[nfbwatlk] Bush urges federal agencies to puchase from blind, severely disabled, Gov Exec, 2/13/08

[Frederick Driver]

I'm not that familiar with the issue.

But I thought NISH was opposing or competing against the Randolph-Shepherd
program.

Rick

On Thu, 14 Feb 2008, Nightingale, Noel wrote:

>
> > Link:
> > http://www.govexec.com/ads/welcome/?rf=http://www.govexec.com/story_pa
> > ge.cfm?articleid=39288&dcn=e_gvet
> >
> > Text:
> > Bush urges federal agencies to purchase from blind, severely disabled
> >
> > By Robert Brodsky rbrodsky at govexec.com February 13, 2008 The Bush
> > administration is encouraging agencies to purchase goods and services
> > from a federal program employing thousands of blind or severely
> > disabled workers.
> >
> > On Monday, President Bush signed a memorandum reminding federal
> > acquisition executives, purchase cardholders and other procurement
> > officials to utilize the AbilityOne program.
> >
> > "Americans with disabilities make valuable contributions to our
> > country's workforce that help keep our nation the world's economic
> > leader," the president said. "Expanding employment opportunities for
> > these individuals will help ensure that our economy is drawing on the
> > talents and creativity of all its citizens and that America remains a
> > place of opportunity for all. Supporting the AbilityOne Program is one
> > good way to achieve this goal."
> >
> > Bush said that in recent years, AbilityOne has begun embracing widely
> > used business practices such as e-commerce and performance-based
> > contracting.
> >
> > Formerly known as the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program, AbilityOne is a
> > federal initiative that generates jobs and training opportunities for
> > disabled Americans. The program encourages the government to use its
> > buying power to procure an array of products and services provided by
> > nonprofit agencies that employ disabled workers. It is part of the
> > president's New Freedom Initiative, which helps Americans with
> > disabilities integrate into the workforce, according to a spokeswoman
> > for the Office of Management and Budget.
> >
> > The program, administered by an independent federal agency known as
> > Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled,
> > currently employs nearly 43,000 people in more than 600
> > community-based nonprofits nationwide. Purchases from AbilityOne help
> > the agency overcome the 70 percent unemployment rate the blind and
> > severely disabled face, according to the committee. OMB's Office of
> > Federal Procurement Policy enforces federal policies and regulations
> > related to AbilityOne.
> >
> > The president's memorandum coincided with a ceremony on Monday in
> > which 16 people associated with the program were honored at the White
> > House by first lady Laura Bush.
> >
> > Among the honorees were members of the committee -- comprised of 15
> > presidentially appointed members -- as well as employees from the
> > National Industries for the Blind and NISH, two nonprofit groups that
> > help distribute the government's procurement orders under the program.
> >
> > "AbilityOne is not just a federal initiative that works with public
> > and private organizations to generate employment for individuals who
> > are blind or who have other severe disabilities," OMB Director Jim
> > Nussle said at the event. "It helps create opportunities for people
> > who might otherwise not have them, and that's pretty special."
> >
> > Congress created the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program in 1938 to allow the
> > blind to manufacture mops and brooms to sell the federal government.
> > In 1971, under the leadership of the late Sen. Jacob Javits, R-N.Y.,
> > the law was extended to include people who had severe disabilities and
> > to expand the program to also provide services to the government.
> >
> > In 2006, the committee announced that it was changing the name of the
> > program to better convey its employment mission and link participating
> > organizations.
>