Emotion and an enormous sense of pride were abundant at the National Industries for the Blind’s 2013 (NIB) annual conference held in Washington, D.C. The conference brought together hundreds of people to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the landmark legislation that created the AbilityOne program. 75 years ago President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Wagner-O’Day Act into law which created work opportunities for people who are blind. The AbilityOne Program was a direct result of this new law and paved the way for the creation of Beyond Vision.
Today, the AbilityOne Program is the largest single-source of jobs for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities in the United States, employing more than 50,000 people, while at the same time being the single smallest line item in the federal budget. “NIB and its associated agencies continue to show the world that there are no limits to what people who are blind can do,” said Kevin Lynch, president and CEO of NIB.
The event celebrates the mission of providing employment for people who are blind, and honors employees from all over the country who overcome obstacles to become successful. Beyond Vision was a big part of the celebration by honoring three of its employees, Alma Brown, Jim Fritch, and Emeric Rokay for their contribution to the mission. Each was recognized at the banquette with a plaque commemorating their accomplishment. It was a proud moment for Beyond Vision staff and a greatly deserved honor to those nominated.
The highlight of the evening occurred when Gerald Jones stepped to the podium to receive the Peter J Salmon Award for the Employee of the Year. Mr. Jones who had worked in the electrical trade the better part of his life, despite being legally blind, lost his job at the age of 46. He was distraught…without pay or benefits until 4 years later when he found an AbilityOne agency. Now at age 67, after 21 years of successful employment he began to tell his story. His voice began to quiver, tears streamed down his face, and he turned away from the podium to gain his composure. Before he could turn around to resume his acceptance speech, all 1,300 plus in the audience rose to their feet and wildly cheered and applauded. Mr. Jones continued by giving thanks to all in attendance but most importantly he thanked those who had the wisdom to create the AbilityOne program. This program gave Mr. Jones a second chance to show that people who are blind have no limits.