Black and White photo of factory workers making SKILCRAFT products
NIB 85th Anniversary logo with the words Empowering Employment running across the bottom

For 85 years, NIB has remained focused on its enduring mission: creating employment opportunities for people who are blind. 

When NIB was incorporated in 1938, the world had a very limited idea of what people who were blind could do. Our founders could not have imagined the technological advances that would allow people who are blind to enjoy careers in nearly every sector of the economy. In its first year, NIB and its 36 associated agencies were able to employ 150 people who were blind. In 2022, NIB and its nearly 100 associated agencies employed more than 5,000 people who are blind in locations across the country.

While our methods have evolved, our mission remains the same – NIB is empowering people who are blind to find fulfilling employment that allows for upward mobility, greater independence, and job satisfaction. 

Pledge to support National Industries for the Blind’s mission by:

Empowering Through Employment: Creating meaningful job opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Championing Inclusivity: Recognizing the talents of people who are blind or visually impaired and promoting equal access to career opportunities.

Strengthening Our Society: Embracing the talents and creativity of people of all abilities to build a stronger, more vibrant society.

Your pledge is powerful because it helps amplify voices that are often disregarded. When you stand with NIB, you support people who are blind working to build their own American Dreams.

Stand With Us

Alphapointe1960s

Empowering Our Employees

Photo of Albert Guzman at their workstation smiling

Albert Guzman
Vibrant Works

Meet Albert Guzman, machine operator at Vibrant Works. Albert was born with an eye condition that caused him to lose his peripheral vision and his ability to see color. However, his life is anything but monochromatic.

He joined Vibrant Works five years ago, and he is a versatile employee with experience working in many departments. Albert takes the initiative to learn new operations and has even mastered machines that were previously run by sighted employees.

Albert is not only a valued employee, but also a joy to be around. He has a refreshingly positive outlook on life and always tries his best to help others. His positive attitude earned him the 2019 Spirit Award at Vibrant Works.   

“I’ve met a lot of wonderful people here who helped me mature,” Albert said. “They showed me how to have good work ethic and I learned how to communicate better with people.”

Photo of Tiffany Eddins smiling

Tiffany Eddins
Alphapointe

Meet Tiffany Eddins, office products manager at Alphapointe. She’s passionate about her career. “I love what I do. Sometimes, maybe too much,” she chuckles.

This isn’t where her life was originally headed. Being a police officer is a family tradition, and Tiffany studied criminal justice. Then came the headaches and vision problems. Her peripheral vision was fine, but everything else was getting blurry. She came home from college, visited handfuls of doctors, and was eventually diagnosed with Pseudotumor Cerebri.

Tiffany came to Alphapointe for rehabilitation services, and she noticed that the agency also employed people who are blind and visually impaired. In nine years, she has gone from machine operator to supervisor, then assistant manager, and now a manager supervising 38 people. Her life may not have followed her original plan, but Tiffany’s found her place and a career she loves. “I’m not done,” she said. “My elevator only goes up.”

Photo of David Geary at their workstation smiling

David Geary
Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc

Meet David Geary, human resources/legal project manager and corporate secretary at Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. For the last 15 years, he has been instrumental in ensuring the organization operates within legal parameters.

Born with optic nerve hypoplasia, David has overcome many challenges in his life, including difficulty finding employment. Despite these challenges, he earned a law degree and worked as an attorney and assistant district attorney. During that time, he also served as a board member for the Somerset County Blind Center, which is where he learned about NIB and its mission.

David’s journey is an inspiration to many, and his work at the Lighthouse means a lot to him. “This job has given me the opportunity to help this organization grow,” he shared. He is proud to be part of an organization that positively impacts the lives of people who are blind, DeafBlind, and blind with other disabilities. He feels empowered and fulfilled, knowing that his work is making a difference.