1/8/2009 ODEP News Release:

The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled recently launched a landmark initiative to enhance quality work environments for more than 40,000 Americans employed through AbilityOne, a program that provides employment through the federal procurement process to people who are blind or have other severe disabilities.

Formally ratified by all members on January 8, 2009, the Policy on Best Practices for a Quality Work Environment was spearheaded by the Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications and Customer Satisfaction, chaired by Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Neil Romano. To develop it, Mr. Romano and Subcommittee members James Omvig and Kathleen James collaborated closely with the Committee’s Chairperson, Andrew Houghton, and its two central nonprofit agencies, National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and NISH (for people with severe disabilities).

At the core of the policy initiative are three guiding principles reflective of AbilityOne’s vision, which is to enable all people who are blind or have other severe disabilities to achieve their maximum employment potential. These principles—which broadly state that AbilityOne workers should be provided competitive wages, a clear career path and ongoing training—will now serve as a framework for the development of best practice standards for the more than 600 nonprofit agencies across the nation that participate in the AbilityOne Program. As part of this process, NIB and NISH will begin to identify and create best practices, and assist their associated nonprofit agencies in development of Quality Work Environment Business Plans that reflect the principles and include a self-certification program based on them.

In voting to approve the recommendations set forth in the Policy on Best Practices for a Quality Work Environment, Committee members have embarked on a significant new course for the AbilityOne Program, one that further advances America’s promise of equal opportunity for all citizens, including those with disabilities.

For more information on the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled and AbilityOne Program, visit the AbilityOne Web site.