Happy 19th
Birthday, ADA!
Presidential Proclamation-19th
anniversary of The Americans with Disabilities Act
THE
WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
____________________________
For Immediate Release
July 24, 2009
ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, 2009
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A
PROCLAMATION
Today we celebrate the 19th anniversary of the enactment
of the
historic Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Signed into law on July
26, 1990, this landmark legislation established a clear mandate against
discrimination on the basis of disability so that people with
disabilities would have an equal opportunity to achieve the American Dream.
Our Nation is once again poised to make history
for people with
disabilities. I am proud to announce that the United States will sign
the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in New York
on December 13, 2006. The Convention is the first new human rights
convention of the 21st century adopted by the United Nations, and it
represents a paradigm shift in protecting the human rights of 650
million people with disabilities worldwide. We proudly join the
international community in further advancing the rights of people with
disabilities.
As we reflect upon the past and look toward a brighter
future, we
recognize that our country has made great progress. More than ever
before, Americans with disabilities enjoy greater access to technology
and economic self-sufficiency. More communities are accessible, more
children with disabilities learn alongside their peers, and more
employers recognize the capabilities of people with disabilities.
Despite these achievements, much work remains to be done.
People
with disabilities far too often lack the choice to live in communities
of their choosing; their unemployment rate is much higher than those
without disabilities; they are much likelier to live in poverty; health
care is out of reach for too many; and too many children with
disabilities are denied a world-class education.
My Administration has met these challenges head-on. We
have
launched the "Year of Community Living" to help people with
disabilities
live wherever they choose. We have nearly doubled the funding for the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. I was proud to sign the
groundbreaking Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act and the
Children's Health Insurance Reauthorization Act, which provides health
insurance to millions of additional children. I also lifted the ban on
stem cell more research. These measures demonstrate our commitment to
leveling the playing field for every person with a disability. My
Administration will not rest on these accomplishments, and we will
continue to focus on improving the lives of people with disabilities. I
encourage States, localities, and communities across the country to
cultivate an environment in which the 54 million Americans living with a
disability are valued and respected.
Americans have repeatedly affirmed the importance of protecting
the human rights and dignity of every member of this great country.
Through the steps we have taken, we will continue to build on the ADA
and demonstrate our ongoing commitment to promoting, protecting, and
ensuring the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms
by people with disabilities.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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, 2009, as the
Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. I call on Americans
across our country to celebrate the progress we have made in protecting
the civil rights of people with disabilities and to recognize the step
forward we make with the signing of the United Nations Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Inspired by the advances of the
last 19 years, let us commit to greater achievements in the years ahead.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-fourth
day of July, 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
Thank you. However, while you are at it can you ask Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles to change the letter "J" of driver's license to another less humiliating or embarrassing letter to place on disabled persons license? You see the "J" on my driver's license refers to the disability related equipment that I need in order to driver. However for ALL other drivers, the "J" refers to the driver having a Hardship License: a restricted license for a driver to be on the road ONLY at designated times and routes! I feel that I am being placed in a category of the riskiest and worst drivers on the road simple because I have disability related equipment to drive! This letter J not only offends me, embarrasses me when I need to show it at places like my bank but it also raises negative and unnecessary suspicions by others!
I have addressed this matter on many occasions to the Dept of Transportion, the Dept of Motor Vehicles and to Congressman Peter Defazio 3 or 4 years ago. However, I am still required to carry this derogatory "J" on my driver's license as a reference that once looked up, is only specifically for a simple seat cushion that I use to drive.
It may seem like a silly issue for me to raise, but it seems even more silly to me that a different letter cannot be used and typed in instead of that which has no correlation to all other non-disabled equipment driver's that the "J" is required of or it's reference to.
Thank you for all that you do!
Posted by: Sherrie F. Eugene, Oregon | July 31, 2009 at 07:08 AM