About Louisiana Association for the Blind
LAB Store Plus is a division of Louisiana Association for the Blind (LAB), a not-for-profit agency that provides jobs, job training and rehabilitation services to individuals who are blind or low vision. LAB is located in Shreveport, Louisiana, and has two manufacturing facilities in Shreveport and two Base Supply Stores in Louisiana. One on Barksdale AFB, in Bossier City, and the other at Fort Johnson near Alexandria. LAB manufactures a complete line of Xerographic laser and copier papers, tablets, index cards, index sheet sets, and Safety Walk Slip Resistant Tapes and Treads, which are sold under the Skilcraft brand along with products from other affiliates of the National Industries for the Blind (NIB).
LAB’s rehabilitation services include orientation and mobility training, assistive technology, vocational training, Braille teaching, and independent living services. Our goal is to help individuals who are blind or low vision live more independently.
About LABSSSC LABSSSC operates on Fort Johnson, providing office supplies, janitorial supplies and individual equipment to U.S. military personnel. Many of the products sold at LABSSSC are manufactured by LAB and its many NIB sister agencies. LAB also provides jobs and job training to individuals who are blind or low vision.
About Ability One Program formally JWOD The Javits-Wagner-O'Day program, or JWOD, is a Federal program that creates employment opportunities for Americans who are blind or severely disabled. Thanks to JWOD, more than 37,000 blind or severely disabled Americans hold meaningful jobs. JWOD is a powerful tool in reducing the 70 percent unemployment rate for individuals who are blind or severely disabled. This guide will help you understand how JWOD works, what JWOD requires of you, and how JWOD can help you with your purchasing needs.
The story of Ability One Program formally JWOD In 1938 Congress enacted and President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Wagner-O'Day Act, which was designed to use the purchasing power of the Federal government to create opportunities for workers who were blind. In 1971, Senator Jacob Javits championed a revision of the Act that included people with other disabilities, and added services to the products already covered by JWOD.
Today, Ability One is managed by The Committee to Purchase From People Who Are Blind Or Severely Disabled, a Federal agency. The Committee is made up of experts on disabilities and purchasing experts from diverse government agencies. Two national nonprofit agencies, the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and NISH, formerly called National Industries for the Severely Handicapped, provide coordination between the Committee and the hundreds of nonprofit and state agencies that manage the work force that creates Ability One products and services.
About ABILITY ONE Products Ability One products include office supplies, clothing, janitorial supplies, cleaners, and many other kinds of products. In order to be eligible for Ability One status, 75 percent of the direct labor hours involved in the manufacture of the product must be generated by workers who are blind or severely disabled.
Ability One products must meet stringent performance standards, must be competitively priced, and must be available for on-time delivery.
From your perspective as purchaser, JWOD products are mandatory source products. Even though your purchase card gives you discretion to purchase supplies you need from different vendors, if a JWOD product meets that need, you must choose the JWOD product.
It's a good idea to obtain a JWOD catalog so you can familiarize yourself with what's available through this program. You may obtain a printed catalog from your supply store on base, online from www.jwod.gov or by calling 1-877-GET-JWOD (438-5963). You may also download spreadsheet or database versions online at www.jwod.gov.
Other advantages of JWOD Besides creating jobs for workers who are blind or severely disabled, JWOD products provide proven, high-quality supplies for your operation. Purchase of JWOD products creates prosperity for the workers who make them, reducing government entitlements and saving tax dollars. Revenue from JWOD sales helps fund rehabilitation services and social programs for nonprofit agencies nationwide. And, when products are added to the government procurement list, they significantly reduce paperwork and pre/post award costs.
Our locations:
Physical Address
Fort Johnson Army Base
Self Service Supply Center
4405 Entrance Road
Building 7802
Fort Johnson, LA 71459
Phone: (337) 378-0399
Fax: (318) 371-9141
Mailing Address
Fort Johnson Army Base
Self Service Supply Center
P.O. Box 4104
Fort Johnson, LA 71459
Phone: (337) 378-0399
Fax: (888) 371-9141
