Synopsis of Law, from Department of Labor

The AbilityOne Program creates jobs and training opportunities for people who are blind or who have other severe disabilities, empowering them to lead more productive and independent lives. Its primary means of doing so is by requiring Government agencies to purchase selected products and services from nonprofit organizations employing such individuals.

Currently, the AbilityOne Program provides employment opportunities for more than 40,000 people who are blind or have other severe disabilities by orchestrating Government purchases of products and services provided by nonprofit agencies employing such individuals throughout the country.

In 1938, the Wagner-O'Day Act was passed under President Franklin D. Roosevelt to provide employment opportunities for people who are blind by allowing them to sell products to the Federal Government.