Blind Texas man fulfills skydiving dream

WHITEWRIGHT – To his long list of feats – as a motivational speaker, disc jockey, author, motorcyclist, water skier – Blake Lindsay can add a new one: skydiver.

It's a lot for anyone to accomplish, let alone someone who's blind.

Lindsay, 45, jumped from an airplane 2 ½ miles high Saturday to fulfill a childhood wish and make a point: "I want people – when they face their challenges, their fears – to dive in, because there's victory on the other side," he said.

Read the full story from the Dallas Morning News - http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/101010dnmetblindjump.2466ce8.html

About the 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. (Pictured left: SKILCRAFT logo and AbilityOne Program logo. SKILCRAFT slogan: Every Purchase Creates Jobs)

AbilityOne Base Supply Centers Mark 15 Years

140 locations across U.S. provide jobs for 45,000 employees who are blind or have disabilities

Alexandria, VA – National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is launching a nationwide celebration honoring the 15th anniversary of the AbilityOne Base Supply Center (BSC) program which provides mission support at 140 U.S. military bases and federal agencies nationwide.

“BSC stores are directly responsible for the employment of more than 300 Americans who are blind or have other severe disabilities, which is what our mission is all about,” said Kevin A. Lynch, president and CEO, NIB. “BSC sales provide jobs and career advancement for the 45,000 people working as part of the AbilityOne procurement program to provide products and services to the federal government and our military.”

These employees produce and ship products, provide services and staff the BSCs. Additionally, service-disabled veterans and military dependents have the opportunity to join the AbilityOne team, where they continue to play a valuable role in the military communities that are significant to their lives.

The first BSC was opened in October, 1995, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, by LC Industries, an NIB associated agency. Now there are 140 locations on military bases and in federal buildings in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

“On behalf of the AbilityOne Program, I congratulate National Industries for the Blind for 15 years of Base Supply Center excellence,” said Andrew D. Houghton, Chairperson of the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, the federal agency which administers the AbilityOne Program. “We are pleased to provide quality employment opportunities for people who are blind or have other significant disabilities while meeting federal customers' needs through onsite retail operations.”

Eight cornerstone 15th anniversary events will be held at Army, Navy, Marine and Air Force bases throughout the country. Other dozens of local events will be held at other BSC stores. The event sites include:
• August 18 – Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
• August 26 – Fort Knox, Kentucky
• August 31 – Luke Air Force Base, Arizona
• September 1 – Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois
• September 8 – Fort Detrick, Maryland (tentative)
• September 24 – Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina
• October 14 – Fort Bragg, North Carolina
• October 20 – Travis Air Force Base, California

“The success of the AbilityOne BSC program has allowed agencies to re-invest profits back into job training programs and create more employment opportunities for people who are blind,” said Chuck Lange, Vice President for Base Supply Centers at IB Milwaukee.

Government customers support the employment of qualified professionals who are blind or have other severe disabilities through each purchase under the AbilityOne Program.

About the 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 88 associated agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services through the AbilityOne Program.

Contact:
Ken Murphy
Director, Communications
National Industries for the Blind
kmurphy@nib.org

Peterson AFB AbilityOne Base Supply Center Appreciation Day

Envision Xpress Celebrating Eight Years of Quality Service and Mission Support

COLORADO SPRINGS — The Envision Xpress Base Supply Center (BSC) will host a Community Appreciation Day Wednesday, August 18, at 10:00 a.m. on-base at the 725 West Paine Street location. Those gathered will be celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the AbilityOne Base Supply Centers and recognizing Envision Xpress’ 8-year contribution of mission critical support for base operations and the airmen and women serving Peterson AFB.

“The Envision Xpress Base Supply Center provides an important operational and mission support service to the airmen and soldiers serving their country at Peterson Air Force Base and Ft. Carson. I’m proud to recognize the contribution to the base operations the Envision Xpress employees make daily,” said Congressman Doug Lamborn of Colorado Springs, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. “Congratulations to Envision Xpress for eight years of quality service and for creating and sustaining local jobs under the AbilityOne Program for people who are blind or severely disabled.”

Since 2002, Envision Xpress has provided a full-service and flexible on-site operation at Peterson AFB. This BSC is one of 140 stores nationwide that employs people who are blind and supports the work of nearly 45,000 Americans who provide products and services through the production of SKILCRAFT® products sold through the AbilityOne Program.

Invited and confirmed VIP attendees include base officials, Congressional and community leaders.

For press credentials and clearance, please contact Rob Vernon at 703-741-7536.

WHAT: Envision Xpress BSC Community Appreciate Day

WHO: Peterson Air Force Base officials
Staff from U.S. Senator Mark Udall (D-CO)
Staff from U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO)
Col. John F. Hurd (USAF Retired), military advisor to U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn (D-CO-05)
NIB President and CEO Kevin Lynch
Envision Xpress BSC Store Manager Jerry Fordham
Colorado Springs City Councilman William “Bernie” Herpin
Mark Lucas, Executive Director, US Association of Blind Athletes

WHEN: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 – 10:00 AM
*** NOTE: Media wishing to attend the event should arrive no later than 9:15 AM ***

WHERE: 725 West Paine Street
Building 666
Peterson AFB, CO

###
Contact: Rob Vernon
Phone: 703-741-7536
Email: rvernon@golinharris.com

Tim Sanders Keynote Speaker at Opportunity Forum June 14, 2010

Tim Sanders believes that social responsibility and sustainability are hotbeds for business innovation. Companies that focus on these areas will attract new customers as well as boost the morale of employees and partners. Along the way, they’ll save money too!

Tim has deep experience in cutting-edge businesses and marketing. He’s weathered the quality movement as well as the dotcom crash and emerged with precious insight. He was the Chief Solutions Officer at Yahoo! and later its Leadership Coach. Prior to his senior positions at Yahoo!, Tim created and led the Yahoo! ValueLab, an in-house “think tank” that delivered futuristic insight on technology and human behavior.

View/listen to one of Tim's speeches.

Tim Sanders: Mojo Rising Keynote from Tim Sanders on Vimeo.

2010 NIB/NAEPB Opportunity Forum
June 13-15, 2010
Westin Kierland
Scottsdale, Arizona

Join us at the 2010 NIB/NAEPB Opportunity Forum in Arizona! Focused on the theme, “A New Decade: Get Ready to Engage,” the event will provide excellent networking opportunities among NIB associated agencies, customers, suppliers and contractors with the goal of increasing business that creates more jobs for people who are blind.

The forum will include a spacious indoor supplier exhibit area, informative and motivational speakers including: Susan Brita, Deputy Administrator, U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and Rear Admiral Mark F. Heinrich, Supply Corps, United States Navy Commander, Fleet and Industrial Supply Centers, and practical skill-development sessions from Tom Cross, University of Virginia Darden School of Business faculty.

Click on the following links for more information:
View the draft agenda
Register for the Opportunity Forum
Make hotel reservations

Note: NIB’s conference rate expires May 21 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time -- so make your reservation now!

National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is a Central Nonprofit Agency (CNA)authorized under the Javits Wagner O’Day Act (JWOD) – now called AbilityOne by The Committee For Purchase from People Who are Blind or Severely Disabled. NISH is another CNA that operates under the AbilityOne Program. SKILCRAFT products are produced and sold through the AbilityOne Program by people who are blind or severely disabled.

U.S. Census Using Bags Made by Industries for the Blind Milwaukee

Read the entire story online: American Chronicle – 05/02/2010
By Bill Glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

On Saturday, May 2, some 635,000 census takers in Wisconsin and across the nation will begin the task of going door to door to contact around 48 million households that did not return 2010 census forms.

"The bag serves multiple purposes," said Chuck Lange, president of the Industries for the Blind [Milwaukee]. "The census takers keep their papers, pens and pencils in there. And the bag identifies the census takers."

The organization also produced the binders that census takers will use. Those binders were manufactured in West Allis and in Kalamazoo, Mich.

Contact: U.S. Census Bureau

Industries for the Blind in Milwaukee and Kalamazoo, Michigan are members of the National Industries for the Blind. They produce SKILCRAFT and other products sold to the U.S. Federal Government and Department of Defense through the AbilityOne Program.

SKILCRAFT U.S. Government Pens Features in Washington Post Story

The 41-year-old National Industries for the Blind SKILCRAFT U.S. Government Pen is being called an “American icon” in a feature story that ran on the front page of the Washington Post on April 18, 2010. Washington Post reporter Ylan Mui became interested in the “ubiquitous” pen after finding dozens of them around her house. An excerpt from her story, which has also been syndicated nationally, is below:

Excerpt: For more than 40 years, standard black pens have cluttered the desks of thousands of federal employees, hung on a chain at post offices across the country and slipped into the pockets of countless military personnel. Yet few have realized that this government-issue pen has a history to rival that of any monument.

Blind workers assemble the pens in factories in Wisconsin and North Carolina under the brand name SKILCRAFT as part of a 72-year-old legislative mandate. The original 16-page specifications for the pen are still in force: It must be able to write continuously for a mile and in temperatures up to 160 degrees and down to 40 degrees below zero.

It has been used in war zones and gas stations, and was designed to fit undetected into U.S. military uniforms. According to company lore, the pen can stand in for a two-inch fuse and comes in handy during emergency tracheotomies.

"It's the Coca-Cola of ink pens," said Richard Oliver, operations manager for Industries of the Blind in North Carolina. "Everybody recognizes this pen. It's amazing."

Read the full story, “Low-Tech SKILCRAFT Pens Endure in a High-Tech World,” in the Washington Post online. Don’t forget to read the comments by readers from around the country! Registration may be required (it’s free). Read the related story in the Herald-Tribune.com. SKILCRAFT products and services are sold to the federal government and U.S. military through the AbilityOne Program.

For more information, contact Ken Murphy at 703-310-0500 kmurphy@nib.org

SKILCRAFT US GOVERMENT PENS - Featured in Washington Post Story

It's taken more than 40 years on the market to become an "American Icon," that's what the Washington Post is calling the SKILCRAFT US GOVERNMENT PENS that have been produced through the AbilityOne Program since 1969.

Read Ylan Mui's, Washington Post reporter, story online: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/17/AR2010041701297.html

Note: registration to the Washington Post web site is required and free.

The online article features quotes from Kevin Lynch, President and CEO, National Industries for the Blind; Chuck Lange, CEO West Allis; pictures from West Allis Industries for the Blind in Milwaukee. The pens are also made at Industries for the Blind Greensboro, NC.

Business Management Training Participants Graduate

NIB’s Business Management Training (BMT), facilitated by University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, completed the fifth, and last, of their one-week training sessions. BMT targets qualified, high-potential employees of NIB and NIB associated agencies who are blind, motivated to succeed in a business setting and have demonstrated leadership potential.

NIB is hosting a graduation dinner and reception for the BMT Class of 2010. The group will also be recognized at the Opportunity Forum June 13-15 in Scottsdale, AZ.

The NIB team is pleased to support the academic achievement of these future managers and leaders.

Members of the BMT Class of 2010 are:

· Andy R. Bacon, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Seattle, WA

· Pat Bishop, South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind, Honolulu, HI

· Eriq Cunningham, Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind, Winston-Salem, NC

· Kevin Daniel, Arkansas Lighthouse for the Blind, Little Rock, AR

· Chris Flynt, Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind, Winston-Salem, NC

· Gene Hubbard, Wiscraft Inc., Milwaukee, WI

· Edita Jablonskyte, National Industries for the Blind, Alexandria, VA

· Tanya Jones, ABVI-Goodwill, Rochester, NY

· Chris Ledding, Wiscraft Inc., Milwaukee, WI

· Glenn McCully, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Seattle, WA

· James Michaels, Bosma Enterprises, Indianapolis, IN

· Stephen Mitchell, Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired, Cincinnati, OH

· John Moore, Horizon Industries, Tyler, TX

· Kathy Morehead, Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind, Winston-Salem, NC

· Jamie Musson, Envision Inc., Wichita, KS

· Brian Petraits, Bosma Enterprises, Indianapolis, IN

· Mark Plutschak, Outlook Nebraska Inc., Omaha, NE

· Ted Rios, New York City Industries for the Blind, Brooklyn, NY

· Ramon Rodriguez, National Industries for the Blind, Alexandria, VA

· Emeric Rokay, Wiscraft Inc., Milwaukee, WI

· Joyce Smith, Alphapointe Association, Kansas City, MO

· Will Vaughn, National Industries for the Blind, Alexandria, VA

· Charles E. Wallace, The Lighthouse for the Blind, St. Louis, MO


For more information, contact Kristen Maines at 703.310.0349 or kmaines@nib.org.

Paul Begala Speaks at NIB/NAEPB Public Policy Forum

Political strategist and CNN contributor Paul Begala entertained the Public Policy Forum dinner crowd Monday, March 8 with humorous stories about partisan politics in Washington, D.C.

Begala started with the code of conduct for today's politics: always attack, never defend.

The dedicated Democrat acknowledged that the November 2010 mid-term elections will see losses for Democrats in both the Senate and the House based on both historical trends and the plunge in popularity of President Barack Obama.

Begala reminded the crowd that during the Clinton Administration, first-term losses to the Democratic Party in the House and Senate were more than double the historical average. Yet, two years later Clinton was re-elected.

His pragmatic outlook is that bipartisanship is rampant because it works in today's political environment. Begala also said America's bipartisanship still produces a better government and political system than any other country in the world.

"Only in America" could a man whose grandfather was a Kenyan goat herder become president. He added that America is also the only country in the world that will give people a chance to improve their lives, which includes people who are blind.

NIB/NAEPB Update from the Public Policy Forum

The 2010 NIB/NAEPB Public Policy Forum agenda for Tuesday, March 9 features top political strategists who will provide insight into how to move your message, engage various constituent groups and build partnerships. RSA Commissioner Lynnae Ruttledge from the Department of Education is the featured luncheon speaker. Click here for the full agenda; speaker bios and more details.
The Public Policy Forum kicked-off with a pre-conference lesson on how to Amplify Your Message on Capitol Hill.

Paul Begala, former advisor to President Clinton and a CNN political commentator, delivered a politically insightful and humorous after-dinner speech to help prepare the Public Policy Forum attendees for the realities of politics in Washington.

We're looking forward to a successful event where we will Make a Difference!

Binghamton Lions Club Supports Scholarships for People Who are Visually Impaired

“Binghamton Lions Club President Douglas Shaver presents A.V.R.E. CEO Robert Hanye with $500 check to support Charles V. Costello Memorial Scholarship”


Binghamton, NY, 27 January 2010 - The Binghamton Lions Club (We Serve) and the Association for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment, Inc (A.V.R.E.) jointly support scholarships for people who are visually impaired. The Lions recently made an additional donation of $500 to the scholarship fund at A.V.R.E. At least one Charles V. Costello memorial scholarship is given each year to a person who is visually impaired who attends an accredited post high school academic or technical institution. Since its inception, 11 scholarships have been awarded to legally blind individuals in programs ranging from business certifications through post graduate study.

The Scholarships are awarded in honor and memory of Mr. Charles Costello, a well known community leader, long time Lion and dedicated A.V.R.E. Board member who experienced sustained vision loss later in life. Applicants must have a severe vision impairment and either reside or attend school in the Twin Tiers service area of A.V.R.E.

For more information, contact Jenn Cubic at (607)724-2428.

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

NewView Oklahoma

Oklahoma City Lighthouse for the Blind is now: NewView Oklahoma. All of the email contacts for that agency as of today should now be @newviewoklahoma.org. You can find them on Twitter at NewViewOK.

Nominations for 2010 Employee of the Year Awards: Deadline Extended to January 4

Kathy Gallagher, Senior Human Resources Employment Specialist, NIB

Attention NIB Associated Agency Directors: The deadline to nominate agency employees for NIB’s two major employee recognition awards, the Peter J. Salmon Direct Labor Employee of the Year Award and the Milton J. Samuelson Career Achievement Award, has been extended to Monday, January 4, 2010.

Each agency may nominate one employee for each of the two awards. The award winners will be selected by an NIB and NAEPB Selection Committee. All nominees will be recognized at the 2010 NIB Annual Training Conference in October 2010 and the two award winners will receive their awards at the conference.

To read the detailed criteria for each of these prestigious awards, please click on the links below. For each nominee, you must submit a Nomination Form, a one-page narrative, an Eye Medical Information Form completed and signed by a licensed medical examiner, and a Release Form signed by each nominee. The Release Form is a waiver of restrictions on the materials your nominee provides so that NIB can promote and publicize the awards. Click on the links below to access the forms. The forms are also posted on the NIB Associated Agency Bulletin Board (password protected) under “Award Nomination Forms.”

For details about the Peter J. Salmon Direct Labor Employee of the Year Award and application materials contact: Kathy Gallagher, Senior Human Resources Employment Specialist, NIB

Diversity Executive Magazine: Americans Say Employ Those With Disabilities

by: Kellye Whitney, 11-16-2009 (used with permission)

A new survey released by National Industries for the Blind (NIB) reports that more than 9 out of every 10 Americans believe the government should support programs creating employment opportunities for people who are blind or have other significant disabilities.

Yet figures also show that more than 60 percent of people who are blind or have other significant disabilities are not employed.

Kevin Lynch, president and CEO of National Industries for the Blind, said he isn’t surprised there is an open attitude regarding people with disabilities or people who are blind. But he said diversity executives and other leaders with the power to influence hiring decisions must be willing to make the initial, relatively minimal, investment necessary to accommodate those who are blind or have visual impairments or other disabilities.

“This is an investment that has a great return,” he explained. “[NIB has] a dedicated workforce of individuals that on a daily basis are out to prove that they are capable and able to do what anyone can do. Certainly technology these days has leveled the playing field particularly for individuals who are blind, and they don’t want anyone to be able to utilize the fact that they may have a visual impairment or be blind as an excuse for their not being able to perform.”

Read the entire story in Diversity Executive Magazine online at http://www.diversity-executive.com/article.php?article=776

Find out about NIB's "Business Leaders Program" at offers business training at four levels for people who are blind at www.nib.org.

Federal Workers Play Strong Role to Help Increase Job Opportunities

Survey Shows Wide Acceptance for Capabilities of People Blind, Severely Disabled, Despite 60 Percent Unemployed

ARLINGTON, VA (October 22, 2009) — As part of October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the AbilityOne Program’s central nonprofit agencies are releasing survey results that demonstrate Americans have an overwhelming acceptance of the work capabilities of people who are blind or have other significant disabilities. The survey findings also reveal that more than 9 out of every 10 Americans believe the government should support employment opportunities for people who are blind or have other significant disabilities through programs like the federal AbilityOne Program.

This strong support of people who are blind or have other significant disabilities is an important part of the efforts to reduce the unemployment rate of people with disabilities, which hovers above 60 percent.

The national survey, conducted by Greenfield Online®, polled 1,000 Americans, 18 to 55+ years of age, regarding their attitudes and views on the capabilities of people who are blind or have other significant disabilities to create quality products and services. Results show:

• Broad acceptances among Americans that people who are blind or have other significant disabilities are capable of producing quality products and services. A majority of people surveyed (78%) said they were comfortable with the ability of people who are blind or have other significant disabilities to make quality products and services for the government and armed forces. Additionally, 8 out of 10 people surveyed (80%) said they were comfortable with the government and armed forces purchasing products and/or services made by people who are blind or have other significant disabilities.

• Overwhelming belief that the government should support employment opportunities for people who are blind or have other significant disabilities. Almost all of the survey respondents (92%) say it is important for the government and armed forces to support the AbilityOne Program.

“The AbilityOne Program is the largest source of employment for people who are blind or have other significant disabilities” said Robert Chamberlin, President and CEO of NISH – Creating Employment Opportunities for People With Significant Disabilities.

Products for purchase from AbilityOne include: military uniforms, TSA gloves, airplane parts, office and computer supplies as well as environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies. Services include call center management, contract administration, fleet management, laundry services, as well as warehouse, shipping.

"Federal employees should feel incredibly empowered that they are helping to reduce unemployment for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities by purchasing AbilityOne products and services. With every purchase of AbilityOne products and services, federal procurement officers literally create and sustain more jobs for this underutilized, but highly qualified workforce," Kevin Lynch, President and CEO, National Industries for the Blind said.

The AbilityOne Program is supported by the National Industries for the Blind and NISH, both organizations work with more than 600 nonprofit agencies to provide employment for people who are blind or have other significant disabilities. These agencies sell products on through the federal procurement process to 40 government agencies, the U.S. military; and, to military personnel through 133 base supply centers. In Fiscal Year 2008 alone, $2.3 billion of products and services purchased by the Federal Government were made by people who were blind or have other significant disabilities by way of the AbilityOne Program.

In an effort to educate the American public about issues related to disability and employment, Congress designated each October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).

About the AbilityOne Program
Providing employment opportunities to more than 40,000 people, the AbilityOne Program is the largest single source of employment for people who are blind or have other significant disabilities in the United States. More than 600 participating nonprofit organizations employ these individuals and provide quality goods and services to the federal government at a fair market price. The AbilityOne Program is administered by the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, an independent federal agency, with assistance from National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and NISH-Creating Employment Opportunities for People with Severe Disabilities. For more information, please visit www.abilityone.org.

About NIB
In the United States, seven out of 10 people who are blind are not employed. 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 its associated agencies serve as the largest program responsible for the employment of people who are blind through the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act. For more information regarding how the NIB and NIB-associated agencies continue to provide opportunities to blind Americans, please visit: www.NIB.org.

About NISH
Established in 1974, NISH (http://www.nish.org) is one of two national, nonprofit agencies designated by the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled to support nonprofit agencies (NPAs) participating in the AbilityOne Program. NISH provides employment opportunities for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities by procuring Federal contracts for goods and services. Headquartered in Vienna, Va., NISH supports a network of more than 2,100 NPAs as well as Federal customers by providing legislative and regulatory assistance, communications and public relations materials, information technology

Visually Impaired Workers Assemble Products Shipped Nationwide

By BRIAN PEARSON
Business Editor (story excerpt and photos used with permission)
Read the entire story at Tylerpaper.com There's a nice video with the story that you'll want to see!

When Lee Tillson and his wife decided to move from Dallas to Tyler to be closer to family, he thought his experience as a produce warehouse manager made him a prime choice for an open position here.

The prospective employers, however, immediately disqualified him when they learned he was legally blind.

"They didn't think I could do the job," Tillson said.

One day while Tillson was riding a bus, the driver decided to introduce him to Horizon Industries, mistakenly believing it served as a transportation option for the blind.

Tillson quickly landed a technician job at Horizon, the industrial end of East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind.

Today, he serves as plant manager for the non profit Horizon, where the staffers, most of them blind or visually impaired, create products as part of a $24 million-a-year business.

Inside the cavernous plant at 500 N. Bois D'Arc Ave., 72 blind and visually impaired employees package napkins for the U.S. Navy, put together three-ply tissue paper and box tens of thousands of miles of parachute cord headed for Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. Blind workers represent more than 80 percent of the 89-member staff.

"We're the best-kept secret in town, but we're on our way to changing that," said David Huffman, who has been president and CEO for almost a year.

Read the entire story at Tylerpaper.com

Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month this October by sharing your story with NIB-AbilityOne's blog. Learn more about NIB and AbilityOne.


OVERCOMING AN OBSTACLE: Albert Logan stacks boxes of paper towels on a pallet at Horizon Lighthouse for the Blind. Logan is one of more than 80 blind or visually impaired employees.

Curlie Bailey takes spools of parachute cord off a winding machine.

A special thank you to Brian Pearson, Business Editor, Tyler Morning Telegraph for permission to use these photos, captions and story excerpt.

Lions VBI Employee Shares Her Positive Approach to Life

Gwendolyn McAllister, Lions Volunteer Blind Industries, Morristown, TN, is featured in an October 15, 2009 WINK magazine article. McAllister describes her "positive" attitude on life and how "setting and meeting daily goals" keeps her constantly moving forward in life.

McAllister has been employed at Volunteer Blind Industries for 20 years.

“I just enjoy life. It’s too short to not enjoy it,” she said in the article.

Her basic outlook is simple and never wavers. “I’ve got a lot to be thankful for,” she said.

Read her story online.

NIB TEAM COMPLETES ARMY 10 MILER

Good Afternoon – let me first state that I was personally humbled to be in the company of all who showed up and ran the 25th anniversary of the Army Ten Miler on Sunday, October 4 – it was an awesome day and one that hopefully none of us will ever forget. When looking back on the ATM each of us has to take pause and realize what went into that day – the training, the dedication and the determination to make it all happen.

It is not easy to go out and run 10 miles however it is even more difficult to train for all those months leading up to it – what this shows is a desire to win on each individuals part – running is not a team sport – it is inherently an individual effort that moves you to the starting line and carries you across the finish line - HOWEVER the group dynamic that was established with our team of runners and supporters ensured that we all crossed the finish line as a member of NIB.

As a runner I have entered many races and logged many miles and never was I more awe-inspired during a race event as I was watching and Kathy Gallagher (who is blind) and Judy Zabo cross the finish line. Dedication and determination are truly two words that capture the essence of what they accomplished! It was an honor to stand with them on the bridge before the start of the race when the cannon went off and an even bigger privilege to see them at the end! As many of you have come to realize and what others never will is that it takes commitment to get out of bed at 0400 or 0500 to make it to NIB each Friday for “team training” and why it is so important to quite simply….run! In the end you have heard me say that “this is what separates the Rock Stars from the Groupies” – and so now you know!

We all have our special memories of both the race and the training leading up to it. Suffice to say we all shared some great laughs, some pain and several “why the heck am I doing this” moments along the way! Running with Matt Klovas and Banton Brooks at the start of the race and seeing these individuals on Independence Ave making there way to the finish line as Team NIB brought the months of training into perspective for me. Fantastic run gentlemen! Now, all that said I need to recognize some very special folks who made this event possible. Special thanks go out to the following NIB persons: To the NIB Leadership: Thank you for allowing us this opportunity to participate in this great event. It was a fantastic day that will remembered by all who were there for years to come.

To Jennifer King: For coming up with the whole running team concept and for taking the initiative and then being a personal pain in my backside to make sure people stayed motivated, shirts were done, restaurant selected and personnel boarded the METRO on time….what would I do without you? Seriously though… Jennifer came up with the idea to form the two teams and put it all together. Add to that the countless hours of coordination both inside NIB as well as external and you quickly realize it was more for Jennifer then just lacing up the running shoes on Sunday morning! Again, thanks does not do what she did justice…however I will say it…Thank You!

Heather McKenzie: Even though I did not attend I heard it was a great dinner and even better company the night before the big race – thank you for putting that together and more importantly bringing everyone together for a great evening. To the Runners: We will always remember the Friday morning runs at 0600 and think back to when it first began (in June); quite a bit of humor as we went from running .5 miles up to completing the actual 10 miler. Know that what you did is a significant accomplishment and one that you should always take pride in – that said DON’T rest on your laurels. We have all made significant increases in our physical fitness levels so keep it up! I remember Michelle Grant last year in a lot of pain. I saw here 10 minutes after she finished running this year and she was in the best of spirits!.

To Robert Pope and Catherine Schultz: You took a sketch of a t-shirt (an idea we had) and turned it into a great looking piece of running gear in record time - when we ran we represented NIB and AbilityOne and I can’t tell you how many people along the route were yelling “go NIB” especially along Independence Ave in DC and in the “Hooah Area” – thank you both for taking this effort on and audaciously bringing it to fruition!

So now what? Well for starters I have to drop off “SOCKO the Motivation Mascot” for safe keeping till the next ATM. He will be rotated between the NIB Cheerleading Section (IT Shop: Reggie Winston/Steve Herriott) and also with DDC (Debutante of DC) Stephanie Hood as they will now start preparations for the 2010 ATM with such tasks as “alarm clock setting, actual running and training activities” I cant wait to see them on the course next year! For the rest of Team NIB…don’t stop running! So there you have it…the final Runner Alert for 2009! In closing I think the quote of the year goes to Kara Penny who after the race walked over and said…”I want to die peacefully…not like this!” Congratulations to all cheerleaders, runners and casual observers! Without you it would not have happened!

Regards Brian Hayes

Department of Defense to Honor Outstanding Contributions by Employees with Disabilities

The Secretary of Defense will recognize the superior contributions by Department of Defense (DoD) employees who are blind or have other disabilities. The Department will also honor DoD components with outstanding affirmative employment programs for people with disabilities. These recognitions are part of the DoD recognition of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

"I urge each of you to renew your commitment to the employment and advancement of Americans with disabilities," Gail McGinn, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Plans), who is performing the duties of the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) said in a September 30, 2009 statement.

Winners will be recognized on December 8, 2009 as a pre-conference event for the Perspectives on Employment of People with Disabilities Conference which begins December 9, 2009.

The Department of Defense is the largest customer of products and services produced by NIB and NISH and sold through AbilityOne and under the SKILCRAFT brand name.