NIB Calls for Senate Support of United Nations’ Treaty
December 3, 2012, Alexandria, VA – National Industries for the Blind (NIB), the nation’s leading employment resource for people who are blind, announced their support for the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities today. On the 20th International Day of Persons with Disabilities, NIB urges the Senate to ratify the treaty created by the United Nations that protects the rights of people living with disabilities, including equal treatment and non-discrimination in access to employment.
“The path to personal and economic independence begins with employment,” says Kevin Lynch, President and CEO of NIB. “Being blind or having a disability should not be a barrier to employment. NIB strongly supports this treaty, which helps protect fundamental rights for people all over the world.”
NIB’s mission is to create and sustain employment for people who are blind. Working with a nationwide network of 90 associated nonprofit agencies, NIB helps to employ nearly 6,000 Americans who are blind. NIB is a strong supporter and advocate for employment issues affecting the blindness community, and provides training, rehabilitative services, and professional development opportunities to thousands of people who are blind each year.
###
About National Industries for the Blind (NIB)
For nearly 75 years, NIB has been focused on enhancing the opportunities for economic and personal independence of people who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment. NIB and its network of 90 associated nonprofit agencies nationwide serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® and other products and services through the AbilityOne Program, established by the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act. For more information, visit www.nib.org.
Contact:
Mike Johnson
mgjohnson@nib.org
703-310-0568