The White House<\/p>\n
Office of the Press Secretary<\/p>\n
For Immediate Release
\nJuly 25, 2011<\/p>\n
Presidential Proclamation — Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities<\/strong> Generations of Americans with disabilities have improved our country in Each day, people living with disabilities make immeasurable contributions to Despite these advancements, there is more work to be done, and my Through the ADA, America was the first country in the world to Eventual ratification of this Convention would represent another important Equal access, equal opportunity, and the freedom to make of our lives what NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of BARACK OBAMA<\/p>\n Source:<\/p>\n
\n Act<\/strong><\/p>\n
\ncountless ways. Refusing to accept the world as it was, they have torn down
\nthe barriers that prohibited them from fully realizing the American dream.
\nTheir tireless efforts led to the enactment of the Americans with
\nDisabilities Act (ADA), one of the most comprehensive pieces of civil rights
\nlegislation in our Nation’s history. On this day, we celebrate the 21st
\nanniversary of the ADA and the progress we have made, and we reaffirm our
\ncommitment to ensure equal opportunity for all Americans.<\/p>\n
\nthe diversity and vitality of our communities. Nearly one in five Americans
\nlives with a disability. They are our family members and friends, neighbors
\nand colleagues, and business and civic leaders. Since the passing of the
\nADA, persons with disabilities are leading fuller lives in neighborhoods
\nthat are more accessible and have greater access to new technologies. In our
\nclassrooms, young people with disabilities now enjoy the same educational
\nopportunities as their peers and are gaining the tools necessary to reach
\ntheir greatest potential.<\/p>\n
\nAdministration remains committed to ending all forms of discrimination and
\nupholding the rights of Americans with disabilities. The Department of
\nJustice continues to strengthen enforcement of the ADA by ensuring that
\npersons with disabilities have access to community-based services that allow
\nthem to lead independent lives in the communities of their choosing. Under
\nprovisions of the Affordable Care Act, insurers will no longer be able to
\nengage in the discriminatory practice of denying coverage based on
\npre-existing conditions, and Americans with disabilities will have greater
\ncontrol over their health care choices. And last year, I signed an Executive
\nOrder establishing the Federal Government as a model employer for
\nindividuals with disabilities, placing a special focus on recruitment and
\nretention of public servants with disabilities across Federal agencies.<\/p>\n
\ncomprehensively declare equality for citizens with disabilities. To continue
\npromoting these principles, we have joined in signing the Convention on the
\nRights of Persons with Disabilities. At its core, this Convention promotes
\nequality. It seeks to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy the same
\nrights and opportunities as all people, and are able to lead their lives as
\ndo other individuals.<\/p>\n
\nstep in our forty-plus years of protecting disability rights. It would offer
\nus a platform to encourage other countries to join and implement the
\nConvention. Broad implementation would mean greater protections and benefits
\nabroad for millions of Americans with disabilities, including our veterans,
\nwho travel, conduct business, study, reside, or retire overseas. In
\nencouraging other countries to join and implement the Convention, we also
\ncould help level the playing field to the benefit of American companies, who
\nalready meet high standards under United States domestic law. Improved
\ndisabilities standards abroad would also afford American businesses
\nincreased opportunities to export innovative products and technologies,
\nstimulating job creation at home.<\/p>\n
\nwe will are principles upon which our Nation was founded, and they continue
\nto guide our efforts to perfect our Union. Together, we can ensure our
\ncountry is not deprived of the full talents and contributions of the
\napproximately 54 million Americans living with disabilities, and we will
\nmove forward with the work of providing pathways to opportunity to all of
\nour people.<\/p>\n
\nby virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of
\nthe United States, do hereby proclaim Tuesday, July 26, 2011, the
\nAnniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. I encourage Americans
\nacross our Nation to celebrate the 21st anniversary of this civil rights law
\nand the many contributions of individuals with disabilities.<\/p>\n
\nJuly, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence
\nof the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.<\/p>\n