Congressional Candidate Patrick Murray Knows SKILCRAFT Products From His Army Career

Colonel Patrick Murray (U.S. Army – Retired), Republican candidate for Virginia’s 8th Congressional district and opponent of Rep. Jim Moran, visited NIB headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, on Friday, October 29. Murray was briefed by NIB President and CEO Kevin A. Lynch about the AbilityOne Program and NIB’s mission of creating jobs for people who are blind, working through its network of 90 associated nonprofit agencies nationwide. Murray also met with NIB employees at a breakfast meeting.

As a retired U.S. Army Colonel with 24 years of active service, including tours in Iraq, Kosovo, Bosnia, Serbia and Russia, Murray was deployed to Baghdad in 2007 with the Joint Forces Command where he served as part of the Multi National Forces Iraq. His final tour of duty was at the United Nations in New York as a member of the U.S. Military Staff Committee.

Murray said through his years of military service, he had written with “gallons of ink from SKILCRAFT pens” that are produced by people who are blind through the AbilityOne Program. Murray expressed a keen interest NIB’s business, marketplace and competitive environment, as well as in meeting the people at NIB who worked to create jobs and lower the 70% unemployment rate for people who are blind.

Decorated Veteran Helping People Who Are Blind Find Employment

2010 “Oz” Day AbilityOne Award Presented to Master Sgt. Jeffrey Mittman

Alexandria, VA – Army Master Sergeant Jeffrey Mittman, a native of Indianapolis, received national recognition for his commitment to creating employment opportunities for people who are blind. The Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled presented Sgt. Mittman with the 2010 Osborne A. “Oz” Day AbilityOne Awareness Award October 27, 2010.

The prestigious “Oz Day” award is presented to federal employee or member of the military, who demonstrates exceptional service in promoting employment opportunities for people who are blind or severely disabled through the AbilityOne Program.

MSG Mittman, who was blinded and suffered other devastating injuries in Iraq from an improvised explosive device (IED) in 2005, is involved in a training program with the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) through the Warrior in Transition Program; in this role he supports a critical mission of employment for people with disabilities. This program allows him to prepare to transition into a civilian career upon retirement from the Army.

“I decided long ago – I can either own [my experiences] and learn from these experiences or I can let them own me. I chose the former,” said MSG Mittman. “I am humbled and proud to receive this honor, and I am eager to continue to be an example to our wounded warriors and other individuals with disabilities, showing them what is possible.”

“Master Sergeant Mittman is a remarkable individual who has faithfully served our country for more than 20 years, overcome tremendous adversity and now serves as an ambassador to other individuals with disabilities,” said Kevin Lynch, President and CEO of NIB. “NIB is committed to making a difference in the lives of our wounded warriors, so when we had the opportunity to have him on the NIB staff, we jumped at the chance. It should come as no surprise to anyone who knows Jeff that he deserves this recognition.”

The award is named in honor of Osborne A. “Oz” Day, who served as a private citizen member of the Committee from 2005 to 2008. Day provided critical leadership in communicating the AbilityOne message to federal customers and the general public. His service was the culmination of a lifelong career of advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities.

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. For more information regarding how NIB and NIB associated agencies continue to provide opportunities to Americans who are blind, please visit: www.NIB.org

Rep. Jim Moran Says NIB and AbilityOne Mission Needs More Support

Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA), whose congressional district includes National Industries for the Blind's headquarters in Alexandria,VA visited NIB's offices Thursday, October 28 as to meet with members of the leadership team and staff. Moran said he was impressed with the mission to provide employment opportunities for people who are blind. He added that the program, which is self supported by the sale of SKILCRAFT products and services through the AbilityOne program needs more Congressional support to ensure the intent of the Javits Wagner O'Day Act (JWOD) is being followed.

Attending Moran's visit were Jim Omvig, Vice Chairman, The Committee For Purchase From People Who are Blind or Severely Disabled and Jim Kesteloot, a new member of the Committee for Purchase who was sworn in October 27, 2010. Kesteloot is the former CEO of the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind.

NIB invited Moran's Republican opponent for a visit, which will take place on Friday morning, October 29, 2010.

ABVI-Goodwill Call Center is Certified Gold in Green Building

The Call Center facility for the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI)-Goodwill Industries of Greater Rochester Inc. in New York has been awarded LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification through the U.S. Green Building Council for the design, construction, and operation of a high-performance green building as verified by the Green Building Certification Institute.

Opened in 2009, ABVI-Goodwill’s Call Center facility is in the former Rochester Housing Authority (“RHA”) Building and now accommodates an expanded call center operation, as well as warehouse/distribution, e-commerce and maintenance operations.

A two-story addition of 1,540 square feet including an entrance lobby, elevator and stairs was added to the existing 21,220-square-foot building. The expansion of the facility allowed ABVI-Goodwill to consolidate their call center operations and create 40 full-time jobs, including a number of positions for people who are blind or visually impaired.

LEED Gold certification of ABVI-Goodwill’s Call Center was based on a number of green design and construction features, including:

· Use of solar power as an alternative source of electrical energy

· Fundamental commissioning for energy efficiency

· 35 percent of the building’s annual electric coming from wind power

· Landscape design with no need for an irrigation system

· Indoor environmental air quality controlled with CO2 sensors

· Use of VOC-free paint and glue

· Water-saver plumbing fixtures

· Reduced heat island effect with white roof design

· Materials recycled during tear-out

· Use of clean construction site practices as required for LEED credit

· Recycled cubicles and office furniture


For more information, read the attached press release or contact Todd Pipitone at 585-327-5595 or tpipitone@abvi-goodwill.com.

Mike Gilliam Elected President of Consortium of Texas Agencies

Lighthouse Industries for the Blind of Texas (LIBT), the consortium comprised of the 10 NIB associated nonprofit agencies in Texas, unanimously elected Mike Gilliam, CEO of San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind, as its incoming president. Mike replaces Harry Tyler, CEO of El Paso Lighthouse for the Blind.

Dave Wells of West Texas Lighthouse for the Blind in San Angelo was elected as vice president and Jerry Mayfield of Travis Association of the Blind in Austin was re-elected as treasurer.

For more information, contact Dave Wells at 325-653-4231 or d.wells@lighthousefortheblind.org.

Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind Hosts Employment Connection Fair October 26, 2010 MLK Library, DC

CONNECTING THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED COMMUNITY TO CLB

Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind is having an Employment Connection Fair on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. This event is for qualified blind and visually impaired individuals who are seeking employment in the following areas: Switchboard Operator, Mailroom Clerk, Help Desk, Document Prep Specialist. Please come dressed to interview and bring your most current resume.
Location: Martin Luther King Library 901 G Street NW, Washington, DC
Contact: Gail Snider gsnider@clb.org or 240 737 5170
The library is located near Gallery Place Metro Station on 9th Street NW, and Metro Center on 11th Street NW.

1 Store Solutions 15th Anniversary Event for Travis Air Force Base AbilityOne Store

1 Store Solutions blind employees proud to serve their community and America’s military.

Fairfield, CA – For the past 12 years, the employees at 1 Store Solutions Base Supply Center (BSC) at Travis Air Force Base have been providing on-base mission critical support and outfitting the servicemen and women stationed there. Today, these employees, and South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind, reached out to thank the community at Travis for their support and to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the AbilityOne Base Supply Center Program.

U.S. Representatives George Miller (D-CA-07) and John Garamendi (D-CA-10) praised the work of the AbilityOne Program and the 1 Store Solutions BSC.

“The services provided by the employees at the 1 Store Solutions Base Supply Center at Travis Air Force Base play an important role at Travis and for our service men and women,” said Rep. Miller in a statement released to National Industries for the Blind. “Their work is win-win – individuals who are blind are given employment opportunities and 140 government installations receive quality, full service and flexible operations. I look forward to their continued success.”

“On this 15th Anniversary of the AbilityOne Base Supply Center program, we are pleased to congratulate 1 Store Solutions at Travis Air Force Base for their hard work, both on the base, as well as in our communities – and we wish you many years of continued success,” wrote Reps. Miller and Garamendi in a letter presented during a program at the event.

There are 140 AbilityOne BSC facilities located at federal and military installations throughout the United States that provide employment to 300 Americans who are blind or severely disabled. More than 40,000 blind or disabled people are employed through the sale of products and services through the AbilityOne Program.

“1 Store Solutions supports the mission and the service men and women of Travis. It also supports the livelihood of the men and women who, through civilian service support our military,” said Steve Heinecke, National Industries for the Blind (NIB) Vice President of Marketing. “1 Store Solutions and NIB personnel are proud to be included in supporting America’s Armed Forces.”

Also attending today’s event were Col. Robert Eatman, Commander, 60th Mission Support Group, Travis AFB, and Regis Barber, President, South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind.

“We opened our first AbilityOne Base Supply Center in 1997, and have expanded to six different locations since that time,” said Barber. “Working with Travis has been an incredible partnership, and we are extremely proud and honored to be able to serve our servicemen and women in this way.”

About National Industries for the Blind
NIB’s (www.NIB.org) mission is 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.