RFID Technology Aids People Who Are Blind in the Workplace on Department of Defense Contracts

Warrenton, Va. September 7, 2010 – A new technological system that allows people who are blind to work more accurately and efficiently was recently installed at four US locations, all factories that manufacture garments for the United States Department of Defense.

The company that developed and implemented this system is SimplyRFiD, a Warrenton, Va.-based software company.

Since 2005 a federal mandate has required that Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tags be affixed to any clothing or other supplies sold to the DoD. The RFID tags are used to help the DoD better manage their inventory. The tags ensure that all shipments have come from verified providers, and that all packages contain the items they are meant to contain.

Many of the facilities that manufacture goods for the DoD are staffed by workers who are blind. The National Industries for the Blind (NIB), a non-profit organization that helps improve employment opportunities for people who are blind, became interested in ways that RFID technology could be used not only to fulfill government mandates, but to aid factory workers with certain tasks. NIB works with the DoD through the AbilityOne Program.

The NIB wondered whether a system could be created that would allow employees who are blind to accurately pack boxes with the correct type and quantity of an item.

Engineers at SimplyRFiD developed such a system. By linking RFID tags with audio equipment and allowing workers to communicate via a touch-screen, it is now simple for employees who are blind to know how many items are in a box they are packing, whether the items are the correct items, and which items to remove if a box is packed incorrectly.

“It’s almost a foolproof system,” said Mike Sebach the operations manager at Blind Industries and Services of Maryland, located in Salisbury, which was the pilot location for this technology. “If [SimplyRFiD] hadn’t done what [they] did we would have had to give these jobs to sighted employees.”

Sebach said his workers are now able to pack boxes more accurately than sighted workers would. “The system will actually not allow us to over pack or under pack a carton.”

So far, in addition to the Maryland location, this system has been installed in facilities in Texas, New York, and North Carolina. Plans are underway for SimplyRFiD to implement the program at garment factories across the nation that employ workers who are blind.

“This technology could work in any warehouse, absolutely,” Sebach said.


Contact: Emily Darrell, Marketing Specialist
SimplyRFiD
6599 Commerce Ct., Suite 100, Warrenton, VA 20187
Tel. (703) 343-1689
Email: emily.darrell@simplyrfid.com

NIB Volunteers at Dreams for Kids Extreme Recess Baseball Clinic w/Washington Nationals Players, Coaches

The Washington Nationals Major League Baseball team and Dreams for Kids partnered to host an Extreme Recess Baseball Clinic for children with physical and developmental disabilities on August 27. Dreams for Kids hosted approximately 75 children, who participated in multiple activities on the Nationals field with the players and also enjoyed beep baseball provided by NIB.

Several NIB employees participated in the event, including Kevin A. Lynch, president and CEO, and Angela Hartley, executive vice president.

Kareem Dale, associate director, White House Office of Public Engagement, and special assistant to the President for disability policy, opened the event with a few words and a traditional first pitch. Alexa Posny, assistant secretary for special education and rehabilitative services, U.S. Department of Education, was also in attendance.

“In a place like Washington, D.C., where there is more demand for adaptive programs, one of the first things we can do to spark change, is make the community aware,” said Andrew Horn, executive director, Dreams for Kids DC. “After they have seen how powerful these programs can be in kids’ lives, they are much more likely to get involved and have an impact.”

Click here to view photos from this event on NIB's AbilityOne Facebook page. For more information, contact Kelly Jamieson at 703-310-0500 or kjamieson@nib.org.

NIB/NAEPB Pre-Conference Communications Seminar: "AbilityOne: Telling our Story"

All NIB associated agency employees, especially agency communications team members, are invited to attend.

The Pre-Conference Communications Seminar is scheduled for:

• 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 5;
  
• Dinner and speaker from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 5;
  
• Crisis Communications, Best Practices, Social Media Panels - 8:00 a.m. to noon Wednesday, October 6, before the Annual Training Conference begins.

Hotel Reservations
Annual Training Conference & Communications Seminar Registration
More information: conferences@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.

Blind Employees Serve America’s Military at Luke AFB Base Supply Center

Luke AFB Honor Guard Prepares to Open Celebration Anniversary of the Focusworks AbilityOne BSC Program. Foreground: Col. McCutchen, Vice Commander 944th with Bernie Richardson, Focusworks Store manager.

Glendale, AZ – For the past 13 years, five blind and five sighted employees at Focusworks Base Supply Center (BSC) on Luke Air Force Base have been providing on-base mission critical support and outfitting servicemen and women for deployment throughout the world. Today, these employees, and the Arizona Industries for the Blind (AIB), reached out to thank the community at Luke AFB for their support and to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the AbilityOne Base Supply Center program.

Focusworks, operated by the Arizona Industries for the Blind, also locally supports the Army National Guard, the 161st Air Refueling Wing of the Arizona National Guard, the U.S. Air Force ROTC, as the Veteran’s Administration, the United States Marshals Service and the Department of Homeland Security.

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.

U.S. Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) praised the work of the AbilityOne Program and the Focusworks BSC in a letter of recognition presented during a program at Luke AFB.

“It is a great pleasure to offer my congratulations and thanks for your long standing service at Luke Air Force Base and to those who have helped make the AbilityOne Base Supply Center Program the success it is today.”

“Today’s celebration demonstrates how the America dream is available to people who are blind through business opportunities, followed by hard work, innovation and quality service,” said Kevin A. Lynch, president and CEO, National Industries for the Blind (pictured left).

The 100 attendees included service men and women from Luke AFB; Arizona Department of Economic Security Director Neal Young, Glendale Vice Mayor Steven Frate, Goodyear Vice Mayor Georgia Lord, Avondale Vice Mayor Jim McDonald and James Omvig, Vice Chair, Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled.

Goodyear, AZ Vice Mayor Georgia Lord with her husband Col. Lord (Ret) talks with Dan Martinez and April Lange both with Arizona Industries for the Blind during a tour of the Focusworks BSC Store.

Colonel Robert K. McCutchen, Jr., Vice Commander of the 944th Fighter Wing unit at Luke AFB, said: “Everybody wants to do the same thing – be productive, raise their family and contribute to our community. The staff [at Focusworks] does that every day and you are serving your country well.”

Left - Carlos Paraskeva, Arizona Industries for the Blind; James Omvig, Vice Chair, Committee for Purchase - center; Jerry Eastham, Focusworks employee - 15th Anniversary Celebration of AbilityOne Base Supply Center Program, Luke AFB.

“I know our employees at Focusworks – who live in Phoenix, Glendale, Avondale and Goodyear – sincerely appreciate Luke Air Force Base’s mission and their support of the AbilityOne Base Supply Center program,” said Dick Monaco, General Manager, AIB.

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.

Focusworks AbilityOne Base Supply Store in Thunderbolt, Luke AFB Paper

Focusworks (pictured left), the AbilityOne Base Supply Center operated by Arizona Industries for the Blind at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, AZ is featured in a story in the August 27 edition of "Thunderbolt" the base newspaper http://www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb/pdf/

The story previews the August 31 Celebration Focusworks is hosting to commemorate the 15th Anniversary of the AbilityOne BSC program. Dignitaries attending the celebration include:

• Kevin Lynch, President & CEO, National Industries for the Blind
  
• James Omvig, Vice Chair, Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled
  
• Neal Young, Director for the Arizona Department of Economic Security
  
• Sandra S. Ledy, Military Affairs Specialist from U.S. Senator Jon Kyl’s Office
  
• Steven Frate, Vice Mayor of Glendale
  
• Georgia Lord, Vice Mayor of Goodyear(invited)
  
• Jim McDonald, Vice Mayor of Avondale
  
• Luke AFB Base Command Representative
  
• Carlos Paraskevas, Employee of Arizona Industries for the Blind
  

Read the story from this Google search:
Focusworks celebrates program's service
Aug 27, 2010 ... Focusworks BSC is operated by Arizona Industries for the Blind, a nonprofit agency, which is part of the Arizona Department of Economic ...
www.luke.af.mil/news/story_print.asp?id=123219551
For more information: April Lange, Focusworks/Arizona Industries for the Blind

NIB Thanks Blinded Veterans For their Service at BVA 65th Anniversary Conference

Ned Rupp staffed a table in the exhibit hall where he talked to attendees (pictured in the photo left) about the services that NIB offers to wounded warriors.

NIB is a proud sponsor and participant at the Blinded Veterans Association 65th National Convention, August 24–28, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia.

At an Operation Peer Support session on Tuesday, August 24, Brian Hurley and Jeff Mittman shared their personal stories of how they became blind, but more importantly how their lives were altered and their careers changed, and the steps they took to adapt to their blindness. Brian, who is legally blind due to retinitis pigmentosa, expounded on the advances in assistive technologies for the blind and visually impaired. Like many in the audience, Jeff was wounded by a roadside bomb in Iraq. In that attack, his left eye was destroyed; his right arm was badly damaged; and he lost his nose, his lips, and most of his teeth. He thanked the blinded veterans for their heroism and courage, and encouraged them to focus on what they could do and not on what they couldn’t do.

Ned Rupp staffed a table in the exhibit hall where he talked to attendees about the services that NIB offers to wounded warriors, and told them about the SKILCRAFT® products and services offered through the AbilityOne Program. The convention bags given to all registered attendees were courtesy of NIB and Lighthouse Graphics, an operational division of East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind.

On Monday evening, NIB hosted a dinner for BVA’s Operation Peer Support program, which connects combat-blinded veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam with newly blinded veterans who have been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. Most of the newly blinded are young soldiers and Marines victimized by encounters with improvised explosive devices or sniper fire. NIB staff members attending the reception and dinner were Kevin Lynch, president and CEO; Angela Hartley, executive vice president; Thomas Panek, vice president, relationship management; Jessica Carter, director, public policy; Jennifer King, director, project development; Brian Hurley, external affairs program director; Jeffrey Mittman, national account manager; and Ned Rupp, veteran affairs specialist – wounded warriors.

For more information, contact Brian Hurley at 703-310-0327 or bhurley@nib.org.