[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 41 (Monday, October 13, 2003)]
[Pages 1326-1327]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7712--National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 2003

 October 3, 2003

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    For Americans with disabilities, employment is vital to 
independence, empowerment, and quality of life. During National 
Disability Employment Awareness Month, we recognize the many 
contributions citizens with disabilities make to our society, and we 
reaffirm our commitment to helping them achieve their full inclusion in 
our workforce.
    Today, Americans with disabilities enjoy improved access to 
education, government services, public accommodations, transportation, 
telecommunications, and employment opportunities. The landmark Americans 
with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) removed barriers and enabled many 
individuals with disabilities to find more opportunities to use their 
gifts and talents in the workplace. This progress has made our Nation 
stronger, more productive, and more just. People with disabilities still 
encounter challenges, however, to their full participation in American 
society.
    In February 2001, I launched the New Freedom Initiative to address 
these challenges, to fulfill the promises of the ADA, and to move toward 
an America where all our citizens live and work with dignity and 
freedom. This comprehensive plan is helping Americans with disabilities 
learn and develop skills, engage in productive work, make choices about 
their daily lives, and participate fully in their communities.
    A key component of the New Freedom Initiative is our commitment to 
integrate individuals with disabilities into the workforce. We have made 
substantial progress toward this goal. The Department of Justice has 
established an ADA Business Connection, a series of meetings between 
representatives of the business and disability communities to open 
dialogue that will promote greater understanding and increased voluntary 
compliance with the ADA. Also, the Department of Health and Human 
Services and the Social Security Administration are implementing the 
landmark ``Ticket to Work'' program that makes it possible for millions 
of Americans with disabilities to no longer have to choose between 
having a job and receiving health care. And the Department of Labor has 
established two national technical assistance centers on workforce and 
disability that offer training, technical assistance, and information to 
improve access for all in the workforce development system.
    By working together to open doors of opportunity for citizens with 
disabilities, we can help fulfill the promise of our great Nation.
    To recognize the contributions of Americans with disabilities and to 
encourage all citizens to help ensure their full inclusion in the 
workforce, the Congress, by joint resolution approved August 11, 1945, 
as amended (36 U.S.C. 121), has designated October of each year as 
``National Disability Employment Awareness Month.''
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, do hereby proclaim October 2003 as National Disability 
Employment Awareness Month. I call upon government officials, labor 
leaders, employers, and all the people of the United States to observe 
this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of 
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
eighth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., October 7, 
2003]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on October 
8. This item was not received in time for publication in the appropriate 
issue.

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