August 10, 2020—“National Industries for the Blind (NIB) applauds the passage of H.R. 4920 by Congress late last month, and its signing into law this weekend by President Donald Trump. This legislation helps preserve employment for hundreds of people who are blind nationwide, including veterans who are blind, who manufacture products and provide services for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in support of our nation’s veterans.
NIB greatly appreciates the leadership and diligence of the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs and the hard work that led to introduction and passage of H.R. 4920. Thank you to House VA Committee chairman Mark Takano and ranking member Dr. Phil Roe, and to Senate VA Committee chairman Jerry Moran and ranking member Jon Tester. These committee leaders and their staffs worked tirelessly to get this compromise legislation passed, and we are grateful for their commitment and steadfastness.
We are also thankful to the members of both VA committees for their strong and unwavering support, as well as other representatives and senators who acted on behalf of their constituents whose careers were being threatened by this issue.
We also appreciate the partnership and support provided by Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), National Federation of the Blind (NFB), and American Council of the Blind (ACB).
NIB and its associated nonprofit agencies are committed to supporting our nation’s veterans. We proudly employ 600 veterans across the country, including veterans who are blind, in a variety of manufacturing and professional services fields. In addition to providing rewarding careers and opportunities for training and professional development, we provide veterans and their families with rehabilitation and other critical services, and help veterans successfully transition to civilian life.”
###
About National Industries for the Blind
Since 1938, National Industries for the Blind (NIB) has 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 associated nonprofit agencies are the nation’s largest employer of people who are blind through the manufacture and provision of SKILCRAFT® and other products and services of the AbilityOne® Program. For more information about NIB, visit NIB.org.