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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I got this message on another
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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Mary Ann</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Friday, January 20, 2012<BR>As our nation continues
to recover from the economic downturn, the President continues<BR>to demonstrate
that all Americans, including Americans with disabilities, must play<BR>a part
in that recovery and have opportunities to work and contribute to our
society.<BR>Today, the President issued a memorandum to the heads of Executive
Departments and<BR>Agencies regarding the Federal Support for the
Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility<BR>Program.<BR>The text is below or you can
find it online at:<BR><A
href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/20/presidential-memorandum-federal-support-randolph-sheppard-vending-facili">http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/20/presidential-memorandum-federal-support-randolph-sheppard-vending-facili</A><BR>.<BR>THE
WHITE HOUSE<BR>Office of the Press Secretary<BR>For Immediate Release January
20, 2012<BR>January 20, 2012<BR>Memorandum For the Heads of Executive
Departments and Agencies<BR>SUBJECT: Federal Support for the Randolph-Sheppard
Vending Facility Program<BR>Thousands of Americans who are blind have embraced
the entrepreneurial spirit that<BR>helps define our Nation as a land of
opportunity. Through the Federal Randolph-Sheppard<BR>Vending Facility Program
administered by the Department of Education, talented and<BR>creative
individuals who are blind have acquired the management training and
business<BR>skills necessary to realize the American dream -- a lifetime of
economic opportunity,<BR>independence, and self-sufficiency for themselves and
their families.<BR>For 75 years, blind business managers have successfully
operated food services and<BR>commercial ventures at Federal, State, and private
buildings and locations nationwide.<BR>We honor and celebrate this program's
historic achievements. We also trust that the<BR>Randolph-Sheppard Program will
continue to be a leading model for providing high-quality<BR>entrepreneurial
opportunities for blind individuals. From a simple snack shop, to<BR>tourist
services at the Hoover Dam, to full food-services operations at
military<BR>installations, blind entrepreneurs have provided exceptional
customer service to<BR>Federal and State employees, the Armed Forces, and the
general public. With proven<BR>ability, they have challenged preconceived
notions about disability.<BR>The Randolph-Sheppard Act (20 U.S.C. 107 et seq.)
created the Vending Facility Program<BR>requiring qualified blind individuals be
given a priority to operate vending facilities<BR>on Federal properties. This
program is responsible today for providing entrepreneurial<BR>opportunities for
over 2,500 individuals who are blind. In turn, these business managers<BR>have
hired thousands of workers, many of whom are individuals with
disabilities.<BR>Every American, including persons with disabilities, deserves
the opportunity to<BR>succeed without limits, earn equal pay for equal jobs, and
aspire to full-time, career-oriented<BR>employment.<BR>Continued support and
cooperation are needed from executive departments, agencies,<BR>and offices
(agencies) to extend the Randolph-Sheppard priority to qualified
blind<BR>managers through the State licensing agencies that implement the
program. Therefore,<BR>I direct all agencies that have property management
responsibilities to ensure that<BR>agency officials, when pursuing the
establishment and operation of vending facilities<BR>(including cafeterias and
military dining facilities) as defined in 20 U.S.C. 107e,<BR>issue permits and
contracts in compliance with the Randolph-Sheppard Program and<BR>consistent
with existing regulations and law. I further direct the Secretary of
Education,<BR>through the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services
Administration, to submit<BR>a report to the President on agencies'
implementation of the Randolph-Sheppard Program<BR>not later than 1 year from
the date of this memorandum.<BR>This memorandum is not intended to, and does
not, create any right or benefit, substantive<BR>or procedural, enforceable at
law or in equity by any party against the United States,<BR>its departments,
agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any<BR>other
person.<BR>The Secretary of Education is hereby authorized and directed to
publish this memorandum<BR>in the Federal Register.<BR>BARACK OBAMA<BR>This
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