View a Washington Post video documentary story on Kenny Fountain, Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind.
Kenny Fountain is the manager of Paper Clips, an AblityOne Base Supply Center (BSC) store located at the U.S. Department of Treasury in Washington, D.C.
Watch the video here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2010/12/23/VI2010122304320.html
The story was posted Decembeer 24, 2010.
Kevin Lynch, President and CEO, National Industries for the Blind, is also featured in the story talking about the AbilityOne Base Supply Center program, as well as Kenny Fountain's recognition as the Milton J. Samuelson Career Achievement Award recipient for 2010.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Americans with disabilities provide vital support to DLA Aviation
Excerpted from a story by Stephen J. Baker, DLA Aviation Public Affairs
Oct. 26, 2010 Read the full story online at DLA Aviation
Retired Army Brig. Gen. J.A. "Yogi" Mangual, a former commander of DLA Troop Support who is now executive vice president and president of Puerto Rico Operations for Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind, talks with DLA Aviation Chief of Staff Marine Col. Robin Gentry about the aerial delivery products they produce for the military. (Photo by Jackie Girard)
Retired Army Brig. Gen. J.A. "Yogi" Mangual, a former commander of DLA Troop Support who is now executive vice president and president of Puerto Rico Operations for Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind, talks with DLA Aviation Chief of Staff Marine Col. Robin Gentry about the aerial delivery products they produce for the military. (Photo by Jackie Girard)
Defense Logistics Agency Aviation hosted its third annual AbilityOne Fair at Defense Supply Center Richmond's Lotts Conference Center Oct. 19, allowing employees to learn more about support the agency and warfighters receive from Americans with disabilities.
"Americans with disabilities currently support DLA Aviation by providing vital support services such as the Base Supply Store, grounds maintenance, custodial services and emergency services dispatch," wrote DLA Aviation Commander Navy Rear Adm. Vince Griffith in a September memo to employees about the event. "AbilityOne sources also provide military unique items to DLA Aviation such as spill cleanup kits, aircraft safety belts, tie-down straps, insulation tape, F-15 explosion suppressant foam segments, and distress marker lights."
An aerial delivery section was the highlight of this year's event, featuring many items that DLA Aviation only recently acquired the responsibility for purchasing.
"About two-and-a-half years ago, we in the Marine Corps were talking about getting rid of our aerial delivery platoons, because the demand wasn't there. I will tell you that since that time, we've quadrupled the amount of aerial delivery in Afghanistan," DLA Aviation Chief of Staff Col. Robin Gentry told attendees during his opening remarks at the event.
He said America's military is using aerial delivery now more than it did in World War II, and that it's significant to DLA Aviation employees and AbilityOne because the program provides many of the related supplies.
"All those cargo straps, skid boards and high-velocity parachutes bring food, water and ammunition to Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen on the battlefield," he said. "That is your link to what we do every day to sustain the military."
Retired Army Brig. Gen. J.A. "Yogi" Mangual, who commanded DLA Troop Support in Philadelphia from 2000-2002, represented Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind at AbilityOne Day. He serves the North Carolina-based organization as both its executive vice president and president of Puerto Rico Operations.
About National Industries for the Blind
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 89 associated agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services through the AbilityOne Program, established by the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act. www.nib.org
Oct. 26, 2010 Read the full story online at DLA Aviation
Retired Army Brig. Gen. J.A. "Yogi" Mangual, a former commander of DLA Troop Support who is now executive vice president and president of Puerto Rico Operations for Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind, talks with DLA Aviation Chief of Staff Marine Col. Robin Gentry about the aerial delivery products they produce for the military. (Photo by Jackie Girard)Retired Army Brig. Gen. J.A. "Yogi" Mangual, a former commander of DLA Troop Support who is now executive vice president and president of Puerto Rico Operations for Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind, talks with DLA Aviation Chief of Staff Marine Col. Robin Gentry about the aerial delivery products they produce for the military. (Photo by Jackie Girard)
Defense Logistics Agency Aviation hosted its third annual AbilityOne Fair at Defense Supply Center Richmond's Lotts Conference Center Oct. 19, allowing employees to learn more about support the agency and warfighters receive from Americans with disabilities.
"Americans with disabilities currently support DLA Aviation by providing vital support services such as the Base Supply Store, grounds maintenance, custodial services and emergency services dispatch," wrote DLA Aviation Commander Navy Rear Adm. Vince Griffith in a September memo to employees about the event. "AbilityOne sources also provide military unique items to DLA Aviation such as spill cleanup kits, aircraft safety belts, tie-down straps, insulation tape, F-15 explosion suppressant foam segments, and distress marker lights."
An aerial delivery section was the highlight of this year's event, featuring many items that DLA Aviation only recently acquired the responsibility for purchasing.
"About two-and-a-half years ago, we in the Marine Corps were talking about getting rid of our aerial delivery platoons, because the demand wasn't there. I will tell you that since that time, we've quadrupled the amount of aerial delivery in Afghanistan," DLA Aviation Chief of Staff Col. Robin Gentry told attendees during his opening remarks at the event.
He said America's military is using aerial delivery now more than it did in World War II, and that it's significant to DLA Aviation employees and AbilityOne because the program provides many of the related supplies.
"All those cargo straps, skid boards and high-velocity parachutes bring food, water and ammunition to Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen on the battlefield," he said. "That is your link to what we do every day to sustain the military."
Retired Army Brig. Gen. J.A. "Yogi" Mangual, who commanded DLA Troop Support in Philadelphia from 2000-2002, represented Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind at AbilityOne Day. He serves the North Carolina-based organization as both its executive vice president and president of Puerto Rico Operations.
About National Industries for the Blind
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 89 associated agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services through the AbilityOne Program, established by the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act. www.nib.org
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Increased Internet Accessibility Improves Job Opportunities for Blind
National Industries for the Blind Calls for Increased Internet Accessibility at Department of Justice Public Hearing
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, National Industries for the Blind (NIB) called for websites and information services to become more accessible to people who are blind, noting this will broaden employment opportunities for a community that experiences 70 percent unemployment nationwide.
(pictured: Thomas Panek, Vice President of Relationship Management at NIB testifies at DOJ Internet Accessibility Hearing Dec 16, 2010)
Thomas Panek, Vice President of Relationship Management at NIBand a person who is blind, offered expert testimony at a public hearing convened by the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., on Proposed Revisions to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
“As the largest employer of people who are blind, NIB and its associated agencies have demonstrated that with the necessary levels of accessibility and training, people who are blind are more than capable of succeeding in high-skill careers,” said Panek. “Anything that employers and business owners can do to increase access to websites and information services will not only create more jobs, but also help people who are blind to live more independent lives.”
“As technology rapidly develops, so must our solutions to improving access for people who are blind,” said Kevin A. Lynch, President and CEO of NIB. “NIB looks forward to working with the federal government and private sector businesses to identify ways to not only increase access, but to also leverage technology and the Internet to create career opportunities for people who are blind.”
(Pictured: DOJ hearing panel, left; Thomas Panek, NIB VP, testifying, right)
During his testimony, Panek noted NIB would like to act as a partner and a resource to the federal government for developing a workable framework for website access for people who are blind.
In particular, Panek detailed NIB’s support for enhancing website accessibility for people who are blind, while recognizing that regulation should only be enacted where self-regulation is insufficient.
Specific recommendations supported by NIB and offered by Panek include:
* Business owners must work with members of the blind community to identify what access areas could be improved upon, and the potential solutions that exist.
• To the extent that it is possible, and reasonable, the public and private sector should use the latest accessibility standards.
• The Department should adopt requirements that revise the ADA Title II regulation to establish accessibility requirements for making the services, programs, or activities offered by state and local governments to the public via the Internet accessible.
• The Department should adopt the technical standard of WCAG 2.0 double A standard for website accessibility for public accommodations, namely entities covered by Titles II and III of the ADA.
• The Department should maintain and provide a list of resources for technical assistance to assist public entities in complying with proposed rules.
NIB believes these recommendations will help increase website accessibility and career opportunities for people who are blind.
“Seven out of 10 persons who are blind are unemployed. Every step we take to improve accessibility is a step toward lowering that unemployment rate,” Panek concluded. “As NIB has clearly demonstrated, with the necessary technology and training resources in place, people who are blind are capable of completing the job.”
###
About National Industries for the Blind
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 89 associated agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services through the AbilityOne Program, established by the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act. www.nib.org
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, National Industries for the Blind (NIB) called for websites and information services to become more accessible to people who are blind, noting this will broaden employment opportunities for a community that experiences 70 percent unemployment nationwide.
(pictured: Thomas Panek, Vice President of Relationship Management at NIB testifies at DOJ Internet Accessibility Hearing Dec 16, 2010) Thomas Panek, Vice President of Relationship Management at NIBand a person who is blind, offered expert testimony at a public hearing convened by the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., on Proposed Revisions to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
“As the largest employer of people who are blind, NIB and its associated agencies have demonstrated that with the necessary levels of accessibility and training, people who are blind are more than capable of succeeding in high-skill careers,” said Panek. “Anything that employers and business owners can do to increase access to websites and information services will not only create more jobs, but also help people who are blind to live more independent lives.”
“As technology rapidly develops, so must our solutions to improving access for people who are blind,” said Kevin A. Lynch, President and CEO of NIB. “NIB looks forward to working with the federal government and private sector businesses to identify ways to not only increase access, but to also leverage technology and the Internet to create career opportunities for people who are blind.”
(Pictured: DOJ hearing panel, left; Thomas Panek, NIB VP, testifying, right)During his testimony, Panek noted NIB would like to act as a partner and a resource to the federal government for developing a workable framework for website access for people who are blind.
In particular, Panek detailed NIB’s support for enhancing website accessibility for people who are blind, while recognizing that regulation should only be enacted where self-regulation is insufficient.
Specific recommendations supported by NIB and offered by Panek include:
* Business owners must work with members of the blind community to identify what access areas could be improved upon, and the potential solutions that exist.
• To the extent that it is possible, and reasonable, the public and private sector should use the latest accessibility standards.
• The Department should adopt requirements that revise the ADA Title II regulation to establish accessibility requirements for making the services, programs, or activities offered by state and local governments to the public via the Internet accessible.
• The Department should adopt the technical standard of WCAG 2.0 double A standard for website accessibility for public accommodations, namely entities covered by Titles II and III of the ADA.
• The Department should maintain and provide a list of resources for technical assistance to assist public entities in complying with proposed rules.
NIB believes these recommendations will help increase website accessibility and career opportunities for people who are blind.
“Seven out of 10 persons who are blind are unemployed. Every step we take to improve accessibility is a step toward lowering that unemployment rate,” Panek concluded. “As NIB has clearly demonstrated, with the necessary technology and training resources in place, people who are blind are capable of completing the job.”
###
About National Industries for the Blind
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 89 associated agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services through the AbilityOne Program, established by the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act. www.nib.org
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