Jon Toomey, President
The Coalition for a Prosperous America
712 H Street NE, Suite 2214
Washington, DC 20002
Subject: Setting the Record Straight on the AbilityOne Program
Dear Mr. Toomey:
We recently reviewed the article titled “How AbilityOne Turned Against the Disabled” published by the Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA). The claims made in that piece are not only inaccurate—they fundamentally misrepresent the AbilityOne Program, National Industries for the Blind (NIB), and the life-changing work performed by Americans who are blind at nonprofit agencies nationwide. Because the author did not seek input from NIB prior to publication, these misconceptions and inaccuracies were left unaddressed. While it is unnecessary to respond to every misstatement, it is essential to clarify the facts and underscore the extraordinary impact of the AbilityOne Program.
Let us be clear: The AbilityOne Program is the most successful employment initiative for people who are blind or have significant disabilities in the history of our nation. It is a proven model that delivers opportunity, independence, and dignity to tens of thousands of Americans who face systemic barriers to employment.
Ignoring the Human Impact
The most significant flaw in the article is its failure to recognize the lived experiences of tens of thousands of Americans who are blind or have significant disabilities. Misconceptions and biases about the capabilities of these individuals persist, creating formidable barriers to employment. Consider this: according to the American Foundation for the Blind,* in 2024, only 44% of working-age individuals with visual impairments participated in the labor force, compared to 75% of those without impairments. Among those in labor force, unemployment stood at 10% for people with visual impairments versus just 4% for others. Even with federal goals requiring contractors to maintain a workforce that includes at least 7% individuals with disabilities, most contractors fail to meet this benchmark.
A Proven Model for Inclusion and Economic Value
The AbilityOne Program exists to break these barriers. It provides meaningful careers for nearly 39,000 Americans who are blind or have significant disabilities, including 2,500 veterans and wounded warriors. These jobs deliver income, healthcare, training, and independence—while strengthening local economies in every state. The Program also delivers exceptional value to taxpayers: a 2023 Mathematica study** found that for every $1 spent on administration, the Program generates $2.66 in economic return, reducing reliance on federal benefits and reinforcing its role as a smart investment. Importantly, this impact is achieved with significantly less than 1% of the federal government’s procurement spend.
Supporting Domestic Manufacturing and National Security
Contrary to the article’s claims, NIB strongly supports efforts to strengthen and expand U.S. manufacturing. The AbilityOne Program is a vital component of the defense industrial base, supplying uniforms, equipment, and essential products to America’s warfighters. During the COVID-19 pandemic, while much of the nation was locked down, AbilityOne employees served as essential workers—keeping government operations running and responding to urgent needs.
Our Mission Is Service
We understand that some contractors may not fully appreciate the Program’s fundamental purpose: creating employment, not profit. The AbilityOne Program relies on a very small fraction of federal procurement spend to create employment opportunities for Americans who are blind or have significant disabilities. Unlike for-profit entities, we have no shareholders or business owners. Our mission is service: service to federal customers, the communities we support, and to taxpayers.
A Call to Action
We invite CPA members to engage with us in constructive dialogue. Together, we can explore opportunities to collaborate on new projects for the Procurement List and identify ways CPA members can employ individuals who are blind within their organizations. Through NSITE, our workforce development arm, we are training the workforce of the future and partnering with employers to recruit, hire, and support talented individuals who are blind.
We look forward to working together to advance shared goals of economic growth, inclusion, and opportunity.
Sincerely,
Soraya Correa
President and CEO
National Industries for the Blind
* https://www.afb.org/research-and-initiatives/statistics/employment-bvi
** https://www.sourceamerica.org/sites/default/files/2023-06/socioeconomic-impact-analysis-evaluation-report.pdf