Chairman Ed Towns Earns the 'Spirit of Independence Award' from National Industries for the Blind

Coinciding with the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Economic and Personal Independence for People Who are Blind

WASHINGTON, July 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Chairman Edolphus (Ed) Towns (D-10th-New York), a long-time AbilityOne Champion, has earned the "Spirit of Independence Award," in recognition of his lifetime commitment to advance economic and personal independence for people who are blind. National Industries for the Blind's President and CEO Kevin Lynch presented the prestigious award to Chairman Towns at a ceremony on Capitol Hill on July 30, 2010.  

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"I am honored to receive NIB's Spirit of Independence Award.  From teaching travel with a white cane in my community to working with my colleagues on legislation to bring employment opportunities to the blind and disabled, I am deeply proud of my relationship with the blind and disabled communities.  I look forward to working with NIB now and in the future to build upon our achievements that benefit individuals who are blind and disabled," Towns said.

The Spirit of Independence Award was presented in conjunction with the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA bans workplace discrimination against qualified people with disabilities.

NIB and its 90 community-based nonprofit agencies employ nearly 6,000 people who are blind. These blind Americans produce SKILCRAFT® products and provide business and support services to the federal government and U.S. military through the AbilityOne Program.  Products range from military uniforms to pens, and services include call center operations and contract closeout services.  

"Chairman Towns is a tremendous leader who is on the forefront for changing the landscape to ensure people who are blind have equal economic opportunities.  In light of the 20th Anniversary of the ADA, this award honors and recognizes his commitment to increasing economic opportunity and independence for people who are blind," Lynch said.

About National Industries for the Blind (NIB)

At National Industries for the Blind (NIB), it is our mission to enhance the opportunities for economic and personal independence of persons who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment.  NIB and 90 associated agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services through the AbilityOne Program (Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program). www.NIB.org.

About the AbilityOne Program

AbilityOne Program supports the employment of more than 40,000 people who are blind or have other severe disabilities through federal contracts through two central nonprofit agencies, National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and NISH (serving people with a range of disabilities).  There are more than 600 nonprofit agencies nationwide working within the AbilityOne Program. www.AbilityOne.gov.

SOURCE National Industries for the Blind