That's a big 10 4. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2013 12:05 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