Excerpt from President Obama’s Speech at SIGNING OF U.N. CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES PROCLAMATION on July 24, 2009: Americans with disabilities are Americans first, and they are entitled to the same rights and freedoms as everybody else:  a right to belong and participate fully in the American experience; a right to dignity and respect in the workplace and beyond; the freedom to make of our lives what we will.  

Narrator: President Barack Obama spoke these words at a proclamation signing on July 24, 2009.  A job, a home, and control of our personal lives are how we measure the meaning of these rights.  Federal law funds many services to help individuals with disabilities enter the workforce and live independently.  The Client Assistance Program can help you learn about and obtain services for which you qualify.  For more information, contact West Virginia Advocates at 800-950-5250 or go online to wvadvocates.org.

Narrator: Funding for this project is provided by:  Rehabilitation Services Administration, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services, U.S. Department of Education.