Serving more than 60 years...
In 1938, Congress created the Wagner-O'Day Act to enable agencies serving people who were blind to sell products to the federal government. Because of its success in providing jobs to people with visual disabilities, in 1971 Senator Jacob Javits led an effort to amend the original act to permit Americans with other severe disabilities to also benefit from the program.

Today the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Act stands as a model program, enabling people who are blind or have other disabilities to work through local community-based organizations to provide quality, on-time goods and services to the federal government.

Making a difference through federal procurement...
The JWOD purchasing program starts by adding items and contract services to a mandatory procurement list called the JWOD Procurement List. The items placed on the list are manufactured or provided by people who are blind, and are priced by the Committee for Purchase at "fair market value." Federal procurement agents must purchase products from the list instead of a commercial source to sustain the program.

Like a true supply-demand equation, this program works because federal customers honor their commitment to the program by purchasing products from the list. This in turn, employs thousands of people who are blind or have other disabilities. By purchasing writing instruments, cleaning products or other products and services from the list, federal customers not only receive quality products and services, but enable people with disabilities to have what all Americans want —the chance to develop to their full vocational, financial and personal potential.

Operating within JWOD...
The Committee for Purchase from People who are Blind or Severely Disabled (Committee for Purchase) is the independent federal agency, which administers and promotes the JWOD program. Private citizens and senior officials are appointed by the President of the United States from major government procurement organizations, such as the Department of Defense, General Services Administration, Veteran's Administration and the Department of Labor. The Committee for Purchase decides which products and services to add to the JWOD Procurement List establishes the "fair market price" the government pays for the products and services. This ensures that JWOD is used as Congress intended —to provide a means for people who are blind or have other disabilities to be active, working citizens.

National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and NISH (serving people with a wide range of disabilities) are the two private, central nonprofit agencies designated by the Committee for Purchase to provide assistance to qualified nonprofit agencies that employ people who are blind or have other severe disabilities on federal contracts. Governed by voluntary members, NIB's Board of Directors and NISH's Board are structured to be responsive to concerns within their communities. In addition to featuring representatives from manufacturing, banking, finance, legal and public service fields, both Boards also contain members who personally experience blindness or other disabilities.

To access the JWOD Program Strategic Plan 2004-2005, click here.

To access a presentation explaining the JWOD Program Strategic Plan 2004-2005, click here.

Touching Lives...
The benefits of the JWOD program touch tens of thousands of Americans who are blind or have other severe disabilities. Employment is the single most important factor that enables an individual to more fully participate in society - it brings economic power and independence. As a result of our commitment, our associated agencies are the largest providers of employment to blind Americans, who have the opportunity to master the most skilled positions open, based on their interests, skills and abilities.

Additional Information
For additional information about JWOD and government guidelines, click on the following link:

www.jwod.gov