Opportunity, the award-winning magazine published by National Industries for the Blind (NIB), covers news and developments at NIB and its associated nonprofit agencies. The publication also tells the stories of people who are blind – their careers and capabilities, and the difference meaningful employment has made in their lives.
One Opportunity article that brings all of those threads together is “An American Classic.” The spring 2018 cover story tells the story of the SKILCRAFT® U.S. Government Pen.
Beginning with a challenge by the GSA commissioner to NIB in 1967, the article recounts the birth of not only the legendary writing instrument, but a new line of business that spawned hundreds of jobs for people who are blind.
SKILCRAFT fans will find more to love in the fall 2019 cover story, “Evolution of a Mission-Driven Brand.” The article traces the history of the SKILCRAFT brand from its inception in 1952 as a way to help NIB products compete with national brands in military commissaries, to its current identity that builds on the brand’s strengths and reputation across all product and service offerings.
Readers interested in NIB’s career training programs can learn more through a number of articles, including an in-depth look at the rigorous 15-month Business Management Training program, which has been described by some observers as a “mini MBA” program. An article in the spring 2018 issue tells the stories of three graduates of the 16-month Fellowship for Leadership Development, which provides rotations in three professional positions in different cities, preparing people who are blind to not only build profession careers, but follow the best career opportunities for them.
These and many more engaging stories about NIB, its associated agencies, and the important work being done by people who are blind, can be found in the Opportunity archive on the NIB website. To receive electronic versions of upcoming issues, join our distribution list by providing your email address in the space provided on the archive page.