Congressman Gregg Harper Receives Prestigious AbilityOne Champion Award from Mississippi Industries for the Blind

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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Paul Begala Speaks at NIB/NAEPB Public Policy Forum

Political strategist and CNN contributor Paul Begala entertained the Public Policy Forum dinner crowd Monday, March 8 with humorous stories about partisan politics in Washington, D.C.

Begala started with the code of conduct for today's politics: always attack, never defend.

The dedicated Democrat acknowledged that the November 2010 mid-term elections will see losses for Democrats in both the Senate and the House based on both historical trends and the plunge in popularity of President Barack Obama.

Begala reminded the crowd that during the Clinton Administration, first-term losses to the Democratic Party in the House and Senate were more than double the historical average. Yet, two years later Clinton was re-elected.

His pragmatic outlook is that bipartisanship is rampant because it works in today's political environment. Begala also said America's bipartisanship still produces a better government and political system than any other country in the world.

"Only in America" could a man whose grandfather was a Kenyan goat herder become president. He added that America is also the only country in the world that will give people a chance to improve their lives, which includes people who are blind.

NIB 2009 Annual Report

Read NIB's recently-released FY 2009 Annual Report, available on the NIB website. The report focuses on NIB's initiatives to build relationships with people, communities, customers, Congress, federal partners and the blindness community, as well as efforts to protect the environment. Online formats: PDF and MS WORD

NIB/NAEPB Update from the Public Policy Forum

The 2010 NIB/NAEPB Public Policy Forum agenda for Tuesday, March 9 features top political strategists who will provide insight into how to move your message, engage various constituent groups and build partnerships. RSA Commissioner Lynnae Ruttledge from the Department of Education is the featured luncheon speaker. Click here for the full agenda; speaker bios and more details.
The Public Policy Forum kicked-off with a pre-conference lesson on how to Amplify Your Message on Capitol Hill.

Paul Begala, former advisor to President Clinton and a CNN political commentator, delivered a politically insightful and humorous after-dinner speech to help prepare the Public Policy Forum attendees for the realities of politics in Washington.

We're looking forward to a successful event where we will Make a Difference!

Blind Industries uses grant to buy high-tech equipment

2/10/10: Blind Industries and Services of Maryland will utilize a $24,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation to purchase new adaptive technology, such as Braille displays, scanning software and Braille keyboards for blind and low-vision adults and seniors participating in BISM's rehabilitation programs.

"With this new technology, we can better teach real-world skills to blind adults, seniors and youth all while helping to build their self-confidence," said Christina Davis, senior director of the organization on 3345 Washington Blvd. in Lansdowne.

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland currently offers its Seniors Achieving Independent Living (SAIL) program in its Cumberland, Salisbury and Lansdowne locations.

The organization also offers CORE, an intensive eight-month residential training program for adults, at its Lansdowne location.

Both curriculums provide comprehensive instruction in Braille, adaptive computer technology, cane travel and independent home living.

Both programs area also are free of charge for Maryland residents.

Next year, Blind Industries and Services of Maryland's Youth services division will offer "Independence 2010," a summer residential program aimed at providing blind teens with the life skills to succeed in college, the workplace and at home.

For information, call 410-737-2600 or go to www.bism.org.

Let Freedom Ring: Braille Letters to President Obama Available to Read Online

In the fall of 2009, the National Federation of the Blind put out a call for Americans to write letters to President Barack Obama expressing the role that being able to read and write Braille plays in their lives. The NFB was flooded with
responses from a large variety of blind and sighted people¬from school children to working professionals to retired senior citizens. While there are great variances in the people who responded, one factor was the same: that Braille plays a vital role in their lives and is an important, and indeed necessary, tool for the blind.

We have compiled one hundred of these letters into a book intended to be presented to President Barack Obama. This morning, February 1, 2010, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan received the publication on behalf of the President at a ceremony at the United States Department of Education.

During the event, Secretary Duncan, other dignitaries from the Department of education, and leaders of the NFB heard from various speakers, including Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, two school children, and
a parent of a blind child. Fredric K. Schroeder, First Vice President of the NFB, presented the book and asked the Secretary to support the NFB's goal of doubling the number of school-age children reading Braille. Secretary Duncan left the event with the knowledge that Braille is vital to the independence of the blind. And he
left armed with the book that will give President Obama this knowledge as well.

Let Freedom Ring: Braille Letters to President Barack Obama is now available for you to read on the NFB Web site


Mark A. Riccobono
Executive Director, Jernigan Institute
National Federation of the Blind

San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind One of the Best Companies to Work for in Texas 2010, Only Non-Profit Selected

The San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind was recognized and honored at the Best Companies to Work for in Texas Awards Ceremony on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at the Texas Association of Business 2010 Annual Conference in Austin. The San Antonio Lighthouse ranked 17 in the large company category out of 30 and was the only non-profit in the State to be honored among the top 85.

This statewide survey and awards program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Texas, benefiting the state's economy, its workforce and businesses. The Best Companies to Work for in Texas 2010 list was made up of 85 companies which included the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind.

Companies from across the state entered the two-part process to determine the Best Companies to Work for in Texas. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process in Texas and also analyzed the data and used their expertise to determine the final rankings.

San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind makes SKILCRAFT products and works with National Industries for the Blind and the AbilityOne Program to create and sustain jobs for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Media Contact: Nancy Lipton – Public Relations Director
Phone: 210 531-1533 Cell: 210 771- 5300
Email: nlipton@salighthouse.org