About Us
Affiliations
IFB is an associated agency with National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and supports all programs and services provided by this organization. IFB produces Skilcraft products and abides by the AbilityOne (formerly Javis-Wagner-O'Day Act) which seeks to provide employment opportunities for the blind and those who are significantly disabled.
NIB-Associated Agencies perform a wide-range of service contracts for the Federal government under the AbilityOne mandatory source program. Time after time, NIB Associated Agencies have been recognized for outstanding quality and exemplary achievement in service contracts. These contracts create employment for people who are blind, while at the same time providing Federal customers with a cost-effective means of contracting for vital services without increasing actual Government staff.
NIB (National Industries for the Blind) is a private, not-for-profit corporation whose mission is to enhance the opportunities for economic and personal independence of persons who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment. Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, NIB accomplishes its mission by developing business opportunities in the federal, state, and commercial marketplaces for 83 associated agencies operating 123 industries in 44 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.
NIB was incorporated in 1938 as a result of the Wagner-O'Day Act, legislation that established a Federal market for the purchase of products manufactured by organizations employing people with severe vision disabilities. The Act was amended in 1971 as the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act (now AbilityOne) to provide for the purchase of both products and services and included Federal purchasing from industries serving people with other significant disabilities. A sister organization was formed called National Industries for the Severely Handicapped (NISH) to represent these agencies with the Federal Government.
The Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled is a Federal agency, which administers the AbilityOne program. Their members include senior officials from major Federal procurement agencies and private citizens representing people who are blind and otherwise severely disabled who are appointed by the President of the United States.For further information on the National Industries for the Blind, Javits-Wagner-O'Day (now AbilityOne) or Skilcraft, please visit these websites:
