IFB President & CEO David Horton Responds to U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit Decision (10/17/18)

Contact
Nicole Ducouer, IFB Solutions Director of Corporate Communications
336-245-5615 | nducouer@ifbsolutions.org

Background
Since 2016, IFB Solutions has been involved in litigation alongside the U.S. Government to protect jobs for people who are blind. The case centers around whether veteran-owned small businesses should receive priority for contracts with the Department of Veterans Affairs over AbilityOne nonprofits like IFB Solutions who employ people who are blind. Today, we received a ruling on our appeal filed in Federal Claims court that upheld a lower court decision to rule in favor of veteran-owned small businesses.

IFB Solutions President & CEO David Horton Statement
IFB Solutions remains 100% committed to our mission of creating life-changing jobs and opportunities for people who are blind.

As we have said before, we believe strongly in protecting jobs for people who are blind and we will fight this decision all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary. 

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month — a time when we focus on growing awareness of the extraordinary employment challenges faced by people who are blind. Seventy percent of working-age adults are not employed, and it is paramount that AbilityOne agencies like IFB Solutions continue our work as defined by the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act of 1938 with the specific intent of creating employment opportunities for those who are blind or with severe disabilities.

Today’s court decision underscores the importance and absolute necessity of awareness and advocacy on behalf of people who are blind seeking the chance to have a job of their choice. 

Right now, we are weighing our options to decide our next steps.