National Disability Employment Awareness Month Published Sept. 4, 2008 By Dale Perchert MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and IBExpress Base Supply Store will be holding an open house complete with food and giveaways, open to all members of Malmstrom. The open house will be held September 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in building 410. NDEAM is the perfect time to embrace the AbilityOne Program, which provides more than 48,000 employment opportunities and is the largest single source of employment for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities in the United States. Our BSC is part of the BSC network of National Industries for the Blind, a nonprofit organization that functions as part of the AbilityOne Program and enhances the opportunities for economic and personal independence of people who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment, and NISH-- Creating Employment Opportunities for People With Severe Disabilities. Federal purchasing of SKILCRAFT® and other products and services under the AbilityOne Program employs thousands of Americans who are blind or have other severe disabilities across the nation. Through this employment, people who are blind and working at NIB associated agencies or BSCs are able to serve their country by providing necessary products and services to the federal government and the armed services. Seven out of 10 working-age Americans who are blind are not employed. Our BSC is an important part of providing the federal acquisition workforce with a unique opportunity to help improve this disturbing number. As a result of this extraordinary socioeconomic program, nonprofit agencies provide federal customers with a wide array of quality products and services while allowing thousands of people who are blind or have other severe disabilities to lead more productive and independent lives, pay taxes, help support families and join in the American work experience. For most federal employees, October heralds the beginning of a new fiscal year, but for us, it also represents a time to break down attitudinal barriers and false assumptions about people who are blind or have other severe disabilities. Your attendance at our Open House and efforts to develop awareness and educate the federal workforce about this important issue will help ensure Malmstrom AFB, makes an important contribution to this cause. Best Regards, Dale Perchert Manager Malmstrom@basesupplystores.com