For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 3, 2003
National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 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
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