[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 13 (Monday, April 3, 2000)]
[Pages 660-661]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Memorandum on the Continued Commitment to the Javits-Wagner-O'Day 
Program

March 29, 2000

Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

Subject: Continued Commitment to the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program

    The Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Program, named for its legislative 
sponsors, is a Federal initiative that generates employment and training 
for more than 34,000 people who are blind or who have other significant 
disabilities. These individuals, working in more than 600 nonprofit 
agencies associated with the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) or 
with NISH (a national nonprofit agency that serves persons with a wide

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range of disabilities), furnish supplies and services to the Federal 
Government under the JWOD Program.
    In recent years, the JWOD Program has faced numerous challenges as 
the Federal acquisition system has evolved in ways not envisioned even a 
decade ago. Today, for example, hundreds of thousands of Federal 
employees buy goods with purchase cards. Electronic commerce is 
expanding rapidly and commercial firms deliver goods previously stocked 
and distributed by Federal agencies. These and other procurement reforms 
have created a more direct relationship between commercial vendors and 
their Federal customers. Participants in the JWOD Program are taking 
steps to adjust to these and other changes in the Federal procurement 
environment, but the transition is a dynamic and far-reaching process 
that requires strong support from Government customers.
    As I have stated on numerous occasions, the unemployment rate for 
adults with disabilities is unacceptably high. We cannot afford to lose 
any opportunities for this segment of our population. I call upon you to 
recognize the contributions made to the Federal Government by 
individuals with disabilities under the JWOD Program and to take steps 
to ensure that your agencies' procurement executives, and other 
employees who acquire supplies for your agency, purchase JWOD products 
and services, consistent with existing law. Their support for the JWOD 
Program will help people with significant disabilities become and remain 
more independent and productive members of society. It is particularly 
important to encourage those entrusted with Federal purchase cards to be 
vigilant in continuing to purchase the reasonably priced products and 
services (including SKILCRAFT items) supplied through the JWOD Program.
    The JWOD Program also provides many recycled content, 
environmentally preferable, and energy efficient products. The purchase 
of these items would enable the Federal Government to continue its 
leadership of the ``greening of the government'' initiative while 
invigorating the JWOD Program.
    Representatives of the Committee for Purchase From People Who are 
Blind or Severely Disabled (the Federal entity responsible for the JWOD 
Program), NIB, or NISH will contact your procurement staff in the near 
future to explore steps that your agency can take to increase support 
for the JWOD Program at this critical juncture.
                                            William J. Clinton

Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of 
this memorandum.