People with disabilities remain an untapped resource in the nation’s workforce, facing an alarming unemployment rate of 70 percent.
NISH, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing employment for people with disabilities, is working to change this reality. Through the Javits-Wagner-O’Day (JWOD) Program, NISH secures federal contracts for agencies that employ individuals with severe disabilities. To take their mission further, they have introduced the “Centers of Excellence” initiative.
Under this new program, selected agencies—designated as Centers of Excellence—mentor other nonprofit agencies. These mentors share best practices and help improve the quality of services and products delivered to the federal government, raising the standard across the board.
The JWOD Program is the largest source of jobs in the United States for people with disabilities. It provides employment opportunities for over 45,000 individuals who are blind or have other severe disabilities. Through a network of over 600 nonprofit agencies, NISH helps create structured work environments that train, employ, and empower people who often face significant barriers to employment.
The roots of this effort trace back to 1938, when the Wagner-O’Day Act was passed to offer job opportunities to the blind by allowing them to sell mops and brooms to the federal government. In 1971, the law was amended to become more inclusive—extending to individuals with other severe disabilities and allowing these agencies to provide services, not just goods.
Despite these initiatives, employment for people with disabilities continues to be a major challenge. A recent Harris Interactive survey found that two out of three unemployed individuals with disabilities want to work. However, they face ongoing barriers including lack of accessibility and insufficient job opportunities.
Programs like JWOD and NISH’s Centers of Excellence are crucial in bridging this gap—creating inclusive, supportive environments where people with disabilities can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the workforce