Friday, January 20, 2012
As our nation continues to recover from the economic downturn,
the President continues to demonstrate that all Americans, including Americans
with disabilities, must play a part in that recovery and have opportunities to
work and contribute to our society.
Today, the President issued a memorandum to the heads of Executive
Departments and Agencies regarding the Federal Support for the Randolph-Sheppard
Vending Facility Program.
The text is below or you can find it online at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/20/presidential-memorandum-federal-support-randolph-sheppard-vending-facili
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THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release January 20, 2012
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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