Zep Teams Up with AbilityOne

Zep Inc. has joined forces with AbilityOne, a federal initiative created to help blind and disabled people find employment through nonprofit agencies that sell products and services to the U.S. government.

“The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled” is the federal agency authorized to administer the AbilityOne Program. The Committee has designated two central nonprofit agencies to assist with program implementation: National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and NISH – Creating Employment Opportunities for People with Severe Disabilities. Zep Inc. has entered into a unique co-branding agreement with two AbilityOne Program agencies: Envision Inc, in Wichita, Kansas, and Lighthouse for the Blind in St. Louis, Missouri.

“This new partnership with Zep Inc. should have a profound impact on our ability to grow our business and expand employment for people who are blind. I think the partnership should pay dividends for both organizations well into the future,” said John Thompson, President, Lighthouse for the Blind-St. Louis.

Garry Gregg, Vice President of Operations for Envision states, “It’s the co-branding that Zep Inc. brings to Envision that allows us to expand what we are trying to do – increase blind labor and employment at Envision.”

A key initiative within the AbilityOne program focuses on 100% employment for individuals who are blind or disabled. With the difficult unemployment situation facing our country today, this particular segment currently experiences 70% unemployment rate.