AbilityOne: People Make It Happen; National Disability Awareness Month

National Industries for the Blind Celebrating NDEAM at Annual Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio Oct 6-9, 2010

National Industries for the Blind (NIB), the largest employer of people who are blind in the U.S., is celebrating October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month with a nationwide awareness campaign featuring local programs at many of its 89 associated agencies; 140 AbilityOne Base Supply Center stores and special events throughout October.

NIB is honoring 62 “Employees of the Year” who are featured guests at its Annual Training Conference in Cincinnati, OH October 6-9, 2010. Two employees will also be honored as national award winners: Joyce Talbert, Bosma Enterprises, Indianapolis, Indiana will be presented the Peter J. Salmon Employee of the Year Award. Kenneth Fountain, Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind will be presented the Milton J. Samuelson Career Achievement Award. All employees produce SKILCRAFT® products or provide services sold to the federal government or Department of Defense through the AbilityOne Program (see the Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy online).

President Barack Obama (pictured left) issued a presidential proclamation recognizing October 2010 as National Disability Awareness Month. In his proclamation, Obama said: “We also know we are stronger when our country and economy can benefit from the skills and talents of all our citizens. No individual in our Nation should face unnecessary barriers to success, and no American with a disability should be limited in his or her desire to work. During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we renew our focus on improving employment opportunities and career pathways that lead to good jobs and sound economic futures for people with disabilities.”

In July, President Obama signed an Executive Order to increase jobs for people who are blind or disabled: “This directive requires Federal agencies to design model recruitment and hiring strategies for people with disabilities, and to implement programs to retain these public servants. To ensure transparency and accountability, agencies will report on their progress on hiring people with disabilities, and the Office of Personnel Management will post the results of agencies' efforts online for public evaluation.”

The full text of President Obama’s text is available at www.nib-abilityone.blogspot.com or www.nib.org

About the 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. (Pictured left: SKILCRAFT logo and AbilityOne Program logo. SKILCRAFT slogan: Every Purchase Creates Jobs)

Rep Nick Rahall Encourages Access to Employment For People With Disabilities

The more people know about the capabilities of people with disabilities to work and lead independent lives, the more we can shatter stereotypes and misperceptions. However, there is more that needs to be done to spread the awareness that hiring people with disabilities is good for businesses in West Virginia. For example, seven out of ten working age Americans who are blind are not employed.

I know employers can make a difference. Two years ago, one of my staff employees became disabled after a fall in his home injured his spinal cord. He's now back at work and continues on the road to recovery with the help of accommodations I'm pleased to say the House of Representatives made for him at my request. From help getting his transportation past security checkpoints to getting his wheelchair into the office, from designing his workstation to accommodating his workout routine, the House answered my requests affirmatively. This month he was recognized by his state vocational rehabilitation program for his accomplishment of returning to work.

All of us face battles -- many of us face more than our fair share. Today serves as a reminder of that truth. It is a truth we as a society must respect and must work to make right so that people who are willing to work hard are able to do so.

There is more than abundant evidence here that despite all odds against it, the human spirit is a difficult, if not impossible, flame to snuff out. The courage of disabled Americans is contagious and their successes empower all of us to be better individuals, better community members, and better Americans.

Please join me in supporting them through recognizing October as the National Disability Employment Awareness Month and encouraging our communities to give disabled Americans fair access to employment.

Read Rep. Rahall's full statement online at http://www.rahall.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=11&parentid=5§iontree=5,11&itemid=1318

Contact:
Kate Denman
Legislative Assistant
Office of Congressman Nick J. Rahall, II
2307 RHOB
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-3452
(202) 225-9061 (fax)

Georgia Industries for the Blind Celebrates NDEAM and Job Opportunities

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This year's theme, created by the Department of Labor, is Expectation Plus Opportunity Equals Full Participation.

Georgia Industries for the Blind (GIB), is one of 88 agencies across the country that provides employment and personal economic opportunities for people who are blind. This October, they are promoting the Department of Labor's National Disability Employment Awareness month theme: Expectation Plus Opportunity Equals Full Participation.
See the full story in the Bainbridge Georgia News (BainbridgeGA.com)


It's important to remind people that their expectations lead to success. Expectations with "opportunities" create even greater successes. People who are blind or have other severe disabilities are extremely capable workers and good employees. In today's market place, all they really need are opportunities, and equal access employment opportunities.

National Industries for the Blind is an AbilityOne Program agency. NIB and its 88 associated agencies are the single largest employers of people who are blind in the country. Find out more at NIB.org.