Orange County NC Website
,PRF 10 a-OIW <br /> 40. <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> Proclamation Supporting the Implementation of the <br /> Americans with Disabilities Act <br /> WHEREAS, the Orange County Human Relations Commission seeks to prevent and <br /> eliminate bias and discrimination, and to promote the equal treatment of all individuals, <br /> including persons with physical, mental and developmental disabilities; and <br /> WHEREAS, for generations, persons with disabilities were wrongfully denied the ability to <br /> participate in our society, contribute to our economy, or support their families based on their <br /> disability status and therefore were forced to live as second-class citizens being denied <br /> those most basic opportunities; and <br /> WHEREAS, persons with disabilities who were not content to accept the world as it was, <br /> marched, organized and testified, coupling quiet acts of persistence and perseverance with <br /> vocal acts of advocacy, demanded a nation that would declare equality for its citizens with <br /> disabilities; and <br /> WHEREAS, advocates joined in the efforts to remove barriers that were depriving the <br /> nation of the full talents, contributions and differing abilities of tens of millions of Americans <br /> with disabilities; and <br /> WHEREAS, on July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Americans <br /> with Disabilities Act (ADA) which includes a clear and comprehensive mandate for the <br /> elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities and the civil and equal rights <br /> of people with disabilities; and <br /> WHEREAS, the ADA has expanded opportunities for Americans with disabilities by <br /> removing and reducing barriers, changing perceptions, and increasing full participation in <br /> community life; and <br /> WHEREAS, on July 26, 2015, this nation will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the signing <br /> of the ADA, and we recognize that the full promise of the ADA will be reached only if we <br /> remain committed to continue our efforts to fully implement the ADA; <br /> NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, on this the 25th anniversary year of the ADA, that <br /> the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County, North Carolina, celebrates the <br /> contributions that Americans with disabilities and those who are differently-abled have made <br /> to our Nation and to our County, and commits this County and all Departments therein to <br /> reach compliance with the ADA through the adherence to the spirit of the law, by the <br /> removal or reduction of physical barriers preventing full participation in community life, and <br /> by the empowering of persons with disabilities through the provision of equitable treatment, <br /> inclusion and opportunities. <br /> THIS THE 2nd DAY OF JUNE, 2015 <br /> Earl McKee, Chair <br /> Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />