Skilcraft
Encyclopedia
Skilcraft is a trade name
of the National Industries for the Blind, an organization created by the Wagner-O'Day Act of 1938 to create employment opportunities for blind
Americans
. Products bearing the Skilcraft brand are commonly used in United States federal government institutions, including the United States Postal Service
. They are also commonly sold in U.S. military base exchanges
.
signed the Wagner-O'Day Act which directed the government to purchase products manufactured by blind Americans. In 1971, Senator
Jacob Javits introduced legislation extending the act to severely handicapped individuals. Today, known as the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act
, this legislation is implemented by The Committee for Purchase from People who are Blind or Severely Disabled, an independent federal agency. The Committee for Purchase has designated the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and NISH to be the two central, non-profit organizations which coordinate government acquisitions from hundreds of independent organizations for the blind and severely handicapped.
supplies. Skilcraft also provides services, such as call centers, on a contract basis to government agencies.
Trade name
A trade name, also known as a trading name or a business name, is the name which a business trades under for commercial purposes, although its registered, legal name, used for contracts and other formal situations, may be another....
of the National Industries for the Blind, an organization created by the Wagner-O'Day Act of 1938 to create employment opportunities for blind
Blindness
Blindness is the condition of lacking visual perception due to physiological or neurological factors.Various scales have been developed to describe the extent of vision loss and define blindness...
Americans
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Products bearing the Skilcraft brand are commonly used in United States federal government institutions, including the United States Postal Service
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
. They are also commonly sold in U.S. military base exchanges
Base exchange
A Base Exchange is a type of retail store operating on United States military installations worldwide...
.
Legislative background
In 1938, President RooseveltFranklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
signed the Wagner-O'Day Act which directed the government to purchase products manufactured by blind Americans. In 1971, Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Jacob Javits introduced legislation extending the act to severely handicapped individuals. Today, known as the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act
Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act
The Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act et seq. is a U.S. federal law requiring that all federal agencies purchase specified supplies and services from nonprofit agencies employing persons who are blind or have other significant disabilities. The Act was passed by the 92nd United States Congress in 1971; it...
, this legislation is implemented by The Committee for Purchase from People who are Blind or Severely Disabled, an independent federal agency. The Committee for Purchase has designated the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and NISH to be the two central, non-profit organizations which coordinate government acquisitions from hundreds of independent organizations for the blind and severely handicapped.
Skilcraft products
The Skilcraft trade name was introduced in 1952. Skilcraft focuses on providing expendable property to the government. The first products manufactured under the program were mops and brooms for cleaning government offices. Later, pens and office supplies were introduced. Today, the Skilcraft name encompasses more than 3,000 products including office supplies, janitorial equipment, uniforms, and hospitalHospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
supplies. Skilcraft also provides services, such as call centers, on a contract basis to government agencies.