News & Events Archive

2010 brings considerable excitement to the AbilityOne® Program and its extensive network, so October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is always a good time to share positive news with our customers. 40K+ individuals with significant disabilities are employed through AbilityOne, and Elwyn CA is privileged and proud to have 32 jobs (plus coaches & management) available through 6 federal contract sites. Over the past year, the Contracts Dept. has worked diligently with other agencies to add Veterans (with disabilities) to the AbilityOne teams. As an outstanding partner, DOD has committed to doubling the available Ability One jobs around the US. Elwyn CA has elevated its overall expertise and labor skill sets so we are well positioned to participate in most any federal, state or commercial venture; we too are eager to double (& more) jobs for Elwyn workers!

On Oct. 13, Elwyn CA staff and a Veteran contract employee worked an information booth in front of the Commissary on the Joint Forces Training Base (JFTB), Los Alamitos. A digital frame scrolled photos of the many success stories at Elwyn, and we offered tasty, fresh from the oven donuts. It really struck this writer as to the diversity of reasons people use the JFTB from around SoCal. And a humorous tidbit, don’t take donuts when military employees are prepping for their physicals… but none were left!

Tatyana Alvarez of the Military Personnel Services in Bldg 15 (JFTB), stopped by. Elwyn workers clean their building, and Tatyana pledged that she would put the word out about Elwyn. Tatyana also shared information with the DSPS at Cypress College for potential students who may have interest in job opportunities with Elwyn. Tatyana “likes the work Elwyn clients do, and she looks forward to seeing them.”

The AbilityOne Program operates under the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act. The last substantial amendments to the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act were enacted in 1971. After several years of tenacious effort, we finally have H.R.5983 and a fantastic opportunity to modernize all facets. This is crucial in order to align the law and the AbilityOne Program with today's federal acquisition environment In addition to creating more jobs for people who are blind or have significant disabilities, the bill will: increase the quality and diversity of employment opportunities for people who are blind or have significant disabilities; promote greater employment integration and upward mobility; streamline procurement processes, and allow the Ability One Program to be more responsive to our Federal customers; and ensure more focused oversight and compliance for all. Please encourage your Congress representatives.

Elwyn CA is most appreciative for all of its many customers, supporters, and quality staff. Together we have “made a difference” and turned disadvantage into wonderful success stories around Southern CA. This is also a time of celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the ADA. In these challenging times, when so many social services are under threat, we must continue to advocate for those with softer voices.

San Diego – During a busy lunch hour at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) on Monday, October 18, Congresswoman Susan Davis visited with developmentally disabled employees who provide food services to the Marine recruits and maintain the grounds at MCRD.  The workers are employed by The Arc of San Diego and are responsible for serving up to 18,000 meals a day.

“The collaboration between the Marines at MCRD and the staff at The Arc of San Diego to provide on-site job training for people with developmental disabilities is so impressive,” said Davis, Chairwoman of the House Military Personnel Subcommittee.  “It was inspiring to see this face-paced, valuable program in action during peak lunch hour at one of our nation’s largest Marine Corps mess halls.”

The Arc of San Diego is the largest local nonprofit providing services to people with disabilities, employing 275 people with developmental challenges to work at the Arc’s MCRD Food Service Program.  Arc employees not only provide meal service to Marine recruits, but are also are responsible for grounds maintenance for MCRD.  More than 90% of the employees performing these services are individuals with disabilities, making MCRD one of the largest employment sites of people with disabilities in San Diego County.

Congress has designated October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month in recognition of the millions of Americans in our workforce with disabilities.

Representatives from the Center for Human Services in Marshall appeared for a proclamation signing Tuesday, Sept. 28, by Mayor Pro Tem Ronald Duvall. Duvall proclaimed October as AbilityOne Month in the City of Marshall. This falls in conjunction with National Disability Awareness Month, designated by Congress.

AbilityOne is a federal program that instigated the month-long celebration of community-based organizations that provide employment opportunities to "people who are blind or have other significant disabilities." These celebrated organizations also provide a variety of goods and services to the Federal Government.

According to the proclamation, the Center for Human Services provides "employment opportunity and training for 17 people" with disabilities. It also reads that the center's services help these employees have more community participation and market their skills into public and private sector jobs.

Pictured in the back row from left to right are Carl Anthony Bloodgood, Program Coordinator Brandy Welch, Executive Director Ann Graff, Stacy Fisher and Vocational Trainer Rachel Fizer. The front row includes Gina Chevalier and Mayor Pro Tem Ronald Duvall.

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HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – It takes people with all different kinds of backgrounds, educations, skill sets and abilities to ensure Hill Air Force Base is able to accomplish its multi-faceted mission.

That’s the message to be shared at a picnic and recognition event being held here from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 6 when the base honors its 148 employees whose jobs are the result of the AbilityOne Program.

AbilityOne is the nation’s largest single provider of jobs for people who are blind or have significant disabilities, and it’s executed by two organizations – the National Industries for the Blind and NISH-Creating Employment Opportunities for People with significant disabilities.

Both organizations help enable people who are blind or have other significant disabilities acquire job skills and training, receive wages and benefits, and gain greater independence and quality of life.

“Hill Air Force Base is a proud supporter of the AbilityOne Program and its noble mission of providing employment opportunities for people who are blind or have significant disabilities,” said Col. Roger Westermeyer, Ogden Air Logistics Center director of contracting. “America is known as the land of opportunity and the AbiltyOne Program expands that dream.”

The base works with four different AbilityOne vendors. Enable Industries employs two people who conduct laundering services for the 309th Maintenance Wing; the Pioneer Adult Rehabilitation Center employs 134 disabled persons who perform custodial services and scrap metal recovery for Hill AFB and the 309th MXW; IB Milwaukee employs approximately six employees and operates IB Express, the base supply and individual equipment store; and Utah Industries for the Blind also employs six visually impaired people who perform package reclamation for the 309th MXW.

“Providing a hand up instead of a handout is what this program is all about, and we need to personally thank each and every one of our AbilityOne employees for a job well done,” Col. Westermeyer said.

The Commission voted unanimously to affirm recommendations developed to ensure AbilityOne employees will have: choice, improved workplace supports, competitive wages, a clear career path, ongoing training, and several other key benefits.

These core principles of the Quality Work Environment (QWE) initiative reflect the Commission’s vision to enable all people who are blind or have other significant disabilities to achieve their maximum employment potential.

The QWE initiative has identified and will promote best practices for the program’s nationwide workforce of more than 45,000 Americans. This will involve the more than 600 nonprofit agencies participating in the AbilityOne Program through two Central Nonprofit Agencies: National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and NISH (Creating Employment Opportunities for People with significant disabilities). Commission Vice Chairperson James Omvig said, “This is an important day in the history of the AbilityOne Program, demonstrating our commitment to continuously enhance the work environment for people who are blind or have significant disabilities.”

Since the Commission’s approval of the QWE concept one year ago, a collaborative “bottom up” process commenced, led by a QWE Steering Group composed of nonprofit agency (NPA) leaders and subject matter experts. NIB President and CEO Kevin Lynch and NISH President and CEO Robert Chamberlin sent a memorandum from Tina Ballard, Commission Executive Director and CEO, to the newly appointed steering group with the charge to take the leadership role in developing the Central Nonprofit Agencies’ QWE business plan recommendations. The steering group completed an intensive review of current best practices from industry and nonprofit organizations. As a result of this research, the steering group developed an implementation plan including core and progressive guidelines that foster a quality work environment.

These guidelines, supported by management tools, will be made available to all AbilityOne NPAs, allowing them to initiate their own individual work plans. The Commission envisions all AbilityOne nonprofit agencies will embrace and adopt individual QWE plans by the end of 2012. As part of this process, NIB and NISH will assist their producing nonprofit agencies in implementing this initiative. “The outstanding effort of this group will live on well into the future, opening the doors of opportunity wider for Americans who are blind or have other significant disabilities, “said Andrew Houghton, Chairperson, Commission.

The Commission formally recognized the QWE leaders – Neil Romano, former Department of Labor Committee representative; John Miller, Steering Group Chairperson and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin; and Robert Hanye, Steering Group Vice Chairperson and CEO of the Association for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment in Binghamton, NY for their efforts. Other recognized steering group participants include Jerry Bettenhausen, CEO of Work Services Corporation, Wichita Falls, TX; Rich Gilmartin, Vice President for Vocational Services at Lakeview Center in Pensacola, FL; Lou Moneymaker, CEO of BOSMA Enterprises in Indianapolis, IN; Steve Perdue, CEO of Grand Traverse Industries of Traverse City, MI; Deborah Russell, Manager for Outreach and Employment Services for Walgreens in Deerfield, IL; Bobby Silverstein, Counsel for the American Congress of Community Supports and Employment Services, also known as ACCSES, in Washington, D.C.; and Robin Usalis, CEO of the Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Cincinnati, OH.

Left to Right: Houghton, Romano, Miller, Hanye, Omvig

AbilityOne was a proud sponsor of the 6th Annual American Freedom Festival, a concert event that features country music performers, actors, athletes, and other supporters, joining together to help support our nation's wounded warriors and their families. This year's success enabled the foundation to make contributions exceeding $200,000 and nearly $600,000 in total giving since its inception.

The resources will be used for a mentoring program designed for military through Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Easter Seals Community One Source program that connects veterans to community resources during their reintegration. Contributions will also aid in vision restoration for America's heroes, build and renovate homes for veterans, provide support to families of fallen and recreation and rehabilitation services to wounded warriors and their families. Contributions directly benefit the men and women that serve our great Nation and their families.

6th Annual American Freedom Festival - Posting of the Colors by Virginia National Guard's Commonwealth Challenge Program. National Anthem by 16 year U. S. Army veteran, Christal Rheams

ARLINGTON, VA (October 22, 2009) — As part of October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the AbilityOne Program’s central nonprofit agencies are releasing survey results that demonstrate Americans have an overwhelming acceptance of the work capabilities of people who are blind or have other significant disabilities. The survey findings also reveal that more than 9 out of every 10 Americans believe the government should support employment opportunities for people who are blind or have significant disabilities through programs like the federal AbilityOne Program.

This strong support of people who are blind or have other significant disabilities is an important part of the efforts to reduce the unemployment rate of people with disabilities, which hovers above 60 percent.

The national survey, conducted by Greenfield Online®, polled 1,000 Americans, 18 to 55+ years of age, regarding their attitudes and views on the capabilities of people who are blind or have other significant disabilities to create quality products and services. Results show:

• Broad acceptances among Americans that people who are blind or have other significant disabilities are capable of producing quality products and services. A majority of people surveyed (78%) said they were comfortable with the ability of people who are blind or have other significant disabilities to make quality products and services for the government and armed forces. Additionally, 8 out of 10 people surveyed (80%) said they were comfortable with the government and armed forces purchasing products and/or services made by people who are blind or have other significant disabilities.
• Overwhelming belief that the government should support employment opportunities for people who are blind or have significant disabilities. Almost all of the survey respondents (92%) say it is important for the government and armed forces to support the AbilityOne Program.

“The AbilityOne Program is the largest source of employment for people who are blind or have significant disabilities” said Robert Chamberlin, President and CEO of NISH – Creating Employment Opportunities for People With Significant Disabilities.
Products for purchase from AbilityOne include: military uniforms, TSA gloves, airplane parts, office and computer supplies as well as environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies. Services include call center management, contract administration, fleet management, laundry services, as well as warehouse, shipping.

“Federal workers should feel incredibly empowered that they are helping to reduce unemployment for people who are blind or have significant disabilities by purchasing AbilityOne products and services. With every purchase of AbilityOne products and services, federal procurement officers literally create and sustain more jobs for this underutilized, but qualified workforce,” Kevin Lynch, President and CEO, National Industries for the Blind said.

The AbilityOne Program is supported by the National Industries for the Blind and NISH, both organizations work with more than 600 nonprofit agencies to provide employment for people who are blind or have significant disabilities. These agencies sell products on through the federal procurement process to 40 government agencies, the U.S. military; and, to military personnel through 133 base supply centers. In Fiscal Year 2008 alone, $2.3 billion of products and services purchased by the Federal Government were made by people who were blind or have other significant disabilities by way of the AbilityOne Program.

In an effort to educate the American public about issues related to disability and employment, Congress designated each October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).

About the AbilityOne Program
Providing employment opportunities to more than 50,000 people, the AbilityOne Program is the largest single source of employment for people who are blind or have significant disabilities in the United States. More than 600 participating nonprofit organizations employ these individuals and provide quality goods and services to the Federal Government at a fair market price. The AbilityOne Program is administered by the Commission, an independent federal agency, with assistance from National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and NISH-Creating Employment Opportunities for People with significant disabilities. For more information, please visit www.abilityone.org.

About NIB
In the United States, seven out of 10 people who are blind are not employed. 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 its associated agencies serve as the largest program responsible for the employment of people who are blind through the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act. For more information regarding how the NIB and NIB-associated agencies continue to provide opportunities to blind Americans, please visit: www.NIB.org.

NISH–Creating Employment Opportunities for People with significant disabilities
Established in 1974, NISH (www.nish.org) is one of two national, nonprofit agencies designated by the Commission to support nonprofit agencies (NPAs) participating in the AbilityOne Program.
NISH provides employment opportunities for people who are blind or have other significant disabilities by procuring federal contracts for goods and services. Headquartered in Vienna, Va., NISH supports a network of more than 1,300 NPAs as well as federal customers by providing legislative and regulatory assistance, communications and public relations materials, information technology support, engineering and technical assistance, and extensive professional training needed for successful contract management.

The AbilityOne Program, the largest single source of U.S. employment for people who are blind or have other significant disabilities, has entered into a strategic alliance with the USO, which is known internationally for providing morale-boosting activities and services to the military. This alliance will leverage the resources of both organizations to assist and empower service members, particularly wounded warriors.

AbilityOne will provide volunteer support through its network of more than 50,000 employees – 2,000 of whom are veterans – for the USO Operation Enduring Care program, which works to meet the recovery needs of injured service members and their families. For their first joint initiative the two organizations will pack “comfort kits” for injured troops coming directly from the battlefield.

This declaration marks the beginning of a long-term relationship between AbilityOne and the USO, and responds to the United We Serve initiative, the call to action by President Obama and the First Lady to encourage volunteerism.

“This strategic alliance brings together two organizations that are dedicated to addressing the challenges that wounded warriors face and providing resources to help them recover,” said Tina Ballard, executive director and CEO, Commission, the independent federal agency that administers the AbilityOne Program. “This partnership also sends the very important message that AbilityOne employees are capable and dedicated to serving our soldiers who sacrifice for our freedoms. On behalf of AbilityOne employees located nationwide, we are proud to lend our time and our talents to support USO programs and we look forward to a long and beneficial relationship.”

“We enthusiastically welcome AbilityOne’s participation in Operation Enduring Care and appreciate the organization’s efforts to help us support the welfare and social needs of American service members,” said Sloan Gibson, USO president and CEO. ”Moving forward, we hope that AbilityOne employees will continue to serve not only as USO volunteers, but also as a source of inspiration to wounded veterans.”

The Commission and its two central nonprofit agencies – National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and NISH – will officially launch the strategic alliance later this month at Fort Belvoir in Virginia. In addition to AbilityOne employees assembling the first Operation Enduring Care comfort kits, Ballard; Gibson; Bob Chamberlin, president and CEO, NISH; and Kevin Lynch, president and CEO, NIB, will deliver remarks.

The U. S. Border Patrol, in support of the President’s effort to support “going green,” will implement its first advanced ECO friendly carwash system for the Indio Station. The U.S. Border Patrol has contracted the AbilityOne Program to provide a car wash service for the Border Patrol’s government vehicles. AbilityOne creates employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities. The contract will be performed by Sheltering Wings Corporation, from Blythe, California.

Sheltering Wings Corporation provides employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Sheltering Wings Corporation will utilize advanced ECO friendly equipment from a company known as Steam Jet Systems.

The Steam Jet cleaning system uses only one cup of water per vehicle. Additionally, the system uses biodegradable materials so there is no chemical runoff or harmful bi-products. This is the first time a Steam Jet System will be used in the continental U.S. by Border Patrol.

The new system will service 10 to 14 vehicles in a four hour period. On average, the Indio Station washes 60 vehicles per month. Implementing the new service will conserve water and employ people with disabilities.

Mississippi Goodworks (the contract arm of Goodwill Industries of South Mississippi) was awarded the 2009 AbilityOne Small Contractor of the Year Award by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This award recognized contractors that provide outstanding support and service to all clients and customers.

From left: Quinton Robinson, director of USDA, office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization; Ron Russell, CEO/president Goodwill Industries / Goodworks of Southern Mississippi; Alma Hobbs, deputy assistant secretary for administration of USDA; Kevin Shea, acting administrator for APHIS of USDA; and Tina Ballard, executive director for the Commission.

On February 18, 2009 the Office of Management and Budget released Guidance (PDF) to federal departments and agencies for implementing the Recovery Act of 2009. The guidance suggests that agencies and departments look at the AbilityOne Program for procurement opportunities.

Specifically the Guidance states:

(7) Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act (41 U.S.C. 46-48c) – AbilityOne

To maximize participation of Americans who are blind or severely disabled in our economic recovery, agencies must continue to purchase required goods and services on the Procurement List maintained by the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, which are produced or provided by qualified nonprofit agencies employing such individuals.

Gen. David H. Petraeus recently honored five employees of Gulf Coast Enterprises (GCE) for their outstanding service to the U.S. Central Command, which is headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla.

In January, Gen. Petraeus presented framed certificates of appreciation to Amarilita Pachecho, Jay Brody, Joe Brown, Richard Lebbad and Victoria Watkins, employees of the GCE custodial unit at MacDill. The five are responsible for making sure the general’s office suite meets his expectations for cleanliness at all times.

An AbilityOne nonprofit agency, GCE exists to employ people with disabilities. It is a program of Lakeview Center Inc., a network of behavioral health, child protective and vocational services operating out of Pensacola, Fla.

GCE secures contracts to provide specific services and then hires, trains and supervises a workforce composed mostly of people with physical impairments, mental illnesses or developmental disabilities.

The commander of the U.S. Central Command, Gen. Petraeus is best known for serving as the commanding general for the multi-national coalition forces in Iraq from January 2007 to September 2008.

PRIDE Industries, among the nation’s largest employers of people with disabilities, has secured a five year contract with the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida to provide grounds maintenance and pest management services.

Located on approximately 2,000 acres along the Atlantic coast, the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is the primary Eastern Region launch head for Air Force space-based missions and support for the space shuttle.

The contract was facilitated by NISH under terms of the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act. NISH is a non-profit agency that creates employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities under the AbilityOne Program.

“Our performance on existing contracts through NISH and AbilityOne, including our work for NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards AFB in California, demonstrates PRIDE’s expertise at delivering high quality, cost-effective facility services to commercial and government organizations,” said Fred Smith, senior vice president for Integrated Facilities Services at PRIDE Industries. “We look forward to expanding our footprint and opportunities in the region.”

Through its Integrated Facilities Services division, PRIDE Industries offers a full range of services to government and commercial customers including: general custodial, facilities and building maintenance; specialized cleaning for controlled environments; grounds maintenance; food service; secure document management services; recycling; administrative services; and transportation.

PRIDE Industries is a nonprofit organization providing a variety of business solutions to meet the manufacturing and service needs of companies nationwide. PRIDE employs more than 4,100 individuals across nine states and in the nation's capitol, including more than 2,700 people with disabilities. PRIDE is a self-sustaining business with over $145 million in annual revenue and ranks as the third largest manufacturing and service company in the greater Sacramento region. Founded in 1966, PRIDE is headquartered in Roseville, California. For more information, visit PRIDE online at www.prideindustries.com.

The Defense Department is a strong supporter of the federally managed AbilityOne program, which works with private and public groups to provide goods and services to the government and jobs for the blind and other people who have significant disabilities, including wounded veterans.

“As the largest customer of this program, the Department of Defense has a responsibility and a tremendous opportunity to increase support by procuring more goods and services provided by the AbilityOne program,” John J. Young Jr., undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, stated in a March 24 memorandum.

AbilityOne, formerly known as the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act, or JWOD, is administered by the Commission, an independent federal agency.

More than 1,300 wounded military veterans are part of the program’s 43,000-strong work force, according to a DoD news release. The Defense Department is the program’s largest customer, the release said, as it purchases more than $1.3 billion in goods and services each year, including laundry services, uniforms, office supplies and grounds maintenance.

Work contracts arranged through the AbilityOne program provide most of the chemical-protection coats and pants used by U.S. servicemembers. Skilcraft-brand office supplies found across the Federal Government also are part of the AbilityOne program.

President Bush, in a White House document dated Feb. 11, stated that the AbilityOne program “has taken steps to embrace successful business practices, including e-commerce and performance-based contracting.” The program, he said, provides work for tens of thousands of disabled Americans employed at more than 600 community-based nonprofit organizations.

Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England will host a Pentagon ceremony tomorrow to honor the AbilityOne program.

The AbilityOne program can trace its roots to the passage of the Wagner-O’Day Act of 1938, sponsored by Sen. Robert F. Wagner and U.S. Rep. Caroline O’Day. This legislation mandated that the Federal Government purchase brooms, mops and other items provided by nonprofit agencies employing people who are blind.

The Wagner-O’Day Act was expanded in 1971 through the efforts of Sen. Jacob Javits. The resultant legislation, known as the Wagner-O’Day-Javits Act, permits nonprofit agencies serving people with other significant disabilities in addition to blindness to participate in the Javits-Wagner-O'Day program and authorized nonprofit agencies to provide not only supplies, but also services to the Federal Government.

The executive-branch Commission, the National Industries for the Blind, and NISH, formerly known as National Industries for the Severely Handicapped, form a triad of support for Javits-Wagner-O'Day, whose name was changed to AbilityOne by the U.S. Congress in 2006.

AbilityOne is the largest single source of employment for people who are blind or have other significant disabilities in the United States. Approximately 200 people with significant disabilities work at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base through nearly 40 AbilityOne contracts. AbilityOne employees provide custodial, mail and commissary services for the base.

"Wright-Patterson's support of the AbilityOne Program is an example of dedication to the American people with disabilities," Andrew Houghton, Chairperson of the Commission, said. "Their continuous support of the program allows people with disabilities the opportunity to show their "Abilities" and "Capabilities while providing the base with quality services."

Houghton presented the brick to General Bruce Carlson, Commander, Air Force Materiel Command, this morning. Carlson said that AbilityOne employees are a tremendous support to the Air Force family.

"We do not support the AbilityOne Program out of charity, we support it for the superior services the people provide us," Carlson said. "The people who work under the program are not just employees, they are our friends."

Wright-Patterson AFB is the headquarters of the Air Force Materiel Command, which is the command responsible for and designs, acquires and sustains the various aircraft and supporting equipment for the Air Force.

Joining him with remarks of appreciation were James Barone, Chairman of the Board of NISH, Robert Chamberlin, CEO of NISH, and Steve Brice, Chief Financial Officer of National Industries for the Blind (NIB.) NIB and NISH are two national nonprofits designated by the Commission to help allocate federal contracts and provide technical assistance under the AbilityOne Program.

Houghton was among the Air Force Marathon participants this year.

The AbilityOne Program is administered by an independent federal agency, the Commission, and facilitated by two central nonprofit agencies, NISH—Creating Employment Opportunities for People with significant disabilities and National Industries for the Blind.