[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 125, 112th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 8726 of October 3, 2011

National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 2011
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Utilizing the talents of all Americans is essential for our Nation to
out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world. During
National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we recognize the skills
that people with disabilities bring to our workforce, and we re

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dedicate ourselves to improving employment opportunities in both the
public and private sectors for those living with disabilities.
More than 20 years after the signing of the Americans with Disabilities
Act, individuals with disabilities, including injured veterans, are
making immeasurable contributions to workplaces across our country.
Unfortunately, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities
remains too high--nearly double the rate of people without
disabilities--and reversing this trend is crucial.
In both the public and private sectors, we can increase employment
opportunities for Americans with disabilities. My Administration is
promoting competitive, integrated employment for persons with
disabilities and the elderly through the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services. Last year, we also recommitted to making the Federal
Government a model employer for people living with disabilities.
Agencies are working harder than ever to promote equal hiring practices
and increase retention, while also expanding internships, fellowships,
and training opportunities.
We know education is the foundation on which all children can build
bright and successful futures, and no child should be limited in his or
her desire to learn. In September, we announced the final regulations
under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part C, to
improve services and outcomes for infants and toddlers with disabilities
and their families during the critical years before kindergarten. The
educational environments we are creating for children with disabilities
will ensure they are better prepared to succeed in the classroom and
later in the workplace, helping position our Nation to lead in the 21st
century.
Work accessibility is just as vital to success as ensuring educational
and hiring opportunities. Public transportation is a service that should
be available to all Americans, and rules instated this year by the
Department of Transportation require new rail construction or
renovations to ensure accessibility to persons with disabilities. We are
also improving our compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
to make Federal agencies' electronic and information technology more
accessible to individuals with disabilities. This will ensure all
applicants have equal opportunity to apply for jobs, and it will allow
Federal employees to better use technology at work.
To win the future, we must harness the power of our Nation's richest
resource--our people. Americans with disabilities, like all Americans,
are entitled to not only full participation in our society, but also
full opportunity in our society. Their talents and contributions are
vital to the strength of our Nation's workforce and our future
prosperity. Together, we can ensure persons living with disabilities
have equal access to employment, and to inclusive, supportive
workplaces.
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 2011 as
National Disability Employment Awareness Month. I urge all Americans to
embrace the talents and skills that individuals with disabilities bring
to our workplaces and communities and to promote the right to equal
employment opportunity for all people.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
sixth.
BARACK OBAMA