<html>

<body>

<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""><br>

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!<br><br>

Ā <br><br>

Corbb<br><br>

Ā <br><br>

Corbb O'Connor (he/him), President<br><br>

National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota<br><br>

<a href="http://www.nfbmn.org/">www.nfbmn.org</a> | (612)

872-9353<br><br>

Ā <br><br>

<br>

Begin forwarded message:<br>

<dl><br>

<dd>From:</b> National Federation of the Blind

<<a href="mailto:webmaster@nfb.org">webmaster@nfb.org</a>><br>

<dd>Date:</b> January 17, 2025 at 4:03:20ā€ÆPM CST<br>

<dd>Subject:</b> Upcoming Call: Shape Career Development<br>

</b><br>

<dd>ļ»æ <br><br>

<table border=0>

<tr><td width=510>

<dd><br>

<br>

Ā </td></tr>

<tr><td width=510><br>

<br>

<br>

<br>

<br>

<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/top-blue-bar.jpg" width=600 height=28 alt="[]">

<br>

<br>

<br>

<br>

<a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37215&qid=10900433">

<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/nfb-logo-for-email-template.jpg" width=240 height=264 alt="National Federation of the Blind logo and tagline live the life">

</a><br>

<br>

<br>

<h1><b>Advocacy and Policy Briefing on AbilityOne Career

Development</b></h1><br>

<br>

The National Federation of the Blind is offering an informational

briefing on January 21, at 8:00 p.m. EasternĀ via Zoom regarding a draft

government policy enhancing career development for the blind community.

Review the background and overview below.<br>

<br>

Please

<a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37216&qid=10900433">

register now for the NFB Advocacy Briefing</a>.Ā Closed captions

provided.<br>

<h2><b>AbilityOne Draft PolicyĀ Background</b></h2><br>

<br>

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. <br>

<br>

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.<br>

<h2><b>AbilityOne Draft Public Meeting</b></h2><br>

<br>

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.<br>

<br>

<a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37217&qid=10900433">

Registration is required for the AbilityOne quarterly public meeting</a>.

<br>

<br>

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. <br>

<br>

Please

<a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37216&qid=10900433">

attend our briefing on January 21</a> to learn more about draft policy

51.405 and learn how to make public comments that will shape the future

of the AbilityOne program. <br>

<br>

Ā </td></tr>

</table>

<br>

<dd>Ā <br>

<div align="center"><br>

<table border=0 align="center">

<tr><td width=135>

<dd><td width=55><br>

<br>

<a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37218&qid=10900433">

<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-facebook-ms.png" width=50 height=35 alt="Facebook Logo">

</a></td><td width=55><br>

<br>

<a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37219&qid=10900433">

<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-twitter-ms.png" width=50 height=35 alt="Twitter Logo">

</a></td><td width=55><br>

<br>

<a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37220&qid=10900433">

<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-instagram-ms.png" width=50 height=35 alt="Instagram Logo">

</a></td><td width=55><br>

<br>

<a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37221&qid=10900433">

<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-youtube-ms.png" width=51 height=35 alt="YouTube Logo">

</a></td><td width=55><br>

<br>

<a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37222&qid=10900433">

<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-email-ms.png" width=50 height=35 alt="Email Icon Image">

</a></td><td width=55><br>

<br>

<a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37223&qid=10900433">

<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-donte-ms.png" width=50 height=35 alt="Donate to the NFB Icon.">

</a></td><td width=135></td></tr>

<tr><td colspan=8 width=600><br>

<br>

National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD

21230 | 410-659-9314 </b></td></tr>

<tr><td colspan=8 width=600></td></tr>

<tr><td colspan=8 width=600><br>

<br>

200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place<br>

Baltimore, MD 21230<br>

United States</b><br>

<br>

.. </b></td></tr>

</dl></div>

</blockquote></body>

</html>