Tom,
I've seen those proclamations before but I forget whose name they 
were over.  Nice thoughts but cynically I wonder how much has really 
changed.  i found all of my jobs, except for the one I have now prior 
to ADA - at at the Center fof Independent Living by law the majority 
of our employees and the executive board must be persons with 
disabilities.  And I know Braille, Duxbury and a few other skills 
that were important to the job so .. .
Not sure if it is any easier out in the real job world or not.
Pat, K9JAU At 03:07 PM 10/17/2013, you wrote:
>     Yeah, Steve, I ultimately hear you in the end, but I think it is at
>least better than nothing.
>
>I don't remember this from previous administrations, but I could be wrong.
>
>Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Steve" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2013 1:05 PM
>Subject: Re: [bardtalk] Presidential Proclamation -- Blind AmericansEquality
>Day, 2013
>
>
> > Big whup, just a bunch of hot air put on paper.
> >
> > A lot of nice platitudes; but until we get disability rights that are more
> > effective than the ADA, true accessibility in terms of affordable adaptive
> > technology and accessible setup menus on home theater and appliances, this
> > is as worthless as the paper its written on.
> >
> > Steve, K8SP
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
> > To: <[log in to unmask]>
> > Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2013 4:52 PM
> > Subject: Fw: [bardtalk] Presidential Proclamation -- Blind
> > AmericansEquality
> > Day, 2013
> >
> >
> >> FYI from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
> >>
> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> From: "Nancy Lynn" <[log in to unmask]>
> >> To: "CCB List" <[log in to unmask]>; "OurPlace List"
> >> <[log in to unmask]>
> >> Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2013 3:07 PM
> >> Subject: [bardtalk] Presidential Proclamation -- Blind AmericansEquality
> >> Day, 2013
> >>
> >>
> >> I got this from another list.
> >>
> >> The White House
> >> Office of the Press Secretary
> >> For Immediate Release
> >> October 11, 2013
> >> Presidential Proclamation -- Blind Americans Equality Day, 2013
> >>
> >> BLIND AMERICANS EQUALITY DAY, 2013
> >> - - - - - - -
> >> BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
> >> A PROCLAMATION
> >>
> >> Blind and visually impaired persons have always played an important role
> >> in
> >> American life and culture, and today we recommit to our goals of full
> >> access
> >> and opportunity. Whether sprinting across finish lines, leading
> >> innovation
> >> in business and government, or creating powerful music and art, blind and
> >> visually impaired Americans imagine and pursue ideas and goals that move
> >> our
> >> country forward. As a Nation, it is our task to ensure they can always
> >> access the tools and support they need to turn those ideas and goals into
> >> realities.
> >> My Administration is committed to advancing opportunity for people with
> >> disabilities through the Americans with Disabilities Act and other
> >> important
> >> avenues. In June of this year, the United States joined with over 150
> >> countries in approving a landmark treaty that aims to expand access for
> >> visually impaired persons and other persons with print disabilities to
> >> information, culture, and education. By facilitating access to books and
> >> other printed material, the treaty holds the potential to open up worlds
> >> of
> >> knowledge. If the United States becomes a party to this treaty, we can
> >> reduce the book famine that confronts the blind community while
> >> maintaining
> >> the integrity of the international copyright framework.
> >> The United States was also proud to join 141 other countries in signing
> >> the
> >> Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2009, and we are
> >> working toward its ratification. Americans with Disabilities, including
> >> those who are blind or visually impaired, should have the same
> >> opportunities
> >> to work, study, and travel in other countries as any other American, and
> >> the
> >> Convention can help us realize that goal.
> >> To create a more level playing field and ensure students with
> >> disabilities
> >> have access to the general education curriculum, the Department of
> >> Education
> >> issued new guidance in June for the use of Braille as a literacy tool
> >> under
> >> the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This guidance reaffirms
> >> my
> >> Administration's commitment to using Braille to open doors for students
> >> who
> >> are blind or visually impaired, so every student has a chance to succeed
> >> in
> >> the classroom and graduate from high school prepared for college and
> >> careers.
> >> We have come a long way in our journey toward a more perfect Union, but
> >> we
> >> still have work ahead. We must fulfill the promise of life, liberty, and
> >> the
> >> pursuit of happiness and expand the freedom to make of our lives what we
> >> will. On this day, we celebrate the accomplishments of our blind and
> >> visually impaired citizens, and we recommit to building a Nation where
> >> all
> >> Americans, including those who are blind or visually impaired, live with
> >> the
> >> assurance of equal opportunity and equal respect.
> >> 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 ensuring we remain a Nation
> >> where
> >> all our people, including those with disabilities, have every opportunity
> >> to
> >> achieve their dreams.
> >> 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 15, 2013, 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 eleventh day of
> >> October, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the
> >> Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
> >> thirty-eighth.
> >>
> >> BARACK OBAMA
> >