Defending the JWOD Principle

Defending the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act (41 U.S.C. §§ 46-48c)

By: Scott P. Pavelle, Esq.

DISCLAIMER

This article was written in mid-2003. It is intended to provide background
information for a lay reader and to indicate our familiarity with the general
field. DO NOT USE THIS ARTICLE AS THE BASIS FOR DECIDING ON A COURSE
OF ACTION. The information provided herein amounts to generalities that may or
may not apply to your specific case, has not been updated, and may therefore be
100% wrong at a later date. Consult an attorney before deciding on any specific
action, and keep in mind two old saws that couldn’t be more relevant:

“A little knowledge is a dangerous thing,”

and

“The lawyer who handles his own case has a fool for a client.”

I am probably the foremost critic of the Javits-Wagner-O’Day (“JWOD”) Act program as administered by the Committee for Purchase from People who are Blind or Severely Disabled (the “Committee”) with the assistance/cooperation/collaboration of the two central nonprofit agencies (the “CNAs”) called NISH (f/k/a National Industries for the Severely Handicapped) and National Industries for the Blind (“NIB”). Other articles describe the structure of the JWOD program, discuss how contractors may oppose JWOD actions that would deprive them of government contracts, and offer some suggestions for its reform. This article defends the premise and the underlying worthiness of having a JWOD program in the first place.

Over the years I have observed that sheltered workshops seem to fall into two distinct categories, which I generally call the “Social Worker / Take-Care-Of-Me” model and the “Just Give Me A Chance” model typified by the Americans with Disabilities Act. My central problem with the JWOD Act comes from the fact that it is a particularly inefficient remnant of the first model, and my personal philosophy strongly favors the second. The inefficiency and waste are what add teeth to those objections.

There is a third model though, the “Who Needs Them Anyway, Just Keep Them Out Of Sight” approach. Samuel Johnson said “A decent provision for the poor is the true test of civilization,” a quote that meshes well with a line that many have used, “a society is measured by how it treats its least fortunate members.” It’s probably inescapable that people will want to focus on that which is better, prettier, easier and more hopeful than things that are disturbing, depressing, and difficult. You could therefore argue that the impulse to ignore the handicapped reflects an inherent facet of human nature.”

Societies, and the governments that grow with them, exist to help us act the way we should rather than the way our basest nature would direct. Government should see to it that the handicapped receive their chances, and should help us to rise above any “natural” impulse to ignore them. The question is “how to do it,” and the answer lies in reforming the JWOD Act.

Article on the Structure of the JWOD Program

Article on Opposing Proposed Additions to the Procurement List

Suggestions for Improving the JWOD Program

 

Scott P. Pavelle, Esq.
110 Isolda Dr.
Pittsburgh, PA 15209
Direct: (412) 325-2535
E-mail: scottp@pavellelaw.com
Web Page: www.PavelleLaw.com