AbilityOne products are products and services that are provided by nonprofit organizations that employ people with disabilities. The AbilityOne program was created by the U.S. Congress in 1938 as the Wagner-O’Day Act and was later amended and renamed the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act in 1971.
The program is managed by the U.S. AbilityOne Commission, which is an independent federal agency that administers the program in partnership with nonprofit agencies. These nonprofit agencies provide job training and employment opportunities for people who are blind or have other significant disabilities, including veterans.
The AbilityOne program aims to promote the employment of people with disabilities and provide quality products and services to the federal government. The program offers a wide range of products and services, including office supplies, janitorial services, uniforms, and food services. The products and services provided through the AbilityOne program are sold to federal agencies through the General Services Administration (GSA) and other authorized procurement channels.
Purchasing AbilityOne products helps to support employment opportunities for people with disabilities and promotes the mission of the program. In addition, federal agencies are required by law to purchase certain products and services from the AbilityOne program if they are available and meet the agency’s needs.
Overall, the AbilityOne program is an important initiative that helps to provide employment opportunities and promote independence for people with disabilities, while also providing high-quality products and services to the federal government.