NIB Policy Forum Presentation for Procurement Professionals

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• Through the production and sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services through the AbilityOne Program, NIB and its associated agencies employ more than 5,500 people who are blind.

• NIB and its associated agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind in the United States.

Seventy percent of working age Americans who are blind are not employed.

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• All Federal agencies are mandated to purchase products and services through AbilityOne, but many do not comply.  

• Sales to GSA are down sharply in FY’14; the threats to employment for people who are blind are real and growing.

• NIB’s nationwide network will be impacted by GSA changes and Federal agencies that do not comply with the purchasing mandate.

After 75 years, the AbilityOne Program faces significant challenges.

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• The time is now to reinvigorate the law and to encourage all Federal agencies to purchase products and services from AbilityOne.

• Purchasing from AbilityOne is a win-win solution: customers enjoy high quality products and services, and people who are blind gain access to meaningful employment opportunities.

The solution is simple: purchase AbilityOne.

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Take Action:1. Start by sharing this presentation on your

social networks to raise awareness. You can share this presentation at http://slidesha.re/RS7FQY.

2. Follow-us online at twitter.com/NatIndBlind and/or facebook.com/NatIndBlind. During May 20 - 21 share our messages with the hashtag #NIBpolicyforum

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