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Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America

Blind Businessmen and Businesswomen Building a Better America

 

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COME TO SAGEBRUSH 2012

Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America (RSVA) is a national membership organization committed to improving economic opportunities for blind vendors/managers. RSVA promotes independent and effective participation in the Business Enterprise Programs. RSVA encourages the creation of new business opportunities as well as better working conditions for all vendors. RSVA actively negotiates better merchandise pricing from suppliers for blind and visually impaired vendors/managers.

RSVA is a volunteer organization composed of blind and visually impaired vendors and those individuals who support the Randolph-Sheppard program. In many states, blind vendors have joined together to form state affiliates that carry out the purposes and programs of RSVA at the local level.

President Dan Sippl

President Dan Sippl

Message from the President

We welcome you to browse through this website and contact me or any of the Board of Directors with your thoughts, but more importantly, ideas on how we can better serve you in your businesses.

 

WELCOME TO OUR WEBSITE

I would personally like to welcome you to our website as we are committed and dedicated to the enhancement of the lives of all blind individuals by nurturing the growth of the blind vendors across the nation. Along with your support, the RSVA board of Directors has committed many hours of volunteer resources to bring public awareness to the value of our program in offering employment and business opportunities for individuals who are blind and visually impaired. We have dedicated a large amount of our financial resources to improve the lives of the blindness community by offering programs that enhance the bottom line for all members to allow them to support their families. This commitment and dedication allows us to provide the “Sagebrush” training every year to assist our members and friends to stay in touch with current trends in the marketplace.

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

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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