[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 130, 114th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9509 of September 30, 2016

National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 2016

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Americans with disabilities are entitled to the same rights and freedoms
as any other citizen--including the right to dignity and respect in the
workplace. Too often in our Nation's history, individuals with
disabilities have been eager to work but could not find a job, facing
red tape, discrimination, or employers who assumed that disabled meant
unable and refused to hire them. This month, we recognize the
significant progress our country has made for those living with
disabilities, and we honor the lasting contributions and diverse skills
they bring to our workforce.
As a country, we must acknowledge that despite the great strides we have
made in the 26 years since the passage of the Americans with
Disabilities Act--a groundbreaking civil rights law aimed at eliminating
discrimination and assuring equality for people with disabilities--we
still have far to go to raise awareness of discriminatory obstacles that
individuals with disabilities encounter in employment. Today, the labor
force participation rate for Americans with disabilities is less than
one-third the rate of those without a disability, and the unemployment
rate is more than twice as high for individuals with disabilities. To
break down more of these barriers, we must expand access to the
resources and training necessary for Americans with disabilities to
succeed in the workplace.
My Administration is dedicated to upholding our Nation's promise of
equal opportunity for all and advancing employment for people with
disabilities in every community. I am proud that the Federal Government
is leading by example as a model employer, now employing more Americans
with disabilities than at any time in the last 30 years. Last year, the
White House hosted a Summit on Disability and Employment to share
resources for employers to hire more individuals with disabilities and
effective strategies for recruitment, retention, hiring, and promotion
of these employees. Two years ago, through updates to Section 503 of the
Rehabilitation Act, we took action to increase the representation of
workers with disabilities in the Federal contractor workforce. In 2014,
I signed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to help the
Departments of Labor and Education build initiatives that advance
employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities--and

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earlier this summer, we issued new regulations to provide greater and
more inclusive career development and training opportunities for anyone
facing barriers to employment.
This year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month theme focuses
on the importance of inclusion, especially when it comes to business,
opportunity, and innovation. When we diversify our workforce we create
opportunities for growth and improvement--not just for those with
disabilities, but for everyone. This month, let us continue striving to
forge a future where workplaces are more inclusive and where employees
are more accepted for who they are. And because we know that our country
does best when everyone gets their fair shot, let us keep working to
ensure no one is left behind or unable to pursue their dreams because of
a disability.
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 2016 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.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of
September, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
first.
BARACK OBAMA