[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 43 (Monday, October 25, 2004)]
[Pages 2503-2504]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7835--National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 2004

 October 20, 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

[[Page 2504]]

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.''
    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 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
ninth.
                                                George W. Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 9:08 a.m., October 22, 
2004]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on October 21, and it was published in the Federal Register on 
October 25.