Disabilities Awareness: Obama does White cane Day

 White House Disability Updates

           Monday, October 15, 2012
                    Disability Updates
                  Note: If you received this email as a forward but would
like to be added to the White House Disability Group email distribution
list, please visit our website at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/disability-issues-contact and fill out the
"contact us" form in the disabilities section, or you can email us at
disability@who.eop.gov and provide your full name, city, state, and
organization.
                  Recent disability announcements include the President
proclaiming October 15, 2012, as Blind Americans Equality Day, the
Department of Labor launching a virtual Workplace Flexibility Toolkit, the
Federal Communications Commission putting internet closed captions rules
into effect, and the Department of Education awarding $24 million in grant
funding to 22 states to improve training systems to help children with
disabilities.

                  Presidential Proclamation -- Blind Americans Equality Day,
2012
                  As business leaders and public advocates, teachers and
scientists, musicians and athletes, and in countless other ways, blind and
visually impaired Americans have profoundly enriched every part of our
national life. Today, we celebrate their innumerable contributions, and we
recommit to guaranteeing equal access, equal opportunity, and equal respect
for all Americans.
                  Read the full text of the proclamation at the following
link:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/10/15/presidential-proclamation-blind-americans-equality-day-2012

                  US Department of Labor launches virtual Workplace
Flexibility Toolkit during National Disability Employment Awareness Month
                  The U.S. Department of Labor has launched its online
Workplace Flexibility Toolkit to provide employees, job seekers, employers,
policymakers and researchers with information, resources and a unique
approach to workplace flexibility. Workplace flexibility policies and
practices typically focus on when and where work is done. The toolkit adds a
new dimension — an emphasis on flexibility around job tasks and what work is
done. Funded by the department's Office of Disability Employment Policy in
partnership with the department's Women's Bureau, the toolkit makes more
than 170 resources easily accessible
                  Read more about the toolkit at the following link:
http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20122014.htm#.UHwpRMU712w

                  Federal Communications Commission Internet Closed
Captioning Rules Went Into Effect September 30
                  Rules requiring distributors of certain Internet video
programming to provide closed captioning to assist viewers who are deaf or
hard-of-hearing went into effect on September 30. Closed captioning is the
visual display of the audio portion of video programming. These Internet
closed captioning requirements were implemented pursuant to the Twenty-First
Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA).
                  Read more about the new rules at the following link:
http://www.fcc.gov/document/internet-closed-captioning-rules-went-effect-september-30

                  $24 Million in Grants Awarded to 22 States to Improve
Training Systems to Help Children with Disabilities
                  The U.S. Department of Education announced the award of
$24 million in grants to 22 states to improve personnel training systems to
help children with disabilities. States receiving grants are: Alabama,
California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota,
Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin.
                  The State Personnel Development Grants Program, authorized
by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), provides funds to
assist states in reforming and improving their systems for personnel
preparation and professional development in early intervention, education
and transition services in order to enhance results for children with
disabilities.
                  Read more about the grant awards at the following link:
http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/24-million-grants-awarded-22-states-improve-training-systems-help-children-disab