The Ability Indiana Program was established in 1976 as a means to provide sustainable, fulfilling employment to individuals with disabilities. By partnering with Certified Ability Indiana Organizations around the state, the program provides quality goods and services to state and local governments at reasonable prices, providing the opportunity of employment for individuals with disabilities.
Ability Indiana, Inc. is the 501(c)3 non-profit organization designated as the Central Coordinating Agency (CCA) by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration to operate the Ability Indiana Program. The Ability Indiana Program is sometimes referred to as a "State Use Program." State Use Programs are established in over twenty states. While each state has its own structure, rules, and governance, all are modeled to one degree or another after the SourceAmerica federal program.
The Ability Indiana Program involves purchasing preferences for state and local contracts through Ability Indiana that is contingent on ensuring the products and services provided by Hoosiers with disabilities are offered at competitive prices. The purchasing preference can exempt governmental entities from having to obtain formal quotes and administering the competitive solicitation process.
Our Mission
The Ability Indiana Committee, through the Central Coordinating Agency, creates a partnership among the public and private sectors to enhance employment and training opportunities for Indiana's citizens with disabilities. This coordinated effort provides an opportunity for individuals to achieve work experience, improved economic independence and social inclusion, while the state realizes a savings through its investment in its citizenry.
How It Works
Ability Indiana is codified under IC 5-22-13. The law outlines the provisions of Ability Indiana, and obligates State Agencies to purchase goods and services in accordance to its conditions. The law also allows other Indiana governments (cities, counties, etc.) to take advantage of the program.
Ability Indiana, Inc. is the 501(c)3 non-profit organization designated as the Central Coordinating Agency (CCA) by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration to operate the Ability Indiana Program. The Ability Indiana Program is sometimes referred to as a "State Use Program." State Use Programs are established in over twenty states. While each state has its own structure, rules, and governance, all are modeled to one degree or another after the SourceAmerica federal program.
The Ability Indiana Program involves purchasing preferences for state and local contracts through Ability Indiana that is contingent on ensuring the products and services provided by Hoosiers with disabilities are offered at competitive prices. The purchasing preference can exempt governmental entities from having to obtain formal quotes and administering the competitive solicitation process.
Our Mission
The Ability Indiana Committee, through the Central Coordinating Agency, creates a partnership among the public and private sectors to enhance employment and training opportunities for Indiana's citizens with disabilities. This coordinated effort provides an opportunity for individuals to achieve work experience, improved economic independence and social inclusion, while the state realizes a savings through its investment in its citizenry.
How It Works
Ability Indiana is codified under IC 5-22-13. The law outlines the provisions of Ability Indiana, and obligates State Agencies to purchase goods and services in accordance to its conditions. The law also allows other Indiana governments (cities, counties, etc.) to take advantage of the program.
The Law and State Government
State Agencies are required to purchase products and services from a Certified Ability Indiana Program Vendor without advertising or solicitation. If a Certified Ability Indiana Organization cannot meet the specifications or provide the product or service at fair market price, the state agency may then put the solicitation out for bid. Under the Ability Indiana Program Law, local governmental entities may bypass regular procurement practices and purchase through the Ability Indiana Program without bidding.
If the State Agency issues a solicitation for a consolidated purchase containing items that are produced by a qualified Certified Ability Indiana Organization, the Agency must either require the vendor to purchase these items through the Ability Indiana Program or establish scoring standards that ensure that the products will be used.
The full Ability Indiana Program Law is available for review on the Indiana State Website.
State Agencies are required to purchase products and services from a Certified Ability Indiana Program Vendor without advertising or solicitation. If a Certified Ability Indiana Organization cannot meet the specifications or provide the product or service at fair market price, the state agency may then put the solicitation out for bid. Under the Ability Indiana Program Law, local governmental entities may bypass regular procurement practices and purchase through the Ability Indiana Program without bidding.
If the State Agency issues a solicitation for a consolidated purchase containing items that are produced by a qualified Certified Ability Indiana Organization, the Agency must either require the vendor to purchase these items through the Ability Indiana Program or establish scoring standards that ensure that the products will be used.
The full Ability Indiana Program Law is available for review on the Indiana State Website.
Program Benefits
People with disabilities benefit from the creation of quality jobs, greater independence, and the pride of productive, meaningful work. All Ability Indiana Program partners use these jobs as opportunities to provide training in the skills needed for competitive employment.
Government procurement personnel benefit by being able to bypass the normal bidding process and quickly establishing a contract directly with the qualified Certified Ability Indiana Organizations.
Indiana taxpayers benefit from reduced need for government entitlements and increases in taxes as Ability Indiana Program workers become tax paying citizens. A recent study by the State Use Programs Association determined that states receive an annual savings of over $2,300 per worker employed through Ability Indiana.
People with disabilities benefit from the creation of quality jobs, greater independence, and the pride of productive, meaningful work. All Ability Indiana Program partners use these jobs as opportunities to provide training in the skills needed for competitive employment.
Government procurement personnel benefit by being able to bypass the normal bidding process and quickly establishing a contract directly with the qualified Certified Ability Indiana Organizations.
Indiana taxpayers benefit from reduced need for government entitlements and increases in taxes as Ability Indiana Program workers become tax paying citizens. A recent study by the State Use Programs Association determined that states receive an annual savings of over $2,300 per worker employed through Ability Indiana.
