NIB at AbilityOne Day, Defense Supply Center Philadelphia Oct 13

2010 AbilityOne Day at DSCP to Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month

The 2010 AbilityOne Day at Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP) to recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) will be held Wednesday, October 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the DSCP Building 6 Auditorium.

Learn more about National Disability Employment Awareness Month on the NIB AbilityOne blog. Statement by President Barack Obama. Statement by Assistant Secretary of Labor Kathy Martinez.

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)

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)

President Obama Proclaims proclaim October 2010 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month

The White House; Office of the Press Secretary; For Immediate Release October 01, 2010

Presidential Proclamation--National Disability Employment Awareness Month

As Americans, we understand employment and economic security are critical to fulfilling our hopes and aspirations. 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.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the landmark civil rights legislation that established a foundation of justice and equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities. In the two decades since its passage, much progress has been made. However, Americans with disabilities continue to be employed at a rate far below Americans without disabilities, and they are underrepresented in our Federal workforce.

My Administration is committed to ensuring people living with disabilities have fair access to jobs so they can contribute to our economy and realize their dreams. To help achieve this goal, I signed an Executive Order in July to increase Federal employment of individuals with disabilities. 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. As the Nation's largest employer, the Federal Government can become a model employer by increasing employment across America of individuals with disabilities.

The 21st-century economy demands a highly educated workforce equipped with the technology and skills to maintain America's leadership in the global marketplace. Technology has changed the way we work, and the Federal Government is leveraging emerging, assistive, and other workplace technologies to improve the options available for everyone, including workers with disabilities. We must improve the accessibility of our workplaces and enable the collaboration and contributions of every employee, and that is why I look forward to signing into law the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010. This legislation will greatly increase access to technology, with advances in areas such as closed captioning, delivery of emergency information, video description, and other advanced communications -- all essential tools for learning and working in today's technological society.

Individuals with disabilities are a vital and dynamic part of our Nation, and their contributions have impacted countless lives. People with disabilities bring immeasurable value to our workplaces, and we will continue to address the challenges to employment that must be overcome. This month, let us rededicate ourselves to fostering equal access and fair opportunity in our labor force, and to capitalizing on the talent, skills, and rich diversity of all our workers.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 2010 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. I urge all Americans to embrace the unique value that individuals with disabilities bring to our workplaces and communities and to promote everyone's right to employment.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

BARACK OBAMA


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 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.

Department of Defense Encourages National Disability Employment Awareness Month

October 2010 Theme: Talent Has No Boundaries: Workforce Diversity INCLUDES Workers with Disabilities

This memorandum recognizes October as National Disability Employment
Awareness Month (NDEAM). This year's NDEAM theme, "Talent Has No
Boundaries: Workforce Diversity INCLUDES Workers with Disabilities," and
President Barack Obama's Plan to Empower People with Disabilities emphasizes
that men and women with disabilities represent an inclusive and skilled
workforce.

In recognition of NDEAM, DPAP and the Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition, Technology and Logistics is hosting the fourth annual DoD
AbilityOne Program Recognition Ceremony. We ask that each of you take the
time to recognize individuals and teams in your respective organizations who
work to increase business with the AbilityOne Program. Further details are
provided within the memorandum.

Policy Vault:
http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/ops/policy_vault.html


Memorandum:
http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/policy/policyvault/USA005374-10-DPAP.pdf

V/r
ROB JARRETT
Director of Operations
DPAP, USD(AT&L), Pentagon, Rm 3B855
703-695-7146, (FAX) 703-693-1142
DPAP website: http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap

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.

AbilityOne Websites:
www.abilityone.com - an e-commerce site for SKILCRAFT and other AbilityOne Program products operated by NIB, an AbilityOne Program Central Non-profit Agency
www.abilityone.org - operated by NISH, an AbilityOne Program Central Non-profit Agency
www.abilityone.gov - operated by The Committee For Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, the federal agency that owns the AbilityOne name and provides oversight for the AbilityOne Program.

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.

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

President Obama Recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month

President Barack Obama renewed his commitment to promoting positive change for people with disabilities in a proclamation issued September 30, 2009 in recognition of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

President Obama's Proclamation states:

“Each day, Americans with disabilities play a critical role in forging and shaping the identity of our Nation. Their contributions touch us all through personal experience or through that of a family member, neighbor, friend, or colleague. We grow stronger as a Nation when Americans feel the dignity conferred by having the ability to support themselves and their families through productive work. This month, we rededicate ourselves to fostering an inclusive work culture that welcomes the skills and talents of all qualified employees.

My Administration is committed to promoting positive change for every American, including those with disabilities. The Federal Government and its contractors can lead the way by implementing effective employment policies and practices that increase opportunities and help workers achieve their full potential. Across this country, millions of people with disabilities are working or want to work. We must ensure they have access to the support and services they need to succeed.”

Read President Obama's entire NDEAM proclamation at the White House Briefing Room press site.

Throughout October, NIB, NISH and The Committee for Purchase, along with dozens of federal agencies and the Department of Defense, will be honoring the contributions made by people who are blind or have other severe disabilities.

Every celebration in the 31 days of October brings recognition of the success of the AbilityOne Program and all NIB associated agencies along with the people who make SKILCRAFT® products. Thank you for helping to raise awareness and show support for our dedicated employees.

NIB would like to hear from you. Tell us your story. Blog about your event(s)and comment here!

Learn more about AbilityOne at www.abilityone.org. New ideas on how to promote NDEAM? Click here.

For more information, contact Ken Murphy at 703-310-0500 or kmurphy@nib.org.

National Industries for the Blind Jump-Starts Reading Program with Local Community Center

National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is a non-profit organization benefiting those who are blind or visually impaired by helping them gain economic and personal independence through employment opportunites from the AbilityOne program, so when we heard about United We Serve, we knew our employees would be eager to get involved.

In our efforts to contribute, we have joined with the local Charles Houston Community Center in Alexandria, Virginia to initiate a summer reading program designed to encourage kids to read and to help improve literacy rates during the summer months. NIB kick-started this reading program Monday, July 27 through Thursday, July 30, and dubbed it “Education Week”. NIB employees, both blind and sighted, took the time to volunteer with the children at the center.

Throughout the week, they read to children of different ages, ranging from five to 12 years-old. They also took some time to teach the children about what it is like being blind or visually impaired.

Some of the week’s activities included Elizabeth Shelby and Rebecca Bridges, an NIB employee who is blind, reading a twin vision, Braille and print, version of “Helen Keller and the Big Storm” to the kids.

“It’s a little cliché,” Bridges said jokingly, but the children enjoyed listening and learning about the life of Helen Keller. After they finished reading, Bridges passed the Braille book around for the children to see and feel.

During another session at the center, Catherine Schultz and Stephanie Perry took some time after reading to explain to the children what it means to have impaired vision. They gave each child a card that enabled them to visualize the difference stages of vision loss when you hold the card up to your eyes.

The last two days at the center, NIB employees interacted with older age groups and organized activities where the kids were blindfolded to get a glimpse of what it might be like to be blind. “This is really hard,” said one young girl from the center when she tried to stand up.

The kids had a great time with our employees and asked us to come back soon. There’s even a possibility of a field trip to the NIB office to show them what we do and introduce them to technologies that enable people who are blind or visually impaired to hold jobs.
With funds decreasing for the Charles Houston Community Center, we hope to continue our reading program throughout the rest of the summer and into the fall, while also making ourselves available to kids for tutoring.

What we love about the United We Serve initiative is the domino effect that occurs when you do something for the better and help in the community. We are happy to say that we have already inspired others and hope it continues. Two 11-year-old girls from the community center approached Connie Wilson and Derrick Draughn at the end of their reading session hoping to get advice about where they could read to younger children, too.

NIB extends a special thanks to Rebecca Bridges, Elizabeth Shelby, Catherine Schultz, Stephanie Perry, Michelle Hobby, Sarah Schraven, Connie Wilson and Derrick Draughn for volunteering at the Charles Houston Community Center.

Written by: Kelly Jamieson. Kelly helped to coordinate all the readers and gets photo credits for all the pictures during Education Week.

United We Serve Volunteer Experiences Personal Growth By Reading With Kids

First reading service experience today at the Charles Houston Recreation Center here in Alexandria. Arrived a bit early to a beautiful new community center that was spacious and inviting. Somewhat apprehensive as to the size of the group of 7-8 year olds-the larger the group the more chance of that certain restlessness that comes with a large group of kids in the summertime. Especially nervous when I saw that the center’s swimming pool was visible from our designated space in the reading room!

All of my worries melted away however when the kids walked into the room. I could feel their peaceful and inquisitive energy and knew we were on the right track when they seemed happy that Stephanie and I sat cross-legged on the floor with them for the storytelling. This was a great way to start the reading! The group actually moved in closer to us as we began our introductions and we explained a bit about ourselves. They were quiet, attentive and excited by the choice of reading material.

Stephanie explained how she would be reading a large print book and described her visual limitations. We stopped after each page for interactive comments and even corrections in the reading of the material! These kids were avid readers and didn’t miss a beat!
We critiqued the story after reading it which lent another layer of interest to the experience. There were insights into the personality of the main character and also comments about his motivation.

Next, the Braille alphabet was explained as Braille explanation cards were distributed. Types of visual impairments were briefly explained as the children held up the vision simulator cards. Everyone participated! The group was still asking questions and were reticent to leave us. I felt like staying longer myself and was especially moved when one young girl who had been sitting next to me sweetly asked me if I would come back and teach an art class. How could I refuse?

Next time, we will brush up on our fact sheets concerning the history of Braille and Helen Keller. Many of the children seemed interested in the process of Braille. Others knew of Helen Keller and knowing details of her life story would have added spice to the conversations.

I feel grateful to have been able to participate however briefly in the United We Serve initiative and richer for the experience of being with a curious and bright group of children. There was a sense of fun and isn’t that the way to keep our interest going in any endeavor? Children bring this to our lives and they become the teachers and we the students.

Journal account written by: Catherine Schultz, NIB reading volunteer

Education Week Brings Volunteer Readers & Children Together

Blind, Visually Impaired and Sighted Readers Start Reading Program at Local Recreation Center

National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is continuing its efforts to promote participation in President and Mrs. Obama's United We Serve: Summer of Service program. This week is featured as "Education Week" under the Unite We Serve (www.serve.gov).

Eight volunteers from NIB are reading to children ages 5 to 12. In setting up Education Week, NIB discovered a need for ongoing tutoring for children who attend the Charles Houston Recreation Center after school. NIB is now working on a sustained program to meet this need.

5 Presidents Promote Volunteering, Serve.gov

Major League Baseball Supports United We Serve; NIB Reading Program Set for Education Week July 27-Aug 2, 2009.

The United We Serve – Summer of Service program was a prime time hit during the Major League Baseball All-Star game this week. A six minute film on volunteerism featured at President Obama and five former Presidents: Bush, Clinton, Bush and Carter to highlight the importance of community service and ask all Americans to find a volunteer opportunity at Serve.gov.

Nearly a dozen NIB are actively participating in the United We Serve program and NIB is encouraging 100 percent participation from its associated agencies. You can register your agency or yourself as a volunteer at www.serve.gov. Download easy to follow directions on how to log on and register your volunteer effort under NIB at serve.gov.

Education Week is July 27-August 2. NIB is providing readers for children age 5 to 12 at a local recreation center that provides summer programs for 140 mostly low-income and homeless children.
Share what you, your friends or your agency is doing at NIB’s Blog: www.nib-abilityone.blogspot.com. Upload pictures, write about your experience. Share your feels. Tweet with us at www.twitter.com/nibabilityone.

NIB Reading Mentor Kathy Gallagher Kicks Off Summer of Service in Alexandria, VA

Kathy Gallagher is serving as a reading mentor under the United We Serve volunteer program to help children maintain and improve their reading skills during summer vacation. Kathy uses books with one page printed in braille and the other in traditional lettering to read with her students. She also uses an electronic reader that is built into her mobile phone.

On Monday, June 22, 2009, as a kick-off to the United We Serve program (http://www.serve.gov/), Kathy introduced two boys to braille and learned more about the kinds of books and stories they like to read.

Kathy works in the human resources department at the National Industries for the Blind (http://www.nib.org/). She also spoke with 140 Girl Scouts at a day camp in Alexandria, VA on June 23, 2009 discussing how she lives a productive and active life as a person who is blind.

NIB is supporting the President's call to community service by encouraging employees at their headquarters office and more than 85 related agencies nationwide to participate in the United We Serve volunteer program. The program runs from June 22 to September 11, 2009.

Volunteer. Share your experience. Be part of a Summer of Service through United We Serve!