Employment Awareness Month

For Immediate Release                                                 September 30, 2009

NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH, 2009
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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Fair access to employment is a fundamental right of every American, including the 54 million people in this country living with disabilities. A job can provide financial stability, help maximize our potential, and allow us to achieve our dreams. As Americans, we possess a range of vocational opportunities to make the most of our talents and succeed in a chosen career; those with disabilities are entitled to the same opportunities. During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we recommit ourselves to implementing effective policies and practices that increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

In the past half-century, we have made great strides toward providing equal employment opportunities in America, but much work remains to be done. As part of that continuing effort, we must seek to provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Only then can Americans with disabilities achieve full participation in the workforce and reach the height of their ambition.

My Administration is committed to promoting positive change for every American, including those with disabilities. The Federal Government and its contractors can lead the way by implementing effective employment policies and practices that increase opportunities and help workers achieve their full potential. Across this country, millions of people with disabilities are working or want to work. We must ensure they have access to the support and services they need to succeed.

Recognizing the need for equal employment opportunities, we must also strengthen and expand the educational opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act substantially increased funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and provided more than $500 million for vocational rehabilitation services, including job training, education, and placement. If we are to build a world free from unnecessary barriers, stereotypes, and discrimination, we must ensure that every American receives an education that prepares him or her for future success.

Each day, Americans with disabilities play a critical role in forging and shaping the identity of our Nation. Their contributions touch us all through personal experience or through that of a family member, neighbor, friend, or colleague. We grow stronger as a Nation when Americans feel the dignity conferred by having the ability to support themselves and their families through productive work. This month, we rededicate ourselves to fostering an inclusive work culture that welcomes the skills and talents of all qualified employees.

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, do hereby proclaim October 2009, as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. I call on all Americans to celebrate the contributions of individuals with disabilities to our workplaces and communities, and to promote the employment of individuals with disabilities to create a better, more inclusive America, one in which every person is rightly recognized for his or her abilities and accomplishments.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of September, 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

My commentary:

Recognition is not only a warm and comforting thing, it can be a force for positive and powerful change as well. Those of us with disabilities just want a chance to make a contribution to society and to help support our families and loved ones. Many of us have a lot to offer in the workplace, if we're but given a chance. Thank you, Mr. President, for recognizing us.

-- Lawrence Moore, proud (and yes, disabled) American

Crisis? What Crisis?

The Economy, The New Prez, and the Sinking Ship.

Those of you who remember the 70's as fondly as I do no doubt remember Supertramp's now classic album, "Crisis? What Crisis" -- if not for the incredible songs, then for the imaginative cover artwork.

For those of you unable to view the provided image, the cover shows a young man lounging in a beach chair, with small table nearby (complete with drinks) and a bright yellow umbrella which shields him from the view of pollution and utter desolation behind him. But enough music history. This isn't about music.

I've been watching the Senate this week as they bicker like small children over how to spend something like 800 billion dollars of taxpayer money that doesn't even exist yet. One side wants more tax cuts, the other side wants more public services and bailout relief. As usual, the division runs cleanly down partisan lines. And as Rome burns, the fiddler plays on. But enough politics. This isn't about that either.

I'm sure I don't need to convince most of you that the crisis is real. For the disabled among us who depend on public services for things like shelter, food and transportation, the "economic downturn" is affecting us in a very real and measurable way. At the very time in our nation's history when the need for these services is greatest, their availability is decreasing due to a lack of funds. Clearly, if change is coming, it had better come soon. President Obama seems to get that. Good man.

My parents were alive during the Great Depression, as I'm sure many of yours were. They learned, the hard way, that at some point it's no longer "every man for himself" but rather, "we're all in this together." That's how one survives hard times, and I hope it's a lesson our Congress learns soon. The boat has a hole in it, Congressmen, and the time for blaming each other for the rising water is long past. If we all don't start bailing, we'd better hope we all know how to swim. Those sharks look hungry.

But I said this wasn't going turn political, didn't I? Sorry.

So what lessons can we learn from the Great Depression? For one, such things can be survived. Our parents did it, and so can we. As many social service agencies are now joining forces to share resources, so can we. Start conserving everything. Consolidate trips. Shop smarter. Use coupons. Buy in bulk if that's feasible for you. Wear a sweater. Network with each other. Odds are good that you're already doing many of these things, but think hard and act harder. Don't be afraid to get creative. This too shall pass, but until it does we have to do everything we can to help ourselves. The Government will get around to us eventually...

Oh dang it. I give up. So it's turned political after all. Wanna do something to help? Call your representatives in Congress. Tell them your story. Don't whine, and don't scream... just tell them your story. Then tell them that sooner or later, elections will roll around again. Remind them, gently, that hungry voters tend to not be quite so pleasant at the polls. Tell them to shut up, and start bailing. The "stimulus bill" may not be perfect, but doing something is better than doing nothing.

The Crisis is here. It's time to act.