President Obama Proclaims proclaim October 2010 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month

The White House; Office of the Press Secretary; For Immediate Release October 01, 2010

Presidential Proclamation--National Disability Employment Awareness Month

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


About the National Industries for the Blind
NIB’s (www.NIB.org), mission is to enhance the opportunities for economic and personal independence of persons who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment. NIB and 88 associated agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services through the AbilityOne Program.

NIB Supporting Power & Pride ADA Gala July 26, 2010

National Industries for the Blind is helping the Committee on Disability Power & Pride celebrate the 20th anniversary of the historic Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), with a Gala celebration on July 26, 2010 at the National Press Club (529 14th St., NW), 7 to 11 p.m.

"We are proud to support Disability Power & Pride, including its e-Commerce website, which helps to create jobs for people who are blind or have other significant disabilities," said NIB President and CEO Kevin A. Lynch. "This dovetails with NIB's mission to enhance opportunities for economic and personal independence primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment."

This event follows a White House ceremony commemorating the ADA's enactment. Disability community leaders, champions, advocates and supporters in government, business, the arts, service organizations, academia and the grassroots will join together to celebrate the past and reinvigorate a movement to change the future. This Gala is the capstone event for the anniversary day.

Tony Coelho, Power & Pride Chair, and former Congressman who authored the ADA, said in a news release, "The words in our name -- Disability Power & Pride -- distill decades of dreams and struggles, progress and challenges, and reflect the life work of countless leaders, legislators, advocates, and individuals of all ages, abilities and political affiliations. Difficult work lies ahead to deliver on the ADA's promise, but to succeed we must come together, celebrate who we are, and build our political power."

"Each of our nation's civil rights movements have celebrated and built on hard-won legislative victories by reclaiming its identity and the power of 'differentness.' The same holds true with the disability rights movement. Same Struggle. Different Difference. Power & Pride reflects a coming of age for the disability community," says Jonathan Young, Vice Chair of Power & Pride and Chairman of the National Council on Disability, an independent federal agency that makes policy recommendations to the President and Congress.

Disability Power & Pride is a movement (more than a non-profit organization) that mobilizes all Americans with disabilities, their families, friends and allies, to speak (and sign) with one powerful voice. Information is available at www.mypowerandpride.org. Power & Pride's identity campaign, made possible through the support of National Industries for the Blind (NIB), is being launched in connection with the ADA 20th Anniversary. Visit www.mypowerandpride.com.

Power & Pride is grateful for generous support from its sponsors, led by AT&T. "We are pleased to support a leader in the disability community like Disability Power & Pride," said Cindy Brinkley, AT&T Senior Vice President, Talent Development & Chief Diversity Officer. "Throughout our history, AT&T has operated with the understanding that accessibility is more than a word; it is a commitment – to connecting all people with their worlds. That commitment drives innovation at AT&T; it reminds us to rethink possible — and it will continue to define our company and culture for decades to come."

Other Disability Power & Pride Gala sponsors include Esquire Bank, Unifund, NISH, Wounded Warrior Project, CSC, Bender Consulting, United Cerebral Palsy, Disability Opportunity Fund, Intel, The Arc of the United States, American Association of People with Disabilities and VSA.

President Obama Recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month

President Barack Obama renewed his commitment to promoting positive change for people with disabilities in a proclamation issued September 30, 2009 in recognition of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

President Obama's Proclamation states:

“Each day, Americans with disabilities play a critical role in forging and shaping the identity of our Nation. Their contributions touch us all through personal experience or through that of a family member, neighbor, friend, or colleague. We grow stronger as a Nation when Americans feel the dignity conferred by having the ability to support themselves and their families through productive work. This month, we rededicate ourselves to fostering an inclusive work culture that welcomes the skills and talents of all qualified employees.

My Administration is committed to promoting positive change for every American, including those with disabilities. The Federal Government and its contractors can lead the way by implementing effective employment policies and practices that increase opportunities and help workers achieve their full potential. Across this country, millions of people with disabilities are working or want to work. We must ensure they have access to the support and services they need to succeed.”

Read President Obama's entire NDEAM proclamation at the White House Briefing Room press site.

Throughout October, NIB, NISH and The Committee for Purchase, along with dozens of federal agencies and the Department of Defense, will be honoring the contributions made by people who are blind or have other severe disabilities.

Every celebration in the 31 days of October brings recognition of the success of the AbilityOne Program and all NIB associated agencies along with the people who make SKILCRAFT® products. Thank you for helping to raise awareness and show support for our dedicated employees.

NIB would like to hear from you. Tell us your story. Blog about your event(s)and comment here!

Learn more about AbilityOne at www.abilityone.org. New ideas on how to promote NDEAM? Click here.

For more information, contact Ken Murphy at 703-310-0500 or kmurphy@nib.org.