Welcome to the JWOD NDEAM Resource Kit

...Your toolkit for spreading the word about the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Program during the October 2006 observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)!

JWOD NDEAM MATERIALS

Introduction
What is JWOD?
History of the JWOD Program
JWOD Program Partners
Planning Federal JWOD Celebration Activities
Key Messages
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

Dear Colleague:

We hope that this kit provides you--our Federal customers and participating nonprofit agencies--with the tools you need to help us spread the word in your communities and across the country that JWOD Works for America!

The Javits-Wagner-O’Day (JWOD) Program creates employment opportunities that enable people who are blind or have other severe disabilities to fulfill their potential while providing a wide array of custom solutions at a fair market price to Federal customers. The JWOD Program is the largest single source of employment for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities in the United States, currently employing nearly 48,000 such individuals at more than 600 community-based nonprofit agencies across the country. Although we celebrate this success, there remains a critical need for the Program as 70 percent of people with severe disabilities remain unemployed or underemployed.

Employment opportunities made possible through the JWOD Program equip tens of thousands of people who are blind or have other severe disabilities with the job skills and training necessary to earn equitable wages, benefits and greater independence. Nonprofit agencies that employ these individuals provide best value products and services to the Federal Government.

We kick off our fiscal year with National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October. This is an exceptional opportunity to celebrate the successes of the JWOD Program, but there are numerous other opportunities throughout the year to plan and participate in JWOD commemorative events. New contracts, ribboncutting ceremonies, anniversaries and other milestones, visits by prominent individuals and awards presentations are all opportune events for conducting outreach to local, state and national leaders as well as local businesses and media organizations.

According to President Bush, "All of our citizens should have the opportunity to live and work with dignity and freedom. Every October, we observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month to recognize the talents, skills and dedication of people with disabilities who are a vital part of our workforce."

Not only are people who are blind or have other severe disabilities a vital part of the American work force, under the JWOD Program, they are also a critical part of the U.S. military industrial base, providing support to warfighters and international relief through the provisions of products and services. JWOD products include military unique items, such as the Army Combat Uniform, chemical protective suits and first aid kits; food items, such as nonfat dry milk, that support Government international relief feeding programs; office supplies, such as pens and notepads sold under the SKILCRAFT® brand; and much more! JWOD services include—to name a few—fleet maintenance, call center support, administrative and mailroom services, document management and destruction, grounds and landscape services, full facility maintenance, and food and laundry services.

We hope that you will take advantage of October's National Disability Employment Awareness Month observance--as well as other commemorative events throughout the year--to recognize the many achievements and benefits of the JWOD Program.