Increased Internet Accessibility Improves Job Opportunities for Blind

National Industries for the Blind Calls for Increased Internet Accessibility at Department of Justice Public Hearing

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, National Industries for the Blind (NIB) called for websites and information services to become more accessible to people who are blind, noting this will broaden employment opportunities for a community that experiences 70 percent unemployment nationwide.

(pictured: Thomas Panek, Vice President of Relationship Management at NIB testifies at DOJ Internet Accessibility Hearing Dec 16, 2010)

Thomas Panek, Vice President of Relationship Management at NIBand a person who is blind, offered expert testimony at a public hearing convened by the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., on Proposed Revisions to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

“As the largest employer of people who are blind, NIB and its associated agencies have demonstrated that with the necessary levels of accessibility and training, people who are blind are more than capable of succeeding in high-skill careers,” said Panek. “Anything that employers and business owners can do to increase access to websites and information services will not only create more jobs, but also help people who are blind to live more independent lives.”

“As technology rapidly develops, so must our solutions to improving access for people who are blind,” said Kevin A. Lynch, President and CEO of NIB. “NIB looks forward to working with the federal government and private sector businesses to identify ways to not only increase access, but to also leverage technology and the Internet to create career opportunities for people who are blind.”

(Pictured: DOJ hearing panel, left; Thomas Panek, NIB VP, testifying, right)

During his testimony, Panek noted NIB would like to act as a partner and a resource to the federal government for developing a workable framework for website access for people who are blind.

In particular, Panek detailed NIB’s support for enhancing website accessibility for people who are blind, while recognizing that regulation should only be enacted where self-regulation is insufficient.

Specific recommendations supported by NIB and offered by Panek include:

* Business owners must work with members of the blind community to identify what access areas could be improved upon, and the potential solutions that exist.
• To the extent that it is possible, and reasonable, the public and private sector should use the latest accessibility standards.
• The Department should adopt requirements that revise the ADA Title II regulation to establish accessibility requirements for making the services, programs, or activities offered by state and local governments to the public via the Internet accessible.
• The Department should adopt the technical standard of WCAG 2.0 double A standard for website accessibility for public accommodations, namely entities covered by Titles II and III of the ADA.
• The Department should maintain and provide a list of resources for technical assistance to assist public entities in complying with proposed rules.

NIB believes these recommendations will help increase website accessibility and career opportunities for people who are blind.

“Seven out of 10 persons who are blind are unemployed. Every step we take to improve accessibility is a step toward lowering that unemployment rate,” Panek concluded. “As NIB has clearly demonstrated, with the necessary technology and training resources in place, people who are blind are capable of completing the job.”

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About National Industries for the Blind
At National Industries for the Blind (NIB), it is our mission to enhance the opportunities for economic and personal independence of persons who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment. NIB and 89 associated agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services through the AbilityOne Program, established by the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act. www.nib.org

Servmart Base Supply Center Naval Station Great Lakes Celebrates 13 Years of Service to Community

[pictured left to right: Capt. John Malifitano, Commanding Officer, Great Lakes Naval Air Station; Michelle Mills, Servmart; John Baumgart, Associated Industries for the Blind]

September 1, 2010: Great Lakes, IL – Since 1997, the employees at Servmart Base Supply Center (BSC) at Naval Station Great Lakes have been providing on-base mission critical support and outfitting the Sailors and Officers at this Naval Training Center. Today, these employees, and Associated Industries of the Blind (AIB), reached out to thank the community at Great Lakes for their support and to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the AbilityOne Base Supply Center program.

U.S. Representative Mark Kirk (R-IL-10) praised the work of the AbilityOne Program and the Servmart BSC in a letter of recognition presented during a program at Great Lakes.

“Congratulations to you and the employees at AIB Servmart Base Supply Center for providing exceptional service to Naval Station Great Lakes since 1997,” Rep. Kirk wrote. “With each purchase at an AbilityOne BSC, customers support the employment of qualified professionals who are blind or have other severe disabilities. On this 15th anniversary of the AbilityOne BSC Program, I am pleased to congratulate AIB Servmart for doing great work at Naval Station Great Lakes and in our community. I wish you all the best and look forward to many more years of outstanding service."

“The employees at the Great Lakes Servmart Base Supply Center provide essential support to the men and women serving our country at Naval Station Great Lakes. I am pleased National Industries for the Blind chose to highlight the contributions of this BSC, and I congratulate the Servmart BSC at Great Lakes on its 13th Anniversary as the AbilityOne BSC program marks its 15th Anniversary,” U.S. Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) said in a statement released to National Industries for the Blind.

There are 140 AbilityOne BSC facilities located at federal and military installations throughout the United States that provide employment to 300 Americans who are blind or severely disabled. More than 40,000 blind or disabled people are employed through the sale of products and services through the AbilityOne Program.

“In today’s economy, I believe more than perhaps ever before, Americans have a deeper understanding of the important value and benefits of a good job,” said Claudine “Scottie” Knott, Chief Operating Officer, National Industries for the Blind. “Yes, Servmart supports the mission and the Sailors and Officers of Naval Station Great Lakes. But it also supports the livelihood of the men and women who, through civilian service, support our military. Servmart and NIB personnel are proud to be included in supporting America’s Armed Forces.”

Also attending today’s event were Captain John Malfitano, Base Commander, and Barry Lineback, Director of Business Operations, Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled.

“Our employees are our greatest assets and we currently employ over 200 individuals. Over 75 percent of those individuals are blind or visually impaired,” said John Baumgart, President, Associated Industries for the Blind, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “We currently operate nine BSCs located on military bases around the country, including Hawaii, and that number is growing. We are very proud to offer quality, value and convenience to our servicemen and women.”

About National Industries for the Blind
NIB’s (www.NIB.org) mission is to enhance the opportunities for economic and personal independence of persons who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment. NIB and 89 associated agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services through the AbilityOne Program, established by the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act.

Bob Buckley New VP Manufacturing San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind

Press Release 1-8-2010
The San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind (SALB) announced the appointment of Mr. Bob Buckley as the new Vice President-Manufacturing. He will be responsible for managing the 4th largest and fastest growing manufacturing operation in the San Antonio Area.

Bob joins SALB after a celebrated 30-year manufacturing career at Bausch & Lomb and Kinetic Concepts, Inc., where he led not only the production operations, but also the introduction of new products, inventory and material management and financial reporting.

Bob was the recent past Chairman of the Board of the San Antonio Manufacturers’ Association and is currently an active Board member. He is also very involved in the local community.

We are elated to be able to add a person of Bob Buckley’s quality and character to our existing Management Team. He brings 30 years of pertinent experience and an outstanding reputation based on integrity.

Contact: Nancy Lipton
Director Public Relations/Spokesperson
S A Lighthouse for the Blind
2305 Roosevelt Avenue
San Antonio, TX 78210
210 531-1533 cell: 210 771-5300
www.salighthouse.org

Betsy Thorne Appointed Vice President, Sales-BD, Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind

DALLAS (January 5, 2010) – Betsy A. Thorne has been appointed vice president, sales and business development for the Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind. Her responsibilities will focus on developing new or expanded business lines which will create greater employment opportunities for people who are blind. She will focus on not only the existing Federal, State and Military customers, but will also manage the agency relationship with the National Industries for the Blind and other key partnerships both in North Texas and nationally.

“Betsy is going to be a tremendous asset to the mission of the Dallas Lighthouse,” said Nancy Perkins, Dallas Lighthouse President. “With Betsy’s past experience at the Lighthouse and her business development and sales expertise, we intend to reach a new level of success with our 2010 manufacturing sales. Her integrity and energy will help drive our success in expanding our current manufacturing customer base and adding new ones.”

Thorne most recently served as the executive director of the Industries for the Blind in Greensboro, N.C. for two years. Prior to that, she was vice president of sales for the Dallas Lighthouse from 2001 to 2005 and has served as a business consultant to various agencies specializing in services to the visually impaired. Thorne attended the Oklahoma City University and Eastern New Mexico University.

About Dallas Lighthouse
Since 1931, the Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind has provided jobs and services to the visually impaired in North Texas. The Lighthouse, a 501(c) 3 agency, trains its clients for skilled service jobs in any office environment. It also staffs a manufacturing facility with visually impaired employees that manufacture products for both government agencies including the U.S. military and commercial customers. For more information, go to www.dallaslighthouse.org.

Dallas Lighthouse is an NIB Non-Profit Agency and participates in the AbilityOne Program.

CONTACT: Gail Whitcomb, Whitcomb Communications
214-704-4132 gailwhitcomb@sbcglobal.net