[Nfbf-l] {Disarmed} Presidential Memorandum
Sherri
flmom2006 at gmail.com
Fri Jan 27 12:35:04 UTC 2012
Thanks for passing this on Tara. I will send it out to the chapter.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tara Prakash" <taraprakash at gmail.com>
To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 10:59 PM
Subject: [Nfbf-l] {Disarmed} Presidential Memorandum
> Presidential MemorandumDear all. Forgive me if it is a repeat posting. We
> had a warm discussion in our chapter meeting last Saturday where a member
> raised concerns about the issue of subminimum wage in sheltered workshops.
> The argument was based on the assumption that in this initiative we are
> asking for the blind to be treated like everyone else. He wanted to secure
> special provision for the blind in the Randolf sheppard Act. I tried to
> dispel the his doubts by suggesting that subminimum wage issue does not
> talk separately about blind. It is for people with disabilities. The
> memorundum by President Obama seems to be preampting that misplaced
> concern.
>
> Thanks
>
> Tara
>
>
>
> Friday, January 20, 2012
> As our nation continues to recover from the economic
> downturn, the President continues to demonstrate that all Americans,
> including Americans with disabilities, must play a part in that recovery
> and have opportunities to work and contribute to our society.
>
> Today, the President issued a memorandum to the heads of
> Executive Departments and Agencies regarding the Federal Support for the
> Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program.
>
> The text is below or you can find it online at:
> http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/20/presidential-memorandum-federal-support-randolph-sheppard-vending-facili.
>
> THE WHITE HOUSE
> Office of the Press Secretary
> For Immediate Release January 20, 2012
> January 20, 2012
>
> Memorandum For the Heads of Executive Departments and
> Agencies
>
> SUBJECT: Federal Support for the Randolph-Sheppard
> Vending Facility Program
>
> Thousands of Americans who are blind have embraced the
> entrepreneurial spirit that helps define our Nation as a land of
> opportunity. Through the Federal Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility
> Program administered by the Department of Education, talented and creative
> individuals who are blind have acquired the management training and
> business skills necessary to realize the American dream -- a lifetime of
> economic opportunity, independence, and self-sufficiency for themselves
> and their families.
>
> For 75 years, blind business managers have successfully
> operated food services and commercial ventures at Federal, State, and
> private buildings and locations nationwide. We honor and celebrate this
> program's historic achievements. We also trust that the Randolph-Sheppard
> Program will continue to be a leading model for providing high-quality
> entrepreneurial opportunities for blind individuals. From a simple snack
> shop, to tourist services at the Hoover Dam, to full food-services
> operations at military installations, blind entrepreneurs have provided
> exceptional customer service to Federal and State employees, the Armed
> Forces, and the general public. With proven ability, they have challenged
> preconceived notions about disability.
>
> The Randolph-Sheppard Act (20 U.S.C. 107 et seq.) created
> the Vending Facility Program requiring qualified blind individuals be
> given a priority to operate vending facilities on Federal properties. This
> program is responsible today for providing entrepreneurial opportunities
> for over 2,500 individuals who are blind. In turn, these business managers
> have hired thousands of workers, many of whom are individuals with
> disabilities. Every American, including persons with disabilities,
> deserves the opportunity to succeed without limits, earn equal pay for
> equal jobs, and aspire to full-time, career-oriented employment.
>
> Continued support and cooperation are needed from
> executive departments, agencies, and offices (agencies) to extend the
> Randolph-Sheppard priority to qualified blind managers through the State
> licensing agencies that implement the program. Therefore, I direct all
> agencies that have property management responsibilities to ensure that
> agency officials, when pursuing the establishment and operation of vending
> facilities (including cafeterias and military dining facilities) as
> defined in 20 U.S.C. 107e, issue permits and contracts in compliance with
> the Randolph-Sheppard Program and consistent with existing regulations and
> law. I further direct the Secretary of Education, through the Commissioner
> of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, to submit a report to the
> President on agencies' implementation of the Randolph-Sheppard Program not
> later than 1 year from the date of this memorandum.
>
> This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create
> any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in
> equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies,
> or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
> The Secretary of Education is hereby authorized and
> directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.
>
> BARACK OBAMA
>
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