2020 JAVITS-WAGNER-O’DAY LEGAL & POLICY SYMPOSIUM
SESSION DESCRIPTIONS
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 – IT TAKES A VILLAGE
(Increasing employment opportunities within the federal government for people with disabilities.)
Join Melwood for this kick off session to our Virtual Conference Series and hear about the government’s current and future initiatives towards inclusive employment, as well as how the private sector, federal agencies/ departments, and nonprofit agencies can be a part of the solution!
Tuesday, October 6, 2020 – 20/20 VISION: THE FUTURE NPA
(The NPA as critical partner in the integrated effort towards an inclusive workforce.)
Join NPA leaders in a discussion about exciting and innovative training and employment programs geared towards creating work opportunities for people with disabilities both inside and outside of the AbilityOne Program. We will discuss how the Program fits into the larger vision of a world in which people with disabilities are fully included in the workforce, strategize on innovative ways to train people with disabilities for high-demand labor positions, and share ideas on diversifying revenue streams and career paths for our stakeholders.
Tuesday, October 13, 2020 – MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL
(Perception and brand of the U.S. AbilityOne Program.)
Candid conversations with key stakeholders, including federal agencies, elected officials, and disability rights advocates, about the perception and brand of the Program and the role of the U.S. AbilityOne Commission, the Central Nonprofit Agencies, and NPAs in improving and maintaining the reputation and brand of the Program.
Tuesday, October 20, 2020 – TO BE OR NOT TO BE
(Competitive integrated employment (CIE) within the AbilityOne Program.)
Join federal procurement experts, disability employment policymakers, and congressional staffers as they review the definition of CIE and the current and proposed structures of the AbilityOne Program, to discuss whether the Program IS and/or CAN BE CIE, and the economic, social, and structural implications for the Program and its stakeholders.
Tuesday, October 27, 2020 – LET’S ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES
(What statutory, regulatory, and administrative changes will it take to implement the 898 Panel Recommendations?)
Deep dive into the legislative and regulatory processes and efforts it will take to make statutory, regulatory, and administrative changes to the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act (JWOD) and the AbilityOne Program. How long will this process take? How do the Federal Register Act and the Administrative Procedure Act apply to AbilityOne-related rulemaking?
Monday, November 02, 2020 – BOOTS ON THE GROUND
(Inclusion of Veterans in the AbilityOne Program.)
Is the AbilityOne Program ready to serve significantly disabled veterans? What is the role of the Program in the creation of employment opportunities for veterans? What are the current employment needs of significantly disabled veterans? What accommodations do veterans need to be successful on the job? How does the Program need to change to include significantly disabled veterans as part of its mission?
Tuesday, November 10, 2020 – WHEN THE DUST SETTLES
(Aftermath of the VA Rule of Two.)
What lessons should the AbilityOne community take away from the judicial, regulatory, and legislative activities of the last 4 years related to the VA’s Rule of Two as it applies to products and services on the AbilityOne Procurement List? How do we leverage current Congressional focus on the AbilityOne Program? What does this mean for the future of procurement, advocacy and lobbying for the AbilityOne Program?
Tuesday, November 17, 2020 – WAR (COMPETITION)?, WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR?
(Competition and pricing in the U.S. AbilityOne Program.)
Hear from experts in the public and private sectors on economics and pricing practices in federal acquisition. Discuss the myths and realities of the impacts of competitive pricing on federal procurement. What are the differences and limitations, and what can AbilityOne stakeholders learn from other federal programs as the 898 Panel proposes to implement significant changes to existing NPA Recommendation practices? How does competition work in different federal preference/priority programs? What value does competition bring to federal procurement and the Program? How can the government receive a fair and reasonable price and quality services while protecting the mission and sustainability of the Program and the NPAs?