LeAnna Lynn

Outlook Nebraska has been providing employment opportunities for those in the Omaha, Nebraska region since 2000. They started out small, with just four people who were blind creating paper products, but they didn’t stay small long. Today, Outlook is the largest employer of those who are blind within not just Nebraska, but a seven state region surrounding Nebraska.

The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc . formed in 1918, began serving the Seattle area during the aftermath of World War I. The gas attacks and combat of the war left many American service members without vision once the war was over. As they returned home, the need for employment opportunities reached a critical level and spurred the creation of a Seattle organization, which was established in 1916.

National Industries for the Blind (NIB) held its annual NIB/NAEPB Training Conference and Expo November 13-16th in Washington, D.C. The event had an excellent turnout of more than 800 attendees who enjoyed several days of education and networking within the AbilityOne community. The theme of this year’s NIB Conference was Commitment to Serve, with an emphasis on the support NIB, its associated agencies, and business partners provide the U.S. military and our nation’s veterans through the AbilityOne Program.

Austin Lighthouse for the Blind has been creating employment opportunities for those who are blind or visually impaired since 1934. The nonprofit organization started out loom weaving mats and canning peaches that they then sold door-to-door within the neighborhoods of Austin, Texas.

For many, the sight of a SKILCRAFT® US Government Pen brings back memories. The trusty writing implement tucked in many a military pocket. The pen that numerous people first used to ink their enlistment papers for military service. A ubiquitous presence on the desks of those in the Federal government.
 
We know this staple of modern Americana by sight – the clean lines and utilitarian styling of this workhorse are iconic and easily recognizable – but for those who make it, the pen is instead recalled and remembered by touch and feel.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This month, facilitated by the Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, focuses on increasing awareness of the ongoing need for job opportunities for Americans with disabilities.

It may surprise you to hear this, but 7 out of 10 working-age Americans who are blind or visually impaired are not employed. Fortunately, thanks to the AbilityOne® Program, jobs are being created and maintained for individuals with limited or no vision. Non-profits across the country participate in the AbilityOne Program to make their mission of employment a reality in local communities throughout America. One of those nonprofits is Industries for the Blind based in Milwaukee, WI.

TriMega’s annual EPIC event always lives up to its tagline of Where BIG Happens. It’s one of the biggest events in the industry, bringing together vendors and dealers for networking, idea sharing, and collaboration. This year, TriMega decided to make their EPIC conference even bigger by scheduling EPIC 2017 in conjunction with this year’s ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America. EPIC ran September 10-12th and ISSA ran September 11-14th in Las Vegas, NV.

30% of blind and visually impaired individuals in America live below the poverty line. That’s a sobering statistic, but nonprofits across the country are working hard within their communities to reverse this trend. One of these nonprofits is Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind.

Beyond Vision is one of the 550 nonprofit agencies across the country that participate in the AbilityOne Program. This Milwaukee-based organization is an agent for positive change in the lives of those who are blind within their community. Beyond Vision and the AbilityOne Program are doing good things for the community of Milwaukee, Wisconsin by giving individuals a context in which to shine as the smart, talented professionals they are.