Proclamation 9550-International Day of Persons With Disabilities, 2016
Issued 2016-12-02 by Barack Obama
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
President Obama issued this proclamation to recognize December 3, 2016, as International Day of Persons with Disabilities. A proclamation is a formal declaration that can be ceremonial or substantive depending on whether Congress has given the President specific authority to act. This particular proclamation is ceremonial—it expresses support for disability rights without creating new binding rules or requirements.
The proclamation celebrates progress in protecting the rights of people with disabilities, particularly through the Americans with Disabilities Act passed over twenty-five years before. It highlights several existing policies, including protections under the Affordable Care Act that prevent insurance companies from denying coverage based on disability or pre-existing conditions, increased funding for disability education programs, and creation of a Special Advisor for International Disability Rights. The proclamation also notes that the United States signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2009, though the Senate has not ratified it.
This action affects Americans with disabilities by publicly recognizing their rights and the ongoing need to eliminate discrimination. The proclamation calls on all Americans to observe the day and acknowledges that despite progress, more work remains to ensure people with disabilities can fully participate in society. While the proclamation itself doesn't create new legal obligations, it uses the President's platform to draw attention to disability rights both in the United States and globally.
AI-generated summary for educational purposes
Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
This proclamation issues "Proclamation 9550-International Day of Persons With Disabilities, 2016". The stated purpose: "address violence against women and girls around the world—because women with a disability are more likely to experience physical and sexual abuse than women without one." Presidents have issued proclamations since George Washington, and they carry the force of law when grounded in specific statutory authority delegated by Congress. Proclamations can be ceremonial (expressing national sentiment) or substantive (exercising delegated trade, immigration, or emergency powers).
The legal weight of this proclamation depends on the specific statutory authority it invokes. Without statutory backing, a proclamation is merely an expression of executive policy with no binding legal effect on citizens. With statutory backing, it can create enforceable rules — but those rules must stay within the scope of what Congress authorized.
Official Summary
Administration of Barack Obama, 2016 Proclamation 9550—International Day of Persons With Disabilities, 2016 December 2, 2016 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Over a quarter-century ago, the United States enshrined into law the principles of equal access and equal opportunity for people with disabilities through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which upholds the principle that each of us is entitled to a set of fundamental freedoms and protections. This progress has made America a leader in advancing the rights of people with disabilities around the globe. On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we celebrate how far we have come in protecting the rights of those who live with disabilities and recommit to shaping a future in which all members of this community can enjoy their full rights and freedoms. Building on the progress of the ADA, my Administration has taken important steps to remove barriers and eliminate discrimination based on disability. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, individuals can no longer be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition or disability. We have supported increasing funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, reauthorized the Children's Health Insura