[MN-at-Large] Tuesday at 7pm: Attend our informational session about important policy changes to the AbilityOne program

[David Andrews]

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>As discussed at the Metro Chapter this morning, 
>I encourage everyone to join this informational 
>session about our work to end the payment of 
>subminimum wages to workers with disabilities!
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>Â
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>Corbb
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>Corbb O'Connor (he/him), President
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>National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota
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><http://www.nfbmn.org/>www.nfbmn.org | (612) 872-9353
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>Â
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>Begin forwarded message:
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>From: National Federation of the Blind 
><<mailto:webmaster at nfb.org>webmaster at nfb.org>
>Date: January 17, 2025 at 4:03:20 PM CST
>Subject: Upcoming Call: Shape Career Development
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><https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37215&qid=10900433>
>National Federation of the Blind logo and tagline live the life
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>Advocacy and Policy Briefing on AbilityOne Career Development
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>The National Federation of the Blind is offering 
>an informational briefing on January 21, at 8:00 
>p.m. Eastern via Zoom regarding a draft 
>government policy enhancing career development 
>for the blind community. Review the background and overview below.
>
>Please 
><https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37216&qid=10900433>register 
>now for the NFB Advocacy Briefing. Closed captions provided.
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>AbilityOne Draft Policy Background
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>The AbilityOne Commission, who operates 
>specialized employment programs for blind 
>individuals or people with significant 
>disabilities, recently released draft policy 
>51.405, which will have a significant positive 
>influence over career development initiatives. 
>The National Federation of the Blind has 
>provided much feedback to shape this policy. 
>Now, the voice of our members needs to be heard 
>directly so that the AbilityOne Commission and 
>its central nonprofit agencies can understand 
>how important these changes are to blind Americans.
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>The AbilityOne program is authorized by Congress 
>and run by two central nonprofit agencies: 
>National Industries for the Blind and 
>SourceAmerica. These two central nonprofit 
>agencies have oversight of qualified nonprofit 
>agencies that bid on federal contracts to 
>produce products and services, which appear on 
>the procurement list, and can be purchased by 
>federal agencies. Until several years ago, these 
>qualified nonprofit agencies were known for 
>paying disabled people less than the minimum 
>wage under 14(c) special wage certificates. 
>Fortunately, thanks to the direct advocacy 
>efforts of members of the National Federation of 
>the Blind, reform has occurred, and these 
>nonprofits are no longer allowed to pay 
>subminimum wages on AbilityOne contracts. There 
>is a significant modernization process underway.
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>AbilityOne Draft Public Meeting
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>On January 23, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern, the 
>AbilityOne commission will be holding their 
>quarterly public meeting to provide information 
>about draft policy 51.405 and seek public 
>comment. You can request to speak at the January 
>23 meeting, but you can also provide comments by email until February 15, 2025.
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><https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37217&qid=10900433>Registration 
>is required for the AbilityOne quarterly public meeting.
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>Some members have reported problems completing 
>the above form. There is a required question 
>regarding accommodation. Please answer yes or no 
>to this question, as the edit field appears to be required.
>
>Please 
><https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37216&qid=10900433>attend 
>our briefing on January 21 to learn more about 
>draft policy 51.405 and learn how to make public 
>comments that will shape the future of the AbilityOne program.
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>Â
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><https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37218&qid=10900433>
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>National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells 
>Street | Baltimore, MD 21230 | 410-659-9314
>
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>200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place
>Baltimore, MD 21230
>United States
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>..
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