History

National Industries for the Blind (NIB) can trace its beginnings to a handful of individuals who came together at a national level and generated the start of the 1938 Wagner-O’Day Act. On August 10, 1938, NIB was incorporated as a 501C3, private, nonprofit corporation "to promote the welfare of blind persons in general and blind workers in particular."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1938	President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Wagner-O’Day Act.
1943	NIB expands services to associated agencies to include liaising with government agencies, distribution and product development.
1949	The General Services Administration (GSA) is established in June, and the Bureau of Federal Supply is transferred from the Treasury Department to GSA.
1950	NIB opens an office in Washington, DC, to maintain liaison with government departments.
1952	NIB launches SKILCRAFT™, the brand name for quality consumer products made by people who are blind.
1969	NIB establishes a rehabilitation services division to increase skills and abilities of people who are blind or have other disabilities.
1971	Senator Jacob K. Javits sponsors legislation adding the purchase of services and including agencies serving people with other severe disabilities to the original Wagner-O’Day Act. The legislation becomes known as the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act.
1975	NIB establishes its first financial assistance program for associated agencies and creates a subcontract department to assist associated agencies with subcontract work.
1977	NIB forms legislative affairs and public relations departments to develop a greater presence in government and public affairs.
1981	NIB establishes a compliance department to assist associated agencies with legal and regulatory requirements.
1984	NIB constructs a new Technical Center to provide staff with advanced laboratory facilities, production line testing, rehabilitation engineering and training capabilities.
1995	NIB associated agencies take on new service contracts in warehousing and distribution; customer service; order entry; invoicing; data entry; and database management.
2007	Committee for Purchase changes name of program from the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program to AbilityOne. The name and purpose of the act remain unchanged.