National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 2007

Proclamation 8182 of September 28, 2007

National Disability Employment Awareness Month,
2007

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

National Disability Employment Awareness Month is an
opportunity to recognize the contributions and
accomplishments of Americans with disabilities and to
underscore our Nation's commitment to advancing
employment opportunities for all our citizens.

Americans with disabilities strengthen our country's
workforce, and their achievements help keep our Nation
the world's economic leader. Landmark reforms such as
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 have helped
to ensure that individuals with disabilities are better
able to engage in productive work and participate fully
in the life of our Nation. It is important that we
continue to expand on these opportunities for Americans
with disabilities by eliminating the barriers and false
perceptions that hinder them from joining the
workforce. By enhancing the workplace environment for
people with disabilities, employers can help provide
access to jobs that allow these individuals to
demonstrate their potential and realize their dreams.

Since 2001, my New Freedom Initiative has helped
promote the full participation of people with
disabilities in all areas of society, including
education, training, and employment. Programs such as
``Ticket to Work'' and services at One-Stop Career
Centers have helped improve access to employment
training and placement services for individuals who
want to work. Throughout the Federal Government, we
have worked to improve access to jobs for individuals
with disabilities and to promote greater inclusiveness
in the workforce. Individuals and employers can learn
more about the Federal Government's disability-related
programs by visiting DisabilityInfo.gov. We will
continue to build on the progress that has been made
for individuals with disabilities and will work to
ensure that our Nation remains a place of opportunity
for all Americans.

To recognize the contributions of Americans with
disabilities and to encourage all citizens to ensure
equal opportunity in the workforce, the Congress (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
2007 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
twenty-eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord
two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
second.