[Missouri-l] FW: [leadership] INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

[Peter Altschul]

  _____  

From: leadership-bounces at acb.org [mailto:leadership-bounces at acb.org] On
Behalf Of Eric Bridges
Sent: Thursday, December 03, 2009 11:29 AM
To: leadership at acb.org; announce at acb.org
Subject: [leadership] INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

 

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

December 2, 2009

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, 2009  

 

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA  

 

A PROCLAMATION  

 

This year, in an effort to renew our global commitment to human rights and
fundamental freedoms for persons with disabilities, the United States became
a proud signatory of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities. This treaty represents a paradigm shift, urging equal
protection and benefits for all citizens, and reaffirming the inherent
dignity and independence of the 650 million people living with disabilities
worldwide. Today, as we commemorate the International Day of Persons with
Disabilities, we celebrate the skills, achievements, and contributions of
persons with disabilities in America and around the world. We recognize the
progress we have made toward equality for all, and we rededicate ourselves
to ensuring individuals with disabilities can reach their greatest
potential.  

 

Despite our increased efforts, persons with disabilities continue to face
barriers to their full participation in society. In the United States,
Americans with disabilities still experience discrimination in the workplace
and in their communities. In developing nations, 90 percent of children with
disabilities do not attend school, and women and girls with disabilities are
all too often subjected to deep discrimination. If we are to move forward as
a people, both at home and abroad, all individuals must be fully integrated
into our human family. The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is
a time to renew our commitment to the principles of empowerment, dignity,
and equality. The United States has co-sponsored and joined consensus on the
United Nations General Assembly Third Committee's resolution titled,
"Realizing the Millennium Development Goals for Persons with Disabilities."
We must continue to embrace diversity and reject discrimination in all its
forms, and insist on equality of opportunity and accessibility for all. Let
our efforts remind us that when we work together, we can build a world free
of unnecessary barriers and include every member of our international
community. 

 

NOW,  THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America,
by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of
the United States, more do hereby proclaim December 3, 2009, as
International Day of Persons with Disabilities. I call on all Americans to
observe this day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.  

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of December,
in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.  

 

BARACK OBAMA  

 

 

Eric Bridges

Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs

American Council of the Blind

2200 Wilson Blvd. Suite 650

Arlington, VA 22201 

Phone: (202) 467-5081

Fax: (703) 465-5085

 

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