WHITE HOUSE (FULL TEXT)-- As Americans, we understand employment and economic security are critical to fulfilling our hopes and aspirations. We also know we are stronger when our country and economy can benefit from the skills and talents of all our citizens. No individual in our Nation should face unnecessary barriers to success, and no American with a disability should be limited in his or her desire to work. During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we renew our focus on improving employment opportunities and career pathways that lead to good jobs and sound economic futures for people with disabilities.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the landmark civil rights legislation that established a foundation of justice and equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities. In the two decades since its passage, much progress has been made. However, Americans with disabilities continue to be employed at a rate far below Americans without disabilities, and they are underrepresented in our Federal workforce.
My Administration is committed to ensuring people living with disabilities have fair access to jobs so they can contribute to our economy and realize their dreams. To help achieve this goal, I signed an Executive Order in July to increase Federal employment of individuals with disabilities. This directive requires Federal agencies to design model recruitment and hiring strategies for people with disabilities, and to implement programs to retain these public servants. To ensure transparency and accountability, agencies will report on their progress on hiring people with disabilities, and the Office of Personnel Management will post the results of agencies' efforts online for public evaluation. As the Nation's largest employer, the Federal Government can become a model employer by increasing employment across America of individuals with disabilities.
The 21st-century economy demands a highly educated workforce equipped with the technology and skills to maintain America's leadership in the global marketplace. Technology has changed the way we work, and the Federal Government is leveraging emerging, assistive, and other workplace technologies to improve the options available for everyone, including workers with disabilities. We must improve the accessibility of our workplaces and enable the collaboration and contributions of every employee, and that is why I look forward to signing into law the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010. This legislation will greatly increase access to technology, with advances in areas such as closed captioning, delivery of emergency information, video description, and other advanced communications -- all essential tools for learning and working in today's technological society.
Individuals with disabilities are a vital and dynamic part of our Nation, and their contributions have impacted countless lives. People with disabilities bring immeasurable value to our workplaces, and we will continue to address the challenges to employment that must be overcome. This month, let us rededicate ourselves to fostering equal access and fair opportunity in our labor force , and to capitalizing on the talent, skills, and rich diversity of all our workers.
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 2010 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. I urge all Americans to embrace the unique value that individuals with disabilities bring to our workplaces and communities and to promote everyone's right to employment.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.-- BARACK OBAMA
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the landmark civil rights legislation that established a foundation of justice and equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities. In the two decades since its passage, much progress has been made. However, Americans with disabilities continue to be employed at a rate far below Americans without disabilities, and they are underrepresented in our Federal workforce.
My Administration is committed to ensuring people living with disabilities have fair access to jobs so they can contribute to our economy and realize their dreams. To help achieve this goal, I signed an Executive Order in July to increase Federal employment of individuals with disabilities. This directive requires Federal agencies to design model recruitment and hiring strategies for people with disabilities, and to implement programs to retain these public servants. To ensure transparency and accountability, agencies will report on their progress on hiring people with disabilities, and the Office of Personnel Management will post the results of agencies' efforts online for public evaluation. As the Nation's largest employer, the Federal Government can become a model employer by increasing employment across America of individuals with disabilities.
The 21st-century economy demands a highly educated workforce equipped with the technology and skills to maintain America's leadership in the global marketplace. Technology has changed the way we work, and the Federal Government is leveraging emerging, assistive, and other workplace technologies to improve the options available for everyone, including workers with disabilities. We must improve the accessibility of our workplaces and enable the collaboration and contributions of every employee, and that is why I look forward to signing into law the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010. This legislation will greatly increase access to technology, with advances in areas such as closed captioning, delivery of emergency information, video description, and other advanced communications -- all essential tools for learning and working in today's technological society.
Individuals with disabilities are a vital and dynamic part of our Nation, and their contributions have impacted countless lives. People with disabilities bring immeasurable value to our workplaces, and we will continue to address the challenges to employment that must be overcome. This month, let us rededicate ourselves to fostering equal access and fair opportunity in our labor force , and to capitalizing on the talent, skills, and rich diversity of all our workers.
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 2010 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. I urge all Americans to embrace the unique value that individuals with disabilities bring to our workplaces and communities and to promote everyone's right to employment.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.-- BARACK OBAMA
20 comments:
I am glad our president made this proclamation. I hope it does transcend. Giving people with disabilities the opportunity that they are looking for will be great.
This sounds like a very good proclamation. I hope that it's just followed, and instead of seeing employment we do not see law suits for discrimination. So far I have not seen any advertisement in regard to the proclamation. Usually when something new comes out it's advertised on the media, posters, or just from others conversations. Well, I would say this is fairly new let's give it some time.
Reading this information, makes me think about the people that work in my district. There are some people that have disabilities and work there but of course it does not compare to the number of people without disabilities.
By Matilde B. Alaniz
Wow after reading this post I am so grateful and excited for individuals with disabilities. Finally after so long they are being heard, and something is being done to help them gain employment and a sense of independence. For so long people with disabilities have been put aside and left behind when trying to obtain employment, but now we are standing up for them and giving them the opportunity to go out into the work field. Although there are many individuals with disabilities who have obtained an education, they are not given the opportunity to put their skills and what they have learned into good use. This just goes to show how underappreciated these individuals are. But this declaration is just the beginning of a huge change in the work place. I love the fact that President Obama is standing for individuals with disabilities. I am glad he understands that they too can put their part in helping our economy strive.
This proclamation by the President shows the ability of speaking as one voice for all those silenced voices of people with disabilities. Whether people with disabilities have an occupation right now or not, President Obama is being the leading voice for them all. He truly understands that an underemployment problem of persons with disability should be fixed for the better of the American society and to break discrimination barriers. His contribution with the 21st Century Act to assist people with disabilities shows another milestone for all people who will benefit from it. October is the perfect month to honor, value, and advocate for people with disabilities and their right to gainful employment. We should do more in October than just celebrating Columbus Day or Halloween. This October, let's celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month by helping a person with a disability learn about the career options and employments that are out there for them. Let's unite as one and dedicate our time to them. After all, everyone will give thanks for everything next month.
This new declaration by far is one of the most innovative ideas that I think will help a lot of people with disabilities fulfill their lives and dreams. Hopefully there will be great results from this and it will be implemented effectively in all work places. The president made a good point by stating that the federal government would be the one setting the example for employment opportunities for people with disabilities. People with disabilities should be given every opportunity to attain the highest quality of life that they deserve through education and employment. I think that this declaration will help agencies change their minds in a positive way of offering the opportunity to people with disabilities in employment. This will have an impact on societal views and help relieve some of the stigma that people with disabilities have lived with. I think that this will also open channels of communication between different agencies to network and work with one another in order to assist people with disabilities obtain employment.
I am happy to see that there is attention being brought forth to the fact that people with disabilities are an asset to our workforce. I understand that great strides have been made since the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), however I have seen first hand skepticism on behalf of families and employers when facing prospective employees with disabilities. People with disabilities do continue to be underrepresented in our workforce, and it is at the hands of the employers as well as the people with disabilities. I think that what the President is implementing is wonderful. However, what he has proposed is very costly. Therefore, I think that the government should be more proactive in aiding US businesses in their efforts to make appropriate technological accommodations in the workplace. If employers had more access to technology and assistive devices to aid in the success of employees with disabilities, I believe that we would see a more reasonable representation in our workforce.
I like that the President of United States named October 2010 as the National Disability Employment Awareness Month. I believe he knows how important it is for the economy of this country and for the people with all type of disabilities to be included in to the work force. Also Obama said that it is important for the government to increase access to technology, with advances in all kind of communications and necessary tools to help disable people. Giving them the support they need to learn and work with new technology and improve their lives with these advances. The president recognized that disability people are vital, important and a dynamic part of the United States, and their contributions as well as their profound example have impacted countless lives.
I am glad to share that this is the second time I come across this news! Change really is coming in the work forefront for people with disabilites and word is getting around. I ran into the headline informing of this new signed legislation this past weekend on MSN and the first thought that came to mind was, “Finally something is getting done.” We know the issue of differing employment rates between the general population and people with disabilities yet not much has been done nationwide in order to aleviate the problem. I am glad President Obama has stepped up to the plate in Washington D.C. to let it be known that the government IS aware of the problem and is working to fix it. Like previous legislation, it might take one law to build on another but this is definetly a great start in the right direction. I cannot wait to hear soon of numerous big events during the month of October happening to raise awareness of disability employment just like we hear of events for breast cancer awareness.
I commend our president for taking responsibility and setting an example to our other leaders in this country. It seems that although some progress has been made since the Americans Disabilities Act was first initiated twenty years ago, many companies/agencies struggle to employ PWD. The president and this administration plan to lead by example, and hold themselves accountable.
It would be interesting if this then leads to a trend with more state offices/agencies hiring a greater number of people with disabilities. And I agree with Matilde, there should be more recognition from the mainstream media. Especially since so far we are nearly halfway into the month.
It is wonderful to say positive changes for people with disabilities. I hadn't heard about this and am wondering why it hasn't been advertised or talked about in the media. I think it is something to be proud of and also continue to educate the public about. You never know what a person with disabilities go through until you are in their shoes and it must be very difficult. It is great that the President is making this proclamation and I hope that in the near future, others will know about it as well. This is another important step for people with disabilities.
There's no better way to represent people with disabilities and their employment needs than having our President proclaim awareness. Often it takes people in authority or those we admire to bring a change in our minds and consciousness about changes that need to be done that perhaps we were never aware of or just didn't think it was important. What an honor it is to have the opportunity to influence a massive audience and mark changes! I like that he emphasized how the Federal Government was the largest employer of the Nation and the model for other employers to follow if it were to increase job positions for people with disabilities. Changes have a more powerful effect when they move beyond words and into actions.
Many factors should be considered when addressing the complexities of employment (career development) for people with disabilities. I agree with the federal government’s strategy for improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities by concentrating on finding positive consumer assets, developing and overseeing programs that specifically increase employment for people with disabilities, providing increased workplace accessibility thru the inclusion of assistive technologies and empowering consumers to work toward a higher quality of life. However, I feel that one of the most significant concerns for people with disabilities is their ability to afford or maintain the financial responsibilities of medical expenses. If people with disabilities cannot address the overwhelming financial responsibilities imposed by medical expenses, then they may choose to remain unemployed in order to qualify for health-care they cannot afford on their own. This is a realistic and common occurrence for many people with disabilities. It is my conviction that health care reform is the element that is missing from this equation. I believe that the number of people with disabilities in the workforce will change dramatically when people with disabilities are able to qualify for health-care benefits that are not affected by their employment.
The proclamation signed by President Barack Obama making October 2010, National Disability Employment Awareness Month is trully a monument in its final stages of completion. It is such a plesant feeling that the month of October has "meaning". I feel that we have come a long way on improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities. Wow, it is mezmorizing to know that this is the 20th anniversary of the American With Disabilities Act (ADA). I do hope that americans can challenge their present work ideologies and transcend fair and equal access to jobs for persons with disabilities. I have lived in the Rio Grande Valley all of my life and can most certainly attest to getting businesses and other public entities in the Valley to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act has proven difficult. In the past 5 years, the South Texas Civil Rights Project has filed 21 ADA lawsuits against various agencies and businesses. ADA is a legal obligation!
A deserving proclamation- I'm very happy for all those involved.
Sadly there wasn't a mention of this on the daily headline news. Our country is too obsessed with Dancing with Stars and the latest celebrity gossip more than the folks who really matter. Thankfully, President Obama and his administration recognize there are still groups of Americans who are under served when it comes to employment, PWD's being the highest, next to veterans. Seem like this president has made it a point to reach out to these particular groups. This issues should not even be a matter of political wrangling. These groups are ready, willing, and able to work provided they receive the proper guidance in rehabilitation. That's where rehab professionals come in. We cant always rely on legislation to motivate us to make a difference in peoples lives. This should be a daily occurrence. Nonetheless, days such as these, set aside for a historically under served population is a step in the right direction.
I believe that the impact of this proclamation is going to be very positive for people with disabilities(PWD). I perceive that many people are not aware of the problems faced by PWD, and this proclamation will help raise awareness among society. Moreover, I like that this initiative makes emphasis on the skills and talents of PWD.
I. Corbi
Leaving all politcal views aside, what a great move by our President. I cannot imagine how grateful individuals with disabilities must feel and even their families. Knowing that the nation's leader has taken time away from everything else such as the never-ending war we find ourselves in to make this proclaimaion gives great insight of what is to come. Skepticism, negative views, stereotypes, and doubts should now be out the window, or at least lets hope that's what happens, as EOE is enforced even greater. As Obama said the federal government should be leading by example and let's hops that they put forth a great one.
After reading this article I am glad to know that President Obama is standing up for people with disabilities. Our nation should be proud that PWD want to be employed and help out our economic hardship. With the new technology and assistive devises one good be more productive to their employer or company. The stigma attached to PWD is said that they are lazy and do not want to work or keep a job. This statement is very wrong, on the other hand they want to work and be able to live a normal life and contribute to the economic burden. To close my post I would like to quote Obama “I urge all Americans to embrace the unique value that individuals with disabilities bring to our workplaces and communities and to promote everyone’s right to employment”.
This is great that our president of the United States Obama is involved with these organizations and is celebrating it too. This is definitely an extra and needed support that the advocates for people with disabilities need. Someone with a lot of power of making positive changes for people with disabilities! This will help the PWD become more independent. Great proclamation!
Powerful proclamation made by our President. I will agree with others when I say that it’s awesome to know that our president would make a statement specifically for the positive outcome for persons with disabilities. I have to say I was feeling great reading it however I still think to myself that there are so many people that are medically considered to be disabled and rely on social services as their income and are still capable of working however don’t because the government aid check keeps coming in. My statement may seem a little rude but in the field of practice many will hear individuals just saying that is why they choose not to work. I have to admit I still question if the reason there is such a low number of PWD getting hired is because of stigma or because they just don’t want to work. No matter what, I’m glad this was shared with everyone. It makes us (professionals) feel great and say “wow.”
Wow! This a great opportunity to bring the awareness of making progress to hire people with disabilities. The proclamation and publicity are in order to overcome the stereotypes and biases against people with disabilities. I believe that the effect will be positive to promote job placement for people with disabilities.
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