[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 200 (Wednesday, October 18, 2023)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 71729-71730]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-23099]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 200 / Wednesday, October 18, 2023 / 
Presidential Documents

[[Page 71729]]


                Proclamation 10655 of October 13, 2023

                
Blind Americans Equality Day, 2023

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On Blind Americans Equality Day, my Administration 
                celebrates the contributions that people who are blind 
                or low vision have made to our country, and we recommit 
                to creating a more accessible Nation where everyone has 
                the opportunity to realize their full potential.

                More than 33 years ago, the United States Congress 
                passed the Americans with Disabilities Act, a landmark 
                civil rights law that banned discrimination against 
                people with disabilities in many areas of public life. 
                I was proud to co-sponsor that historic bill as a 
                United States Senator, and I am proud of its lasting 
                impact today.

                Despite the progress we have made, we have more work to 
                do to uphold the rights of Americans with visual 
                disabilities. Less than half of blind or low vision 
                Americans are employed. Public services--including 
                online resources--are often designed in ways that make 
                them inaccessible to this community. These are but a 
                few of the many obstacles blind and low vision 
                Americans still face.

                As President, I have made it a priority to end 
                discrimination, increase independence, and expand 
                opportunity for everyone, including Americans who are 
                blind or low vision. Soon after taking office, I issued 
                an Executive Order to establish a Government-wide 
                policy of diversity, equity, inclusion, and 
                accessibility in the workplace to promote fairness in 
                the labor market for Americans with disabilities. This 
                Executive Order directs agencies to find and remove 
                barriers to hiring and promotion for job applicants and 
                employees who are disabled. Further, my Administration 
                ended the practice of paying people employed through 
                the AbilityOne Commission--which creates opportunities 
                for people who are blind or have significant 
                disabilities--less than minimum wage. I have also named 
                the first-ever White House Disability Policy Director, 
                whose team is working every day to defend and advance 
                the rights of Americans with disabilities. I awarded 
                Jos[eacute] Feliciano the National Medal of Arts, 
                recognizing his immense contributions as a guitarist 
                and pioneering artist who has bridged cultures and 
                styles, won Grammy Awards, and opened doors for 
                generations of Latino artists and the heart of our 
                Nation.

                My Administration has also taken steps to increase 
                accessibility for blind and low vision Americans. 
                Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are 
                reducing the barriers that blind Americans face in 
                their daily lives by investing $1.75 billion to improve 
                the accessibility of transit stations across America. 
                Under my direction, the Department of Transportation is 
                working to expand access to transportation for people 
                with disabilities. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice 
                has proposed a new rule that would make State and local 
                governments' web and mobile apps more accessible, 
                enabling those who are blind or low vision to access 
                critical online resources. Additionally, the National 
                Institutes of Health designated people with 
                disabilities as a population with health disparities, 
                which will encourage research specific to the health 
                issues and unmet health needs for blind and low vision 
                Americans. I am also proud to have secured billions of 
                dollars to expand educational opportunities for 
                students with disabilities.

[[Page 71730]]

                This Blind Americans Equality Day, let us rededicate 
                ourselves to defending and strengthening the rights of 
                blind and low vision Americans so each and every person 
                in our Nation has the chance to achieve the American 
                Dream.

                By joint resolution approved on October 6, 1964 (Public 
                Law 88-628, as amended), the Congress authorized 
                October 15 of each year as ``White Cane Safety Day,'' 
                which is recognized today as ``Blind Americans Equality 
                Day,'' to honor the contributions of blind and low 
                vision Americans.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., 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 15, 
                2023, as Blind Americans Equality Day. I call upon all 
                the people of the United States--including all 
                government officials, educators, and volunteers--to 
                mark this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, 
                and activities.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty-three, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                eighth.
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                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2023-23099
Filed 10-17-23; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F4-P