2010 NDEAM Message from Assistant Secretary Kathy Martinez

(pictured: Kathy Martinez, Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy, Department of Labor)
Talent Has No Boundaries: Workforce Diversity Includes People with Disabilities

America has been celebrating the contributions of workers with disabilities since creating a National Physical Disability Employment Awareness Week in 1945. Since then, our celebration has been expanded to a month and now emphasizes the contributions of people with all disabilities from all ethnic and racial groups.

It has always been important to celebrate the important contributions of workers with disabilities. But this year we have even more to celebrate, as President Obama is creating change that we can believe in for jobseekers and workers with disabilities. The President signed a landmark Executive Order on July 26 that calls on all Federal Government executive departments and agencies to create goals and action plans for increasing the numbers of people with disabilities hired and to improve retention and return to work of Federal employees with disabilities.

In addition, my office, the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), has been working with DOL's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) on their recent issuance inviting input on how OFCCP can strengthen the affirmative action requirements of the regulations implementing Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It proposes for the first time that federal contractors, who create 25% of the available jobs in America, would be held to benchmarks for hiring qualified workers with disabilities. Until now, it was enough for employers to make attempts to hire qualified workers with disabilities, even if their efforts never resulted in actual job offers.

At ODEP, we strongly that increasing employment for people with disabilities is contingent on increasing more accurate and positive portrayals of people with disabilities in the media. With that in mind, ODEP created two campaigns: Lights, Camera, Access! and the Campaign for Disability Employment.

Lights! Camera! Access! began with a "call to action and best practices" summit that initiated a groundbreaking dialogue between the U.S. Department of Labor and the entertainment and broadcast industries. Co-sponsored by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the Summit brought together participants to explore strategies for improving images and increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities in front of and behind the camera. Lights! Camera! Access! is sponsoring events that promote NDEAM and lay the foundation to increase internship opportunities for college students with disabilities, starting in the summer of 2011.

Also developing interest in disability employment across the country are the public service announcements created by ODEP in conjunction with other national partners for the Campaign for Disability Employment. These announcements, called "What Can You Do?" highlight the contributions of several energetic employed workers with disabilities. The interest in these announcements has been so profound that TV stations have donated over $8 million of free air time to promote this important employment message to employers.

Navy Task Order for Pilot Contract Closeout Services Provided by NIB through AbilityOne Program

Rear Admiral Mark Heinrich, commander, Fleet and Industrial Supply Centers (COMFISCS), a Naval Supply Systems Command Echelon III command, approved the first Navy task order to pilot contract closeout services provided by National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and the AbilityOne Program at a signing ceremony September 17, 2010 at NIB. (Picture: Adml Heinrich (front/left), John Qua, VP Services, NIB at signing ceremony. Rear left to Right: Kim Zeich, Deputy Executive Director, The Committee For Purchase; Kevin Lynch, President & CEO, NIB; Scottie Knott, COO, NIB)

Contract closeout services demonstrate the value of strategic sourcing and the resulting mutually beneficial relationships between government agencies and the AbilityOne Program.

This task order will assist the U.S. Navy in reducing a backlog of contracts requiring closeout actions and facilitate the return of unused obligated contract funds to the government. At the same time, the task order will create seven job opportunities for people who are blind in upwardly mobile, career-oriented positions.

On June 29, 2010, NIB, as the prime contractor and contract closeout program manager for the AbilityOne Program, executed an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract with the Department of the Army for provision of contract closeout support services for all of the Department of Defense (DoD). Closeout services were added to the mandatory AbilityOne Procurement List concurrently with the DoD-wide IDIQ contract. With these essential building blocks in place, individual task orders such as this first Navy order from COMFISCS will flow to the AbilityOne Program via NIB.

The NIB point of contact for Contract Management Support (CMS) services is John Coney, who may be reached at 703-310-0564 or jconey@nib.org.

Servmart AbilityOne Base Supply Center Holds Anniversary Event At Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point

North Carolina Servmart AbilityOne BSC location is proud of service to community by people who are blind or severely disabled

Cherry Point, NC – Since 2007, the employees at Servmart Base Supply Center (BSC) at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point have been providing on-base mission critical support and outfitting the servicemen and women stationed there. Today, these employees, and Eastern Carolina Vocational Centers (ECVC), reached out to thank the community at Cherry Point for their support and to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the AbilityOne Base Supply Center program.

U.S. Representative G.K. Butterfield (D-NC-01) praised the work of the AbilityOne Program and the Servmart BSC in a statement released to National Industries for the Blind.

“The workers who are blind at the Servmart at Cherry Point are an example to us all of what is possible,” said Butterfield. “These are hard-working folks who proudly support our servicemen and women in their need-it-now environment. I am proud of the work they do, and of all the workers who are blind in the AblitiyOne Base Supply Center Program.”

U.S. Senators Kay Hagan (D-NC) and Richard Burr (R-NC) also had words of praise for the employees of the Servmart BSC and the AbilityOne program.

“I want to congratulate all of the employees at the ECVC Servmart Base Supply Center for providing more than three years of exceptional service to the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point,” Hagan wrote in a congratulatory letter.

“I congratulate the AbilityOne Base Supply Centers on their 15th anniversary of operation. I am proud that the first AbilityOne Base Supply Center opened in my home state of North Carolina,” Burr said in a statement to NIB. “The AbilityOne program and the AbilityOne Base Supply Centers are to be commended for their dedication, commitment, and success in eliminating barriers to employment and independence for individuals who are blind or severely disabled.”

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.

“Servmart supports the mission and the service men and women of Cherry Point. It also supports the livelihood of the men and women who, through civilian service support our military,” said Claudia “Scottie” Knott, NIB Chief Operating Officer. “Servmart and NIB personnel are proud to be included in supporting America’s Armed Forces.”

Also attending today’s event were Col. Douglas Denn, Commanding Officer, MCAS Cherry Point, Dennis Fields, NISH COO, Lou Bartalot, President’s Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, Daneel le Roux, ECVC CEO and . James Dupree, ECVC Board Chairman.

“For years, ECVC has been providing employment opportunities for people who are blind or severely disabled,” said Bob Jones, ECVC President. “We are very proud to offer quality, value and convenience to our servicemen and women.”

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.

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.

U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski, Rep. Roscoe Bartlett Support IB Express AbilityOne Base Supply Center Employees at Fort Detrick, Maryland Event

(pictured left: Kevin Lynch, CEO NIB (center) and Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (right) at Ft. Detrick AbilityOne Base Supply Center Celebration

Fort Detrick, MD – Today, the employees of the IB Express AbilityOne Base Supply Center (BSC) were joined by U.S. Representative Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD-06) and personnel from Industries for the Blind – Milwaukee at an event to thank the community of Fort Detrick for their support and to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the AbilityOne Base Supply Center program.

Rep. Bartlett and National Industries for the Blind (NIB) President and CEO Kevin A. Lynch praised the work of the AbilityOne Program and the IB Express BSC during remarks at a short program at Fort Detrick.

“AbilityOne has an unmatched record of success fulfilling their mission of creating a job for every person who wants to work regardless of their disabilities,” said Rep. Bartlett. “In addition to a paycheck, AbilityOne Base Supply Centers and IB Express provide our neighbors who are [blind or] disabled ... with the dignity, confidence and self-worth from doing work that is respected and appreciated in our community. I am particularly grateful for AbilityOne’s tireless support to find meaningful work for our servicemen and women who volunteered to serve in our Armed Forces and were disabled as a result of injuries they suffered while they were working to protect us.”

U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) also had words of praise for the employees of the IB Express BSC.

“Congratulations to the terrific men and women of the AbilityOne Program, who provide such exceptional service day-in and day-out to the Fort Detrick community here at the Base Supply Center. Your outstanding work ethic and customer service skills go a long way toward making the Fort Detrick Base Supply Center a virtual one-stop shop,” wrote Sen. Mikulski.

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.

“IB Express supports the mission and the service men and women of Fort Detrick. It also supports the livelihood of the men and women who, through civilian service support our military,” said Lynch. “IB Express and NIB personnel are proud to be included in supporting America’s Armed Forces.”

Also attending today’s event were Colonel Judith D. Robinson, Commander, U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Detrick, and Eric Beale, Program Liaison, Committee for Purchase from People Who are Blind or Severely Disabled.

“Since 1952, IB-Milwaukee has been providing employment opportunities for people who are blind. Right now, we employ over 200 individuals at manufacturing facilities and BSCs around the country,” said Chuck Lange, President and CEO, Industries for the Blind – Milwaukee. “We operate 10 BSCs located on military bases around the country, and we are very proud to offer quality, value and convenience to our servicemen and women.”

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 (JWOD).

Focusworks AbilityOne Base Supply Center Blind Employees Featured in Arizona Department of Economic Services Video

Arizona Department of Economic Services has a new video featuring the 13th Anniversary of the Focusworks Base Supply Center and the 15th Anniversary of the AbilityOne Base Supply Center program August 31, 2010.

This is a great overview of what the five blind and five sighted employees do in support of America's warfighters 24/7 365 days a year at Luke Air Force Base, Glendale, Arizona.

Focusworks is operated by Arizona Industries for the Blind. The Arizona Department of Economic Development is the state oversight agency for the AIB program and headed by Neal Young, Director.



Arizona Industries for the Blind is an associated non-profit agency that works with National Industries for the Blind on AbilityOne Program contracts that provide employment for people who are blind who make SKILCRAFT products or deliver quality services to the federal government and Department of Defense (DoD).

West Valley View Newspaper Publishes NIB Editorial: Remember Blind Employees

The following Letter to the Editor was published by West Valley View Newspaper on September 7, 2010 following the 15th Anniversary Celebration of Focusworks AbilityOne Base Supply Center at Luke Air Force Base, Glendale, Arizona.

Editor:
As we approach Labor Day, I want to recognize the blind employees, military veterans and other staff who serve America at Luke AFB in Glendale, Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson and Yuma Marine Corp Air Station through the Arizona Industries for the Blind.
On Aug. 31, Focusworks will celebrate the 15th anniversary of the AbilityOne Base Supply Center program at its Luke AFB facility, where blind employees manage mission critical supply stores and outfit service men and women for deployment throughout the world 24/7 365 days a year. They also support local federal agencies including the Army National Guard, the Veteran's Administration, 161st Refueling, ROTC, the U.S Marshals and Homeland Security.

Unemployment runs nearly 70 percent nationwide for people who are blind. Having a good paying job with benefits provides Focusworks' blind employees access to the American dream of economic and personal freedom for themselves and their families in the West Valley communities of Avondale, Goodyear, Glendale and Phoenix.

Labor Day is a fitting time to recognize the contribution Americans who are blind make to our country.

Kevin A. Lynch
President and CEO
National Industries for the Blind

Arizona Industries for the Blind operates the Focusworks BSC, which is one of 140 AbilityOne Base Supply Centers that employ 300 people who are blind. These stores also provide jobs for a workforce of more than 40,000 people who are blind or severely disabled who make SKILCRAFT products and provide services through AbilityOne Program contracts with the federal government and Department of Defense.

National Industries for the Blind is one of two Central Non-Profit Agency (CNA) under the Javits Wagner O'Day Act. NIB's mission is to create personal and economic employment opportunities for people who are blind. NISH also a CNA whose mission is to create employment opportunities for people who are blind or severely disabled. AbilityOne is a government program administered by the Committee For Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled. AbilityOne is the program name for the Javits Wagner O'Day (JWOD) Act.