Blind Americans Equality Day, 2011

Proclamation 8739 of October 14, 2011

Blind Americans Equality Day, 2011

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Generations of blind and visually impaired Americans
have dedicated their passion and skills to enhancing
our national life--leading as public servants, penning
works of literature, lending their voice to music, and
inspiring as champions of sport. On Blind Americans
Equality Day, we celebrate the achievements of blind
and visually impaired Americans and reaffirm our
commitment to advancing their complete social and
economic integration.

My Administration is dedicated to ensuring Americans
with disabilities have every opportunity to reach their
full potential. Last year, I signed the Twenty-First
Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act to
set new standards that enable people living with
disabilities to access broadband, digital, and mobile
innovations. To help level the playing field for
employment, we are working to improve the Federal
Government's compliance with Section 508 of the
Rehabilitation Act. Making electronic and information
technology 508 compliant will give applicants with
disabilities a fair chance and allow employees with
disabilities to use necessary tools while on the job.
By taking these steps, my Administration reaffirms its
pledge to openness by making sure that people with
disabilities can better access all the information the
Federal Government has placed online.

This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the
passage of the Randolph-Sheppard Act. For decades, the
legislation has provided openings for blind Americans
to work as vendors on Federal property, creating
meaningful entrepreneurial opportunities and enabling
them to contribute to our economy. These jobs have
enriched the lives of those participating in the
Randolph-Sheppard program and enhanced public
understanding of blindness for those who have
interacted with the program's vendors.

Though we have made progress in the march to equality
for the blind and those with low vision, there is still
more work to be done. In addition to improving access
to technology and employment opportunities, this
January, I signed the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement
Act. This landmark legislation requires electric and
hybrid car manufacturers to add sounds to alert all
pedestrians to the presence of these unusually quiet
vehicles. These provisions will help increase the
safety and independence of blind and visually impaired
Americans.

By joint resolution approved on October 6, 1964 (Public
Law 88-628, as amended), the Congress designated
October 15 of each year as ``White Cane Safety Day'' to
recognize the contributions of Americans who are blind
or have low vision. Today, let us recommit to forging
ahead with the work of perfecting our Union and
ensuring we remain a Nation where all our people,
including those living with disabilities, have every
opportunity to achieve their dreams.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim October
15, 2011, as Blind Americans Equality Day. I call upon
public officials, business and community leaders,
educators, librarians, and Americans across the country
to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies,
activities, and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fourteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.