Blind Equality Day!
Next thing you know we'll be having us a Black equality day, a Women's equality day, a Latino equality day, a Gay equality day and a special Equality Day for all those we forgot.
But still, there is some good stuff in here. It just serves to remind us that we really are not equal...yet.
Carl Jarvis
----- Original Message -----From: Miriam VieniSent: Friday, October 14, 2011 7:49 PMSubject: Blind Equality Day?So glad to read this. Now that I have, I know that I am equal to sighted
people. I don't think I'd be aware of this without a proclamation, however,
at least not from the interactions I have with most sighted people.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14, 2011
Attached is a proclamation signed by the President today
regarding Blind Americans Equality Day, 2011.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release 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.
BARACK OBAMA
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