Washington, D.C. Representative Gregg Harper (R-3rd- Mississippi) was recently named an AbilityOne Champion, in recognition of his efforts to create good paying jobs with excellent benefits for people who are blind. Mississippi Industries for the Blind Executive Director Mike Chew presented the AbilityOne Champion award to Rep. Harper at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 10.The AbilityOne Champion Award is given by National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and its associated nonprofit agencies to honor members of Congress for their commitment to the creation of good paying jobs with excellent benefits for individuals who are blind at a net cost savings to the federal government.
NIB and its 88 community-based nonprofit agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services through the AbilityOne Program to the federal government. The program employs nearly 6,000 individuals who are blind, who produce products ranging from military uniforms to pens, and provide services such as call center operations.
“Congressman Harper has been a steadfast supporter of our efforts here in Mississippi to create good paying jobs with excellent benefits for people who are blind,” said Chew. ”He clearly understands that the high unemployment rate among people who are blind is not acceptable and that action is needed now. This award honors his continued support for NIB's efforts to create good paying job opportunities and economic independence for people who are blind.”
“I am honored to receive the AbilityOne Champion award,” said Congressman Harper. “Working together, we can create jobs for blind Mississippians and strengthen the transition for Social Security Disability recipients to become productive members of the American workforce. Additionally, I support the NIB portion of the AbilityOne Program that results in a net cost savings to the federal government.”
About National Industries for the Blind (NIB)
At National Industries for the Blind (NIB), it is our mission to enhance the opportunities for economic and personal independence of persons who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment. NIB and 88 associated agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services through the AbilityOne Program, formerly the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program. For more information regarding how NIB and NIB associated agencies continue to provide opportunities to Americans who are blind, please visit: www.NIB.org.
About the AbilityOne Program
The AbilityOne Program is the largest source of employment for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities in the United States. AbilityOne, a federal program, currently employs more than 40,000 people who are blind or have other severe disabilities on federal contracts. Through two central nonprofit agencies, NIB and NISH (serving people with a range of disabilities), AbilityOne works with more than 600 nonprofit agencies nationwide, and represents $2.3 billion in products and services provided to the federal government. The program meets the needs of federal agencies nationwide. For more information regarding the AbilityOne Program, its employees, or its product and service capabilities, please visit: www.AbilityOne.gov.
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