Hon daniel webster



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IMPROVING EMPLOYMENT & INDEPENDENCE FOR THE BLIND AND VISION IMPAIRED

(Extension of Remarks – May 14, 2013)

[Page: E658]

 

HON. DANIEL WEBSTER

OF FLORIDA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013
- - - 
Mr. Webster. Mr. Speaker, as May is Vision Loss Awareness Month, it is my pleasure to recognize and support the AbilityOne Program. The AbilityOne Program, established by the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act, is the nation’s largest initiative that provides career opportunities to more than 50,000 people who are blind or have other significant disabilities. Seven out of 10 working age Americans who are blind or visually impaired are not employed. Through this program, people with disabilities have the opportunity to gain greater independence and quality of life, and enjoy and benefit from participation in their communities.

There are over 600 community-based nonprofit agencies nationwide that participate in the AbilityOne Program. Lighthouse Central Florida, located in Orlando, Florida, is one of the agencies across the country associated with the AbilityOne program to provide individuals who are blind or visually impaired with rehabilitative services, job training and employment opportunities. In August 2012, I was fortunate to visit and tour the Lighthouse Central Florida facility, its recent expansion Lighthouse Works!, and their new call center. On behalf of the citizens of Central Florida, I commend the efforts of Lighthouse Central Florida and the investments they are making in the lives of individuals with vision loss to provide them with job training, work experience and other tools necessary to lead independent, successful lives.



In addition, the AbilityOne Program network manufactures a wide array of products and services such as the National Industries for the Blind’s (NIB) SKILCRAFT® brand, which encompasses over 3,000 items including janitorial equipment, office supplies, medical supplies, tools, and uniforms. I am pleased to support the AbilityOne Program and NIB’s initiatives by purchasing SKILCRAFT® products for use in my District office.

Federal and state governments save more than $33 million a year through the excellent work being done through the AbilityOne Program. Over the past 75 years, AbilityOne has enriched the lives of individuals who are blind or have other significant disabilities, and over the past 37 years, Lighthouse Central Florida has educated, trained, and helped 100,000 blind and vision impaired individuals. I applaud the efforts of those involved, and I wish them many more years of quality service to our nation.

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