Press Release

Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled Contact: LaWanda York Public Affairs Phone: (703) 603-2128 Fax: (703) 603-0655 Email: lyork@jwod.gov

For immediate release

AbilityOne Adopts New Brand Identity

formerly known as the JWOD Program

Washington, DC, April 30, 2007- The independent federal agency that administers the AbilityOne (formerly Javits-Wagner-O'Day) Program has approved a new logo for the recently adopted AbilityOne Program name. It will be available for use by nonprofit and government agencies participating in this governmentwide initiative.

The logo creates a unique brand identity for the AbilityOne Program -- to help communicate what makes the program special, to distinguish it from other programs and to leave a lasting impression with our various audiences.

"Branding is essential in today's marketing world. This brand will establish an identity for current and future participants to think of AbilityOne first," said Mr. Andrew D. Houghton, Chairperson for the Committee. "Our conception was for people to recognize our brand and immediately know who we are, "AbilityOne" the program that provides thousands of jobs for people who are blind or severely disabled and quality products and services to our federal government customers."

After the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled approved the name change, a staff working group, including representatives from the Program's two Central Nonprofit Agencies, National Industries for the Blind and NISH (creating jobs for people with severe disabilities), began working on the logo or graphic brand identity that will accompany the AbilityOne name in future communications.

The design represents different parts of the program coming together and becoming a unit. The three boxes represent people working together for one cause. The red box stands strong at the top, holding the name AbilityOne. The navy blue box holds a star, representing quality - "a job well done." The light blue box represents the people and entities that make AbilityOne possible. The light blue is a field of color that stands alone or can hold different entity names such as "program," "network" or "team member." The logo also works as a seal of quality, a stamp of approval.

NISH will launch the unveiling of the AbilityOne Program brand officially at its National Training and Achievement Conference in Grapevine, Texas, on April 29, 2007. Following the launch the new logo and guidelines for its use will be posted on the Committee's Web site at www.JWOD.gov or www.AbilityOne.gov.

Although the name has changed the AbilityOne Program's mission remains the same, to provide employment opportunities for people who are blind or have severe disabilities in the manufacture and delivery of products and services to the federal government. As the largest source of employment of people who are blind or have severe disabilities in the United States, the AbilityOne Program taps into the abilities of nearly 47,000 individuals nationwide in coordination with over 600 nonprofit agencies.

The Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program name and JWOD acronym will continue to be used for the next 12 months alongside the AbilityOne brand. This transition period will enable customers and supporters to recognize that the JWOD Program is now the AbilityOne Program.