Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act

　　2012年《美国残疾人法》周年日纪念

　　By the President of the United State of America

　　美利坚合众国总统

　　A Proclamation

　　公告

　　July 26, 2012

　　2012年7月26日

　　Since our earliest days, America has measured its progress not only by the growth of our borders and the breadth of our economy, but also by how far we reach toward fully realizing the fundamental rights, protections, and freedoms afforded to each of us by our Nation's founding documents. For generations, many Americans with disabilities lived as second-class citizens who were denied those most basic opportunities. Not content to accept the world as it was, they marched and organized and testified, coupling quiet acts of persistence and perseverance with vocal acts of advocacy. And step by step, progress was won. Protections were put into law. And a wave of change swept across our country, tearing down the barriers that kept persons with disabilities from securing their fullest measure of happiness.

　　从建国以来，在衡量自己取得的进步时，美国不仅依据边界的开拓和经济的广度，还审视我们在何种程度上实现了立国文件赋予我们每个人的基本权利以及各项保护与自由。在很长时间里，一代接一代的美国残疾人过着二等公民的日子，被剥夺了这些最基本的机会。由于不愿接受这个世界的现状，他们走上街头、组织起来、公开作证; 他们有时默默努力，锲而不舍，有时大声疾呼，争取权利。他们渐渐地赢得了进步。各项保护内容被纳入法律之中。改革的浪潮席卷美国，摧毁了各种使残疾人无法充分享受幸福的障碍。

　　Today, we mark the 22nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) -- a historic piece of civil rights legislation that affirmed Americans with disabilities are Americans first. When many wrongfully doubted that people with disabilities could participate in our society, contribute to our economy, or support their families, the ADA asserted that they could. Under this landmark law, America became the first Nation to comprehensively declare equality for its citizens with disabilities -- an accomplishment that continues to guide our country toward fulfilling its most essential promises not just for some, but for all.

　　今天，我们纪念《美国残疾人法》通过22周年——这是一部具有历史意义的民权法律，它明确宣告有残疾的美国人首先是美国人。当许多人错误地怀疑残疾人能否参与我们的社会、对我们的经济作出贡献或养活自己的家庭时，《美国残疾人法》断言他们能够这样做。根据这个具有里程碑意义的法律，美国成为世界上第一个全面宣告残疾人公民享有平等权利的国家——这项成就继续引导我国去履行最基本的承诺，不仅是为了某些人，而且是为了所有的人。

　　Yet, despite the gains we have made, independence and freedom from discrimination remain out of reach for too many individuals with disabilities. That is why my Administration continues to build on the legacy set forth by the ADA. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies can no longer deny coverage to children with disabilities because of pre-existing conditions, medical history, or genetic information -- a provision that will be extended to all Americans in 2014. We have fought to protect and strengthen Medicare and Medicaid by improving benefits and opposing proposals that would shift costs to seniors and persons with disabilities. And earlier this year, we established the Administration for Community Living at the Department of Health and Human Services to help ensure people with disabilities have the support they need to live with respect and dignity in their communities, and to be fully included in our national life.