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. Lamborn, Sen Udal, Sen Bennet Support AbilityOne BSC Program in Colorado

Airmen and women at Peterson AFB served at Envision Xpress AbilityOne Base Supply Center

Peterson Air Force Base Base Supply Store Celebrates Service to Military and Community

Colorado Springs, CO – Today, U.S. Representative Doug Lamborn (R-CO-05), praised the work of the AbilityOne Program and the Envision Xpress Base Supply Center (BSC) in a letter of recognition presented at a 15th anniversary celebration at Peterson Air Force Base. The Envision Xpress BSC employs people who are blind or disabled who support the mission of airmen and women stationed at Peterson AFB.

Envision Xpress is one of 140 AbilityOne BSCs that provide mission support for ongoing base operations and outfitting for military deployments.

“On this 15th anniversary, I’m proud to recognize your part in AbilityOne’s invaluable efforts toward training and employment for more than 300 Americans who are blind across the country. I congratulate Envision Xpress for the good work they are doing not only on Peterson AFB, but throughout the country,” Rep. Lamborn said in a letter presented by John Herd, Rep. Lamborn’s regional director.

Colorado’s two U.S. Senators also had words of praise for the employees of the Envision Xpress BSC.

U.S. Senator Mark Udall (D-CO) also noted in a letter: “I am especially proud that Envision has effectively operated the AbilityOne Program here at Peterson Air Force Base, providing quality products to our service men and women and their families.”

U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) emphasized the need for equal opportunities to jobs that the AbilityOne Program provides people who are blind: “The services that the Base Supply Center provides are invaluable tools for helping America’s visually impaired and severely disabled citizens find work.”

These employees produce and ship products, provide services and staff the BSCs. Additionally, service-disabled veterans and military dependents have the opportunity to join the AbilityOne team, where they continue to play a valuable role in the military communities that are significant to their lives.

“I know from meeting these employees that this isn’t just a job to them,” National Industries for the Blind President and CEO Kevin A. Lynch said. “Envision Xpress employees work every day to enhance their personal freedom, their economic freedom and America’s freedom as they support Peterson Air Force Base’s mission.”

The first BSC was opened in October 1995, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, by LC Industries, an NIB associated agency. Now there are 140 locations on military bases and in federal buildings in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

“It has been incredible to watch not only this location grow, but also the aspirations of the employees at the Peterson BSC. I am honored to be a part of this great program that provides employment opportunities for people who are blind,” said Envision, Inc. CEO Linda K. Merrill-Parman, who oversees the operations of 15 BSCs around the country.

Government customers support the employment of qualified professionals who are blind or have other severe disabilities with each purchase under the AbilityOne Program.

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, established by the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act.

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

Senators Dodd and McCain Introduce Blind Persons Return to Work Act

National Federation of the Blind Applauds a Common Sense Work Incentive for Blind Social Security Beneficiaries

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today introduced the Blind Persons Return to Work Act of 2010 (S. 2962), which will allow blind Americans to more easily transition from Social Security beneficiaries to income-earning, productive members of the workforce.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), a program meant to provide disabled Americans with financial support, actually discourages blind people from seeking employment by placing a limit on how much money they can earn. This bipartisan bill replaces the monthly earnings limit with a gradual phase-out, allowing blind beneficiaries to systematically replace benefits with earned income.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "The National Federation of the Blind applauds Senators Dodd and McCain, both longtime champions of the blind and other Americans with disabilities, for advancing this wise proposal to reform SSDI so it encourages blind beneficiaries to reach their full employment potential rather than discouraging them from becoming independent. Blind people want to work, and with the right training and opportunity, we can hold any job to which we aspire. Yet because of misconceptions about blindness and flawed work incentives in the SSDI program, 70 percent of working age blind people are unemployed or underemployed. We are confident that the Blind Persons Return to Work Act will reduce the fear of termination of benefits resulting from an earnings limit and encourage blind people to join the workforce."

"Blind Americans deserve the opportunity to enter or advance in the workplace without their financial security being threatened by some arbitrary limit," said Senator Dodd. "We can encourage blind people to take advantage of their independence without punishing them for working. This bipartisan legislation will protect millions of Americans from the risk of losing their benefits and will increase the productivity of our workforce."

"Blind Americans who want to work should not be discouraged from pursuing employment," added Senator McCain. "The current SSDI program creates government dependency and limits achievement among blind people. The proposed reform will enable blind Americans to fully reach their potential in the workforce and reduce the overall number of federal beneficiaries, saving tax dollars for every American."

This legislation joins its House companion bill, H.R. 886, introduced by John Lewis (D-GA) earlier this year.

About the National Federation of the Blind

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.

SOURCE National Federation of the Blind