Ability One Product Purchases Support Employment For The Blind And Severely Disabled

AbilityOne product purchases support employment for the blind and severely disabled

by

Hannah Garcis

What began as a federal Depression- era program to employ the blind in the manufacture of mops and brooms today produces more than $2 billion in AbilityOne products ranging from aircraft parts to office supplies. The Ability One Program provides work for more 50,000 blind and severely disabled citizens, 3,300 of whom are veterans, producing high-quality goods at competitive prices to supply the federal government s many agencies. The program not only benefits those it employs, taxpayers also gain from the program with increased income tax revenues from the employees earnings and a decrease in the cost of disability payments. The National Industries for the Blind (NIB) estimates the unemployment rate among the disabled is upward of 70 percent. Reducing this figure is a major goal of the AbilityOne Program.

The 1938 Wagner-O Day Act required that federal agencies purchase designated supplies from agencies that employ the blind. A certain percentage of contracts are set aside, outside of the competitive bidding process, and filled by not-for-profits that employ the blind and severely disabled. This legislation engaged the NIB to help administer the program. In 1952, the NIB introduced the SKILCRAFT brand, a line of cleaning supplies, office products and other goods, to fill federal government contracts. Congress, lead by Senator Jacob Javits, amended the Wagner-O Day Act in 1971 to include the severely disabled in the program. The Javits-Wagner-O Day Act also allowed the program to sell services in addition to manufactured products.

The AbilityOne Program name was adopted by Congress in 2007 to create a unified program. More than 600 not-for-profit organizations produce the goods and services that fall under the AbilityOne Program. To qualify, at least 75 percent of an organization s direct labor must come from individuals who are blind or severely disabled. The disabilities vary; some employed through the program have obvious physical impairments, while others suffer from cognitive disabilities and mental health issues. As a new generation of military personnel returns home from the battlefield, AbilityOne Program agencies have been making a concerted effort to assist veterans and wounded warriors. Their programs provide job training and placement services for U.S. military personnel learning to cope with the physical and psychological injuries of war. To support AbilityOne products is to support the troops struggling with the return to civilian life.

The AbilityOne product list includes an extensive line of both durable and expendable office products. High-quality file folders, writing instruments, paper fasteners, rubber stamps and stamp pads are just a few of the AbilityOne products available. Envelopes, shipping containers, and other mailroom essentials, as well as computer supplies, including printer toner, are offered. Those seeking to support AbilityOne products will also find office furnishings, desk, chairs and tables that carry the AbilityOne logo.

Procurement departments may shop AbilityOne products at OfficeSalesUSA.com, a service of Haskell New York, Inc. Haskell, sellers of discount office supplies, furniture and printing services, is an approved AbilityOne dealer. Established in 1928, Haskell offers fast, friendly service and boasts a loyal customer base that spans decades.

Haskell New York Inc. is an approved dealer of AbilityOne (SKILCRAFT ) products for both the Federal government and general usage. Each time you purchase an item with the AbilityOne logo you are showing your support for Americans with disabilities.

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