brevard achievement center

Who Is NISH ?

NISH, formerly the National Industries for the Severely Handicapped, is the national nonprofit agency designated by the Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind Or Severely Disabled, to provide technical assistance to Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs) interested in obtaining federal contracts under the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Program. NISH was established in 1974 and currently provides information and services to more than 2,000 CRPs nationwide who are Associated with NISH; nearly 600 of which are presently providing services or producing products under the JWOD Program. NISH's role also includes working with Procurement Agencies, which are the federal entities that purchase the products and services provided by the CRPs employing individuals with disabilities.

Brevard Achievement Center is a CRP and we enlist NISH’s assistance in obtaining federal contracts. We currently manage 10 such contracts throughout Florida and Puerto Rico.

NISH Mission

Through the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program, NISH develops and maintains employment and training opportunities for people with severe disabilities.

NISH Vision

NISH envisions a society in which citizens with disabilities exercise individual decisions concerning their own lives, including employment, welfare, and personal supports and dignity.

NISH Goals

GOAL 1: Sustain existing contracts and develop new jobs for people with severe disabilities within JWOD producing community rehabilitation programs

GOAL 2: Aggressively increase employment opportunities to realize higher wages, better benefits, upward mobility, and maximize integrated employment for people with severe disabilities.

GOAL 3: Increase and improve the level of training, technical assistance, service and support to our customers.

GOAL 4: Expand and strengthen NISH's ability to monitor, influence, and initiate federal legislative, regulatory and administrative activity affecting JWOD and other public policies impacting our customers.

GOAL 5: Maintain and improve NISH's organizational effectiveness through leadership, good governance, strategic planning, resource stewardship, teamwork, technology, diversity and a highly skilled, trained and motivated team.

Association with NISH

Nearly 2,000 Private Nonprofit and State-Owned Operated Agencies are currently Associated with NISH. These agencies are located throughout the United States, including the American Samoa, Guam, Trust Territories and the Virgin Islands. These agencies receive all NISH publications, including the WORKPLACE, Marketing Update and Workforce Development News. Additionally, all Associated agencies can benefit from NISH Training opportunities and technical support.

Brevard Achievement Center has legal documentation, as required by NISH, indicating that the organization is a private nonprofit facility, established primarily for the purpose of serving people with disabilities.