[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

[[Page 4706]]

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