    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 124, 111th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    PROCLAMATION 8574--OCT. 1, 2010

    Proclamation 8574 of October 1, 2010
    National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 2010
    By the President of the United States of America
    A Proclamation

    As Americans, we understand employment and economic security are
    critical to fulfilling our hopes and aspirations. We also know we are
    stronger when our country and economy can benefit from the skills and
    talents of all our citizens. No individual in our Nation should face
    unnecessary barriers to success, and no American with a disability
    should be limited in his or her desire to work. During National
    Disability Employment Awareness Month, we renew our focus on improving
    employment opportunities and career pathways that lead to good jobs and
    sound economic futures for people with disabilities.
    This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities
    Act (ADA), the landmark civil rights legislation that established a
    foundation of justice and equal opportunity for individuals with
    disabilities. In the two decades since its passage, much progress has
    been made. However, Americans with disabilities continue to be employed
    at a rate far below Americans without disabilities, and they are
    underrepresented in our Federal workforce.
    My Administration is committed to ensuring people living with
    disabilities have fair access to jobs so they can contribute to our
    economy and realize their dreams. To help achieve this goal, I signed an
    Executive Order in July to increase Federal employment of individuals
    with disabilities. This directive requires Federal agencies to design
    model recruitment and hiring strategies for people with disabilities,
    and to implement programs to retain these public servants. To ensure
    transparency and accountability, agencies will report on their progress
    on hiring people with disabilities, and the Office of Personnel
    Management will post the results of agencies' efforts online for public
    evaluation. As the Nation's largest employer, the Federal Government can
    become a model employer by increasing employment across America of
    individuals with disabilities.
    The 21st-century economy demands a highly educated workforce equipped
    with the technology and skills to maintain America's leadership in the
    global marketplace. Technology has changed the way we work, and the
    Federal Government is leveraging emerging, assistive, and other
    workplace technologies to improve the options available for everyone,
    including workers with disabilities. We must improve the accessibility
    of our workplaces and enable the collaboration and contributions of
    every employee, and that is why I look forward to signing into law the
    Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010.
    This legislation will greatly increase access to technology, with
    advances in areas such as closed captioning, delivery of emergency
    information, video description, and other advanced communications--all
    essential tools for learning and working in today's technological
    society.

    Individuals with disabilities are a vital and dynamic part of our
    Nation, and their contributions have impacted countless lives. People
    with disabilities bring immeasurable value to our workplaces, and we

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    will continue to address the challenges to employment that must be
    overcome. This month, let us rededicate ourselves to fostering equal
    access and fair opportunity in our labor force, and to capitalizing on
    the talent, skills, and rich diversity of all our workers.
    NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
    America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
    the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 2010 as
    National Disability Employment Awareness Month. I urge all Americans to
    embrace the unique value that individuals with disabilities bring to our
    workplaces and communities and to promote everyone's right to
    employment.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of
    October, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
    fifth.
    BARACK OBAMA