JWOD NDEAM MATERIALS

Introduction
What is JWOD?
History of the JWOD Program
JWOD Program Partners
Planning Federal JWOD Celebration Activities
Key Messages
JWOD Program Facts & Figures
Economic Benefits Studies Summaries
Sample Secretary's Announcement
Sample Memorandum of Support
Memorandums of Support from Federal Agencies
FAQs from the Federal Perspective
JWOD Participating Nonprofit Agencies

JWOD NDEAM Poster
JWOD Logos
Information for JWOD Participating Agencies

What is the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Program?

Providing employment opportunities to more than 45,000 people, the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Program is the largest single source of employment for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities in the United States. More than 600 participating, community-based nonprofit organizations employ these individuals nationwide and provide a wide array of quality on-time goods and services to the Federal Government at a fair price.

The JWOD Program uses the purchasing power of the Federal Government to buy products and services from participating state and private nonprofit agencies dedicated to training and employing individuals with disabilities, and to reducing the 70 percent unemployment/underemployment rate faced by people with disabilities. What began as the Wagner-O'Day Act in 1938, and which permitted agencies serving people who are blind to sell products like brooms and mops to the Government, was expanded in 1971 when Sen. Jacob Javits led an effort to permit other people with severe disabilities to participate in the Program. The Javits Amendment also expanded the Act to include the provision of services to the Federal Government.

The JWOD Program is a coordinated effort on behalf of the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and NISH-Creating Employment Opportunities for People with Severe Disabilities. This effort has allowed people who are blind or who have other severe disabilities to acquire job skills and training, receive wages and benefits, and gain greater independence and quality of life. Through the JWOD Program, people with disabilities have the opportunity to enjoy participation in their communities and can market their JWOD skills into other public and private sector jobs.