| For
Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 26, 2005
Anniversary of
the Americans with Disabilities Act, 2005
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
On July 26, 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed into law the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This historic legislation
provides a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination
of discrimination against individuals with disabilities. The ADA
reflects our Nation's faith in the promise of all individuals and
helps to ensure that our Nation's opportunities are more accessible
to all.
The ADA has been
a great success in expanding opportunity for disabled Americans.
By reducing barriers and changing perceptions, the ADA has increased
participation in community life and given greater hope to millions
of Americans.
Because of the
ADA, individuals with disabilities are better able to develop skills
for school, work, and independent living. Our Nation has more to
do to further the goals of the ADA. Through the New Freedom Initiative,
my Administration is building on the progress of the ADA to increase
the use of technology and expand educational and employment opportunities.
We are promoting the development and dissemination of assistive
and universally designed technology. We have launched DisabilityInfo.gov,
an online resource of programs and technology relevant to the daily
lives of people with disabilities and their families, employers,
service providers, and other community members. We also require
electronic and information technologies used by the Federal Government
to be accessible to people with disabilities. To ensure that no
child with a disability is left behind, I have requested $11.1 billion
for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in my FY 2006
budget-- $4.7 billion above the FY 2001 level. The Department of
Education is seeking new and effective ways for students with disabilities
to learn. My Administration is also working to educate employers
on ADA requirements and further assisting persons with disabilities
by implementing the "Ticket to Work" program and strengthening
training and employment services at One-Stop Career Centers. Through
all of these efforts, we are helping individuals with disabilities
have the opportunity to live and work with greater freedom.
On the 15th anniversary
of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we celebrate the progress
that has been made and reaffirm our commitment to fulfilling the
ADA's mission of bringing greater hope and opportunity to our Nation's
disabled Americans.
NOW, THEREFORE,
I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by
virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws
of the United States, do hereby proclaim July 26, 2005, as a day
in celebration of the 15th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities
Act. I call on all Americans to celebrate the many contributions
individuals with disabilities have made to our country, and I urge
our citizens to fulfill the promise of the ADA to give all people
the opportunity to live with dignity, work productively, and achieve
their dreams.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of July, in the
year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
Return to this article at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/07/20050726.html
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