Congressman Rodney Alexander Receives Prestigious AbilityOne Champion Award from Louisiana Associ

March 26, 2010 - PRLog -- Washington, D.C. ­ Representative Rodney Alexander (R-5th- Louisiana) was recently named an AbilityOne Champion, in recognition of his efforts to create good paying jobs with excellent benefits for people who are blind.  Louisiana Association for the Blind President and CEO Shelly Taylor presented the AbilityOne Champion Award to Rep. Alexander at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 10.

The AbilityOne Champion Award is given by National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and its associated nonprofit agencies to honor members of Congress for their commitment to the creation of good paying jobs with excellent benefits for individuals who are blind at a net cost savings to the federal government.  

NIB and its 88 community-based nonprofit agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services through the AbilityOne Program to the federal government.  The program employs nearly 6,000 individuals who are blind, who produce products ranging from military uniforms to pens, and provide services such as call center operations.  

"Congressman Alexander clearly understands that the 70 percent unemployment rate among people who are blind is unacceptable,” Taylor said.  "We are fortunate to have him in Congress as he is willing to assist us in creating good job opportunities with excellent benefits.  This award honors his commitment to increasing economic opportunity and Independence for people who are blind."

Congressman Rodney Alexander stated, "I'm honored to receive this award from NIB.  Going forward, I will continue to look for ways to improve the job and career opportunities available for individuals living with disabilities.  While great strides have been made, there is still more we can do to expand the employment prospects for those who are blind.  I am proud of NIB for calling national attention to this matter and for demonstrating a strong commitment to protecting this important part of America’s workforce.”

About National Industries for the Blind (NIB)
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 88 associated agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services through the AbilityOne Program, formerly the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program. For more information regarding how NIB and NIB associated agencies continue to provide opportunities to Americans who are blind, please visit: www.NIB.org.

About the AbilityOne Program
The AbilityOne Program is the largest source of employment for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities in the United States.  AbilityOne, a federal program, currently employs more than 40,000 people who are blind or have other severe disabilities on federal contracts.  Through two central nonprofit agencies, NIB and NISH (serving people with a range of disabilities), AbilityOne works with more than 600 nonprofit agencies nationwide, and represents $2.3 billion in products and services provided to the federal government.  The program meets the needs of federal agencies nationwide.   For more information regarding the AbilityOne Program, its employees, or its product and service capabilities, please visit: www.AbilityOne.gov.

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NIB enhances economic and personal independence of persons who are blind, by creating, sustaining and improving employment opportunities through the sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services using the AbilityOne Program (Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act).