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

 
Proclamation 9525 of October 14, 2016

Blind Americans Equality Day, 2016

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Each day, blind and visually impaired Americans contribute to our
society, refusing to allow anything to hold them back. In order to
ensure more Americans with disabilities can continue participating fully
in our country, we must each do our part to promote equal opportunity
for all. On Blind Americans Equality Day, we reaffirm the inherent
dignity of every human being and recommit to forging a future in which
all Americans, including those with visual impairments, can pursue their
full measure of happiness.

More than two decades ago, one of the most comprehensive civil rights
bills in our history, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), was
signed into law. Ever since, the ADA has helped reduce discrimination
and promote equal access to classrooms, workplaces, and transportation--
and it is imperative that we build on the significant progress we have
made for individuals living with disabilities. Because the unemployment
rate is more than twice as high for Americans with disabilities, my
Administration has worked to improve employment opportunities, including
within the Federal Government where we are leading as a model employer.
Last year, we hosted the White House Summit on Disability and
Employment, which provided resources to help employers hire more
individuals with disabilities. And through the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act, we expanded access to critical services for many
individuals with disabilities, including those who are blind or visually
impaired, so that they can pursue high-quality employment opportunities.
People with disabilities deserve to live their lives in their
communities and raise their families, and earlier this year we hosted a
Forum on the Civil Rights of Parents with Disabilities because every
family, including those headed by people with disabilities, deserves the
chance to reach for a future of ever greater possibility.
Our Nation must continue to promote equal opportunity and the right of
all Americans to live full and independent lives. This begins early on--
we must ensure that any child with a print disability can access the
tools they need to pursue an education. That is why we have worked to
provide appropriate materials and services, including Braille and
Braille literacy instruction, in schools. We are investing in
technologies that provide visually impaired students equal access to the
general education curriculum. We are also working to make the websites
of Government agencies and private companies more accessible to anyone
with a disability--an effort which remains an important priority. And I
have encouraged the Senate to ratify the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate
Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired,
or Otherwise Print Disabled, which will broaden access to a new world of
knowledge for these individuals.
Disability touches us all, and together we can strive to ensure that all
blind and visually impaired individuals face no unnecessary barriers to
success. By providing equal access to resources and technologies and
giving everyone the chance to make of their lives what they will,

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we can continue to advance opportunity and prosperity for all our
people.
By joint resolution approved on October 6, 1964 (Public Law 88-628, as
amended), the Congress designated October 15 of each year as ``White
Cane Safety Day'' to recognize the contributions of Americans who are
blind or have low vision. Today, let us reaffirm our commitment to being
a Nation where all our people, including those with disabilities, have
every opportunity to achieve their dreams.
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 15, 2016, as
Blind Americans Equality Day. I call upon public officials, business and
community leaders, educators, librarians, and Americans across the
country to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and
programs.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of
October, 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