Georgia 
 
Department of Labor 
 
SUITE 642 
 
 
 
(404) 232-3685 
 
148 INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD, N.E. 
 
 
 
FAX (404) 657-9996 
 
 
 
NEWS RELEASE 
 
 
 
ATLANTA, GA 30303-1751 
 
Communications@dol.state.ga.us 
 
Michael Thurmond 
 
Sam Hall 
 
Commissioner 
 
Director of Communications 
 
April 24, 2008...............................................................FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
 
GIB recognized for employment of workers who are blind 
 
ATLANTA  State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said today that the Georgia Industries for the Blind (GIB) recently received the Employment Growth Award from the National Industries for the Blind (NIB). The award is for GIB's commitment to increase employment and economic opportunities for those who are blind. 
 
GIB, which is operated by the Georgia Department of Labor, is a local non-profit agency with manufacturing plants in Bainbridge and Griffin that employs approximately 100 workers who are blind and produce high quality products. 
 
"We're extremely proud of GIB for winning this national award," said Commissioner Thurmond. "It's symbolic of the Georgia Department of Labor's commitment to increase employment and economic opportunities for those who are blind." 
 
GIB executive director Jim Hughes said, "We're pleased to provide employment opportunities for people who are blind. Our employees represent a dedicated and loyal workforce. We hope to serve as an example of the capabilities of people who are blind, while at the same time providing quality products and services to our customers." 
 
Seven out of 10 working age Americans who are blind are not employed. Federal purchasing of SKILCRAFT and other products and services under the AbilityOne Program (formerly the JavitsWagner-O'Day Program) from NIB associated agencies, like GIB, provides employment nationally for more than 5,600 Americans who are blind. 
 
Created in 1938 and amended in 1971, the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Act and the AbilityOne Program provide employment opportunities for people who are blind and provide products and services to government and commercial customers. In fact, NIB and its associated agencies represent the single largest employment program in the country for people who are blind. Today, the program stands as a national employment model. 
 
"At NIB, we are happy to reward our agencies for their efforts to retain and grow employment and create upward mobility options for people who are blind," said Jim Gibbons, President and CEO of NIB. "Their hard work and achievements are enabling more people who are blind to achieve socioeconomic independence and equality, and that is a shared mission that is vitally important." 
 
In 2006, the NIB Board of Directors created the Employment Retention, Growth and Upward Mobility Reward Program to promote employment opportunities for people who are blind at NIB associated agencies. This program provides $500,000 in funding for reward distribution to those agencies that retain, grow, place or promote employees who are blind. GIB has won this award both years the award has been in existence. 
 
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