U.S. AbilityOne Commission Designates AFB as an AbilityOne Authorized Central Nonprofit Agency: An Important Step Toward Encouraging Greater Inclusion in the Workforce of the Future
Statement from Kirk Adams, President and CEO, American Foundation for the Blind
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) has a bold new mission to create a world of no limits for millions of Americans with vision loss. That includes significantly improving the workforce participation rate among people who are blind, which persistently hovers around 35 percent compared to about 70 percent for people without disabilities.
On the anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act, we are excited to be designated a Central Nonprofit Agency (CNA) under the AbilityOne Program, one of the nation's largest sources of employment for people who are blind or have significant disabilities. AFB will have the opportunity to partner with nonprofits, government agencies, and corporations to identify innovative ways to maximize the power of the Javits—Wagner—O'Day Act, the law requiring federal agencies to purchase specified supplies and services from nonprofit agencies employing people who are blind or who have significant disabilities.
As a CNA, AFB's primary focus will be giving people with visual impairments exceptional new career development opportunities in the fast-growing industries of financial services, healthcare and information technology, and to create pathways to mainstream, integrated employment in the public and private sectors.
Our first order of business is to launch an 18-month research phase to inform the design of this new model. AFB will conduct qualitative and quantitative research, including a literature review and market analysis. In addition, AFB will meet with key stakeholders engaged in procurement, as well as job training and placement.
It is essential that we address the unemployment and underemployment issue now. Technology is changing the way we work at an unprecedented pace, which opens a host of job opportunities for people who are blind so long as our systems are accessible and inclusive. Sixty five percent of children entering primary school today will ultimately end up working in jobs that don't yet exist, according to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs report. That means we must stay current and ensure people with vision loss are developing the right skillsets to compete in the workforce today and in the future. Further, there are many private sector companies dedicated to hiring and promoting people with disabilities, recognizing that full inclusion strengthens company culture and improves the bottom line. AFB will connect these companies to qualified employees who are visually impaired.
We are thrilled about the possibilities to expand career options and increase workforce participation among people who are blind. Please stay tuned. We'll be keeping you apprised of our research findings as we move through Phase One of our work with the AbilityOne Commission.
For additional information, please contact:
Adrianna Montague
Chief Community Engagement Officer
212-502-7615
Senator Markey Hails Passage of International Treaty to Support Blind and Visually Impaired Individuals
Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Foreign Relations Committee and longtime champion for people with sensory disabilities, released the following statement after the US Senate passed the Marrakesh Treaty Implementation Act and the resolution of advice and consent to ratification for the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works by Visually Impaired Persons and Persons with Print Disabilities.
"I am thrilled that the United States will join the 35 other countries that have agreed to share braille books, audiobooks, and other published materials across borders and around the world,? said Senator Markey. ?By increasing the availability of such materials, this treaty will help millions of blind and visually impaired people afford and access books and other written works that capture our imagination, foster education, and support economic opportunity."
The Marrakesh Treaty has already been signed by Australia, Argentina, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Israel, Kenya, Kyrgyz, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Nigeria, North Korea, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Russia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Uruguay.
The Marrakesh Treaty is supported by The American Council of the Blind, American Foundation for the Blind, National Federation of the Blind, American Library Association, Association of College and Research Libraries, Association of Research Libraries, Authors Guild, Benetech, National Music Publishers Association, and the Perkins School for the Blind.
Senator Markey's 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) mandates accessibility of devices and services for the millions of Americans with disabilities and enabled the use of a wide range of devices and services needed in the digital era.
Even Cheaper PCs for the Blind!
In the July issue of AccessWorld we alerted you to a new partnership between VFO and Computers for the Blind (CFTB), a Texas-based organization that refurbishes donated computers and offers them at low price to people with visual impairments. For $130 you can purchase a fully equipped desktop computer. But now, along with the PC itself and an assortment of open source software, users also receive a one-year licensed copy of JAWS, MaGic or Fusion. The version that comes with CFTB computers is a single install version good for one full year. At the end of this year you have two choices. You can allow the version to expire and revert to a 90-minute demo version. Or you can purchase an SMA and upgrade to a new full version. You can then continue to upgrade with additional SMAs, or end your participation and continue to use the last full version of the software.
Recently, the folks at CFTB received a $50,000 grant from the Dallas Association of the Blind that enables the organization to lower the price of a computer by $60 for recipients of SSI or SSDI due to blindness. The grant also includes parents of legally blind children. Required documentation is an e-mail from the TVI or caseworker stating that the child needs a computer, would benefit from it, and purchasing a new computer with the expensive software would create a hardship on the family. No eye reports or income verification are necessary.
The discounted cost of a grant-covered CFTB desktop PC is $70. Only on-campus blind college students are eligible for a grant-discounted laptop at $125.
The Dallas Association for the Blind has closed its doors, so this grant is a one-time limited offer. Learn more on its website, call 214-340-6328, or e-mail.
ATIA 2019 Registration Options
There are many registration options for ATIA 2019 to meet your needs, including group discounts. With these discounts, the bigger the group, the bigger the savings. Each full conference registration receives access to the Exhibit Hall, Opening Reception, and educational sessions. Check out the packages below:
- 5 or more people: 5% off per person
- 10 or more people: 10% off per person
To register and for a complete list of registration options, visit the conference website.
Call for Papers Opens
On Thursday, August 23, 2018, the call for papers for Volume 7 of the Journal on Technology & Persons with Disabilities and the Science/Research Track of the 34th CSUN Assistive Technology Conference will begin. The Science/Research Journal Call for Papers will conclude Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 11:59 PM (PDT).
Additional information for the Science/Research Journal Call for Papers can be found on the Center's Journal and Journal Call for Papers pages. A working draft of Volume 7 of the Journal on Technology & Persons with Disabilities will be made available online prior to the 34th CSUN Assistive Technology Conference. The final version will be published on the CSUN ScholarWorks Open Access Repository in Spring 2019.
Please note, the information above is only relevant to the Science/Research Journal Call for Papers. Information for the General Call for Papers has already been?sent?to those who have expressed an interest in the Call for General Session Proposals. You may indicate your interest by subscribing to the CSUN conference mailing list on this page.
