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Message from President Obama
(The RSVA president and legislative committee; Melanie Brunson, Eric Bridges, and Mitch Pomerantz from the American Council of the Blind; as well as Lynnae Ruttledge from the
Rehabilitation Services Administration worked diligently to facilitate this decision by the President and White house staff. We publicly thank all of them for making this
important directive possible.)
President Barack Obama
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release January 20, 2012
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
SUBJECT: Federal Support for the Randolph-Sheppard Vending
Facility Program
Thousands of Americans who are blind have embraced the
entrepreneurial spirit that helps define our Nation as a land
of opportunity. Through the Federal Randolph-Sheppard Vending
Facility Program administered by the Department of Education,
talented and creative individuals who are blind have acquired
the management training and business skills necessary to realize
the American dream -- a lifetime of economic opportunity,
independence, and self-sufficiency for themselves and their
families.
For 75 years, blind business managers have successfully operated
food services and commercial ventures at Federal, State, and
private buildings and locations nationwide. We honor and
celebrate this program's historic achievements. We also trust
that the Randolph-Sheppard Program will continue to be a leading
model for providing high-quality entrepreneurial opportunities
for blind individuals. From a simple snack shop, to tourist
services at the Hoover Dam, to full food-services operations at
military installations, blind entrepreneurs have provided
exceptional customer service to Federal and State employees,
the Armed Forces, and the general public. With proven ability,
they have challenged preconceived notions about disability.
The Randolph-Sheppard Act (20 U.S.C. 107 et seq.) created the
Vending Facility Program requiring qualified blind individuals
be given a priority to operate vending facilities on Federal
properties. This program is responsible today for providing
entrepreneurial opportunities for over 2,500 individuals who are
blind. In turn, these business managers have hired thousands of
workers, many of whom are individuals with disabilities. Every
American, including persons with disabilities, deserves the
opportunity to succeed without limits, earn equal pay for equal
jobs, and aspire to full-time, career-oriented employment.
Continued support and cooperation are needed from executive
departments, agencies, and offices (agencies) to extend the
Randolph-Sheppard priority to qualified blind managers through
the State licensing agencies that implement the program.
Therefore, I direct all agencies that have property management
responsibilities to ensure that agency officials, when pursuing
the establishment and operation of vending facilities (including
cafeterias and military dining facilities) as defined in
20 U.S.C. 107e, issue permits and contracts in compliance with
the Randolph-Sheppard Program and consistent with existing
regulations and law. I further direct the Secretary of
Education, through the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation
Services Administration, to submit a report to the President on
agencies' implementation of the Randolph-Sheppard Program not
later than 1 year from the date of this memorandum.
This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any
right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law
or in equity by any party against the United States, its
departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or
agents, or any other person.
The Secretary of Education is hereby authorized and directed to
publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.
BARACK OBAMA
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