[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 30 (Monday, August 1, 2005)]
[Pages 1225-1226]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7915--Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 
2005

 July 26, 2005

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    On July 26, 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed into law the 
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This historic legislation 
provides a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination 
of discrimination against individuals with disabilities. The ADA 
reflects our Nation's faith in the promise of all individuals and helps 
to ensure that our Nation's opportunities are more accessible to all.
    The ADA has been a great success in expanding opportunity for 
disabled Americans. By reducing barriers and changing perceptions, the 
ADA has increased participation in community life and given greater hope 
to millions of Americans.
    Because of the ADA, individuals with disabilities are better able to 
develop skills for school, work, and independent living. Our Nation has 
more to do to further the goals of the ADA. Through the New Freedom 
Initiative, my Administration is building on the progress of the ADA to 
increase the use of technology and expand educational and employment 
opportunities. We are promoting the development and dissemination of 
assistive and universally designed technology. We have launched 
DisabilityInfo.gov, an online resource of programs and technology 
relevant to the daily lives of people with disabilities and their 
families, employers, service providers, and other community members. We 
also require electronic and information technologies used by the Federal 
Government to be accessible to people with disabilities. To ensure that 
no child with a disability is left behind, I have requested $11.1 
billion for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in my FY 
2006 budget--$4.7 billion above the FY 2001 level. The Department of 
Education is seeking new and effective ways for students with 
disabilities to learn. My Administration is also working to educate 
employers on ADA requirements and further assisting persons with 
disabilities by implementing the ``Ticket to Work'' program and 
strengthening training and employment services at One-Stop Career 
Centers. Through all of these efforts, we are helping individuals with 
disabilities have the opportunity to live and work with greater freedom.
    On the 15th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we 
celebrate the progress that has been made and reaffirm our commitment to 
fulfilling the ADA's mission of bringing greater hope and opportunity to 
our Nation's disabled Americans.
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and 
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim July 26, 2005, as a day in 
celebration of the 15th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities 
Act. I call on all Americans to celebrate the many contributions 
individuals with disabilities have made to our country, and I urge our 
citizens to fulfill the promise of the ADA to give all people the 
opportunity to live with dignity, work productively, and achieve their 
dreams.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth 
day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
thirtieth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 9:45 a.m., July 28, 
2005]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on July 
29.

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