About JWOD Program

Created in 1938 and amended in 1971, the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act (41 U.S.C. 46-48c) and the AbilityOne Program, formerly the Javits-Wagner-O’Day (JWOD) Program, create employment and training opportunities for people who are blind or who have other severe disabilities. Federal purchasing of SKILCRAFT® and other products and services under the AbilityOne Program employs more than 48,000 Americans who are blind or have other severe disabilities across the nation. Through this employment, people who are blind or have other severe disabilities are able to serve their country by providing necessary products and services to the federal government and the armed services.

The AbilityOne Program is a preferred supply source for Federal employees. The Program is administered by the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled. Two national, independent organizations, National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and NISH help state and private nonprofit agencies participate in the AbilityOne Program.

The AbilityOne Program collaborates with federal customers to satisfy their needs with quality products and services at fair market prices and leverages a national network of non-profit agencies to further develop and expand the wide array of solutions it provides. Benefits of the AbilityOne Program to the federal government and to taxpayers include:

High quality supplies and services
On-time delivery
Reasonable prices
Reduction of paperwork and pre/post award costs
Central points of contact to solve problems/facilitate action
Reduced disability payments and increased tax revenues

To many, the AbilityOne Program is an example of Government at its best. While the purpose of the Program is first and foremost to provide employment and training for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities, it does not represent a handout. Non-profit agencies that employ people who are blind or have other severe disabilities must demonstrate that they can offer the government quality supplies and services at reasonable prices while maintaining a ratio of 75 percent of employees who are blind or have other severe disabilities.

OUR CUSTOMERS:

The primary customers served by the AbilityOne Program include:

Individuals who are blind or have other severe disabilities employed on AbilityOne contracts
Federal government customers who benefit from the quality products and services that are provided through the Program

Secondary customers include:

Nonprofit organizations that employ people with severe disabilities on AbilityOne contracts
Federal procurement personnel

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

To meet the needs of individuals who are blind or have other severe disabilities and are employed on AbilityOne contracts and the participating non-profit agencies for whom they work, the Committee will:

Strive to provide job opportunities that will allow people with severe disabilities to acquire skills to prepare them, whenever possible, for competitive employment

Communicate clearly and concisely to NIB, NISH and participating nonprofit agencies all requirements and other information that affect their participation in the AbilityOne Program and actively assist the nonprofit agencies to market their products and services to the federal government

Perform actions regarding additions, pricing, contract administration, compliance and other activities within the shortest time possible to enhance the ability of the nonprofit agencies to accomplish their mission of providing employment and training for people who or blind or have severe disabilities

To meet the needs of the Consumers of AbilityOne products and services and Federal Procurment Personnel, the Committee will:

Ensure that AbilityOne products and services meet the customers' quality requirements at a fair market price.
Communicate clearly and concisely all information required for participation in the AbilityOne Program and perform actions regarding additions, pricing and contract administration within the shortest time possible to enhance the ability of procurement personnel to meet customer demands for products and services.
Work with distributing agencies, both federal and commercial, to ensure that AbilityOne products are easily identifiable and accessible via up-to-date procurement methods.

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PLEDGE:

The Committee will quickly respond to questions and problems concerning AbilityOne operational and policy issues or general questions about the Program. When questions regarding a particular product or service arise, contact the Committee or staff at NIB or NISH.

If you have comments about these customer service standards or would like to provide feedback about participation in the AbilityOne Program, please send your comments by fax to 703-603-0655 or email to info@jwod.gov. Comments received will be included in the Committee for Purchase's submissions to the National Performance Review in response to their request for updates on customer satisfaction from federal agencies.