The President of the United States has signed a proclamation (below) declaring October National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The Division of Cultural Affairs encourages you to take this opportunity to learn more about how people with disabilities contribute to our work force both nationwide and in Florida's cultural community as administrators and artists. 

VSA Arts of Florida offers a "Careers in the Arts" Program that encourages persons with disabilities to pursue careers in the arts.  At the link below you can access the VSA Publication, "Putting Creativity to Work: Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities."  This is a great resource to learn more about the possibility for careers in the arts for people with disabilities.  It gives practical advice and provides many resources to encourage people with disabilities to pursue these careers.  http://www.vsafl.org/Employment/

You can also visit the VSA Arts of Florida Artist Registry to see the wide array of working artists with disabilities who make up this diverse and impressive registry.  Biographical information on the artists is also available along with contact information.  The link for the registry is: http://vsafl.org/Artists/list.php.

NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH, 2006

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we pay tribute to the accomplishments of the men and women with disabilities whose work helps keep America's economy strong, and we underscore our commitment to ensuring equal employment opportunity for all of our citizens.

Our country has made great progress to ensure that opportunities are accessible to everyone who is willing and able to work. Access to jobs was significantly expanded in 1990 when President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law. This important legislation has served as a foundation for strengthening our Nation's workforce and advancing innovation and American leadership in a global marketplace.

In 2001, my Administration announced the New Freedom Initiative to build on the progress of the ADA and more fully integrate men and women with disabilities into all aspects of life. The New Freedom Initiative has helped expand access to technology, training, and education for citizens with disabilities. As a result, those who have a disability and seek employment are better able to compete for jobs. To assist in providing additional access to employment opportunities, we have also implemented the "Ticket to Work" program and strengthened training and employment services at One-Stop Career Centers. By visiting DisabilityInfo.gov, individuals and employers can learn more about the Federal Government's disability-related programs and receive information and resources they need to help achieve their personal and professional ambitions.

To recognize the contributions of Americans with disabilities and to encourage all citizens to ensure equal opportunity in the workforce, the Congress, by joint resolution approved as amended (36 U.S.C. 121), has designated October of each year as "National Disability Employment Awareness Month."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, 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 October 2006 as National Disability Employment

Awareness Month. I call upon Government officials, labor leaders, employers, and the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH