Presidential Documents

62387

Federal Register 

Vol. 69, No. 205

Monday, October 25, 2004

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 7835 of October 20, 2004

National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 2004

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation

Americans with disabilities are active and contributing members of our 

society, and they must have the opportunity to develop the skills they 

need to compete and obtain jobs in the 21st century workforce. By reducing 

physical barriers and false perceptions, our country meets our commitment 

to millions of Americans with disabilities, and benefits from their talents, 

creativity, and hard work. 

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) has brought about important progress in our Nation. Under my Administration’s New Freedom Initiative, we continue to work to ensure that people with disabilities can participate fully in the workplace and all aspects of community life. Through 

funding for new technologies and innovative resources, we are changing 

old ways of thinking and fulfilling the Federal Government’s commitment 

to opportunity for every citizen. 

The New Freedom Initiative has helped enable individuals with disabilities 

to access assistive technologies. My Administration has invested in research 

and development for new technology. We have expanded the Department 

of Defense’s Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program, which provides 

Federal employees with disabilities greater access to electronic and information technology. The Department of Labor launched DisabilityInfo.gov in 

2002, an online resource that streamlines access to information about Federally sponsored employment, job accommodations, transportation, State and 

regional assistance programs, technology, and other programs relevant to 

the daily lives of individuals with disabilities. 

We must foster a better understanding of ADA requirements and increase 

dialogue and cooperation between the business and disability communities. 

Through the New Freedom Small Business Initiative, the Department of 

Labor and the Small Business Administration are educating small business 

owners about the benefits of hiring people with disabilities and helping 

adult workers with disabilities acquire the skills and resources needed to 

become small business owners. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is releasing user-friendly information on how the ADA applies to particular disabilities in the workplace and providing free ADA workshops 

offering employment-related services and information sessions for small businesses. My Administration is implementing the ‘‘Ticket to Work’’ program, 

which allows Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability 

beneficiaries who want to work to choose their own employment-related 

services. The Department of Labor and other agencies are also improving 

the capacity of community One-Stop Career Centers to provide training 

and employment services to people with disabilities. 

To recognize the contributions of Americans with disabilities and to encourage all citizens to ensure equal opportunity 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.’’

62388 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 205 / Monday, October 25, 2004 / Presidential Documents 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States 

of America, do hereby proclaim October 2004 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. I call upon Government officials, labor leaders, 

employers, and 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 twentieth day 

of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the IndependBilling code 3195

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ence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-ninth.

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