NIB Connection

If the coronavirus pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the importance of self-sufficiency — or at least learning how we might become more self-sufficient during times of great uncertainty. This is especially true for people with disabilities who sometimes rely on others to be within six feet to assist with a particular task, routine, or […]

Founded in 1934, the Austin Lighthouse, has a long history in the city. But if you ask President and CEO Jim Meehan, the first thing he usually hears after giving visitors a tour of their facilities is: “We had no idea you were here!” “We have 450 employees, 250 of whom are blind or visually […]

The COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions on personal interactions compelled many NIB associated nonprofit agencies to develop creative ways to restructure their in-person community programs to online formats. The results have been a virtual success. Alphapointe, an NIB associated agency headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, recently launched Infopointe, an online learning platform that offers presentations […]

The COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions on personal interactions have been difficult for everyone, but they can be particularly difficult for people who are blind, who often rely on their sense of touch to interact with the world. To help ease the feeling of isolation caused by pandemic restrictions, NIB associated nonprofit agencies have developed creative ways to restructure their in-person community programs to continue delivering services that are critical to their clients’ […]

Surveying the efforts of NIB and associated agency employees during the coronavirus pandemic, new Board Chair Paul M. Healy, Ph.D., is inspired. “I am very proud that NIB and its associated agencies have been part of a team to support our nation during the pandemic,” he says. “That speaks volumes for the organization, its integrity, […]

As society strives to be more inclusive and recognize the talents of all people, employers are coming to understand the positive impact a diverse workforce can have on innovation and productivity. People who are blind are an often-overlooked segment of society that have proven to be highly talented and capable employees yet face a staggeringly […]

Employers with a diverse workforce benefit from a range of cultural backgrounds and lived experiences. The unique perspectives of their employees help strengthen the organization by introducing more robust creative and problem-solving processes, more nuanced decision-making, increased employee engagement, and higher retention rates. As more employers recognize the positive impacts of a diverse workforce, a […]

Fiscal year 2020 was a challenging one all over the world, and an extraordinary moment in NIB’s 82-year history. Not only did NIB rise to the demands of a once-in-a-century pandemic, it also made significant progress in its mission to grow employment for Americans who are blind. NIB created 378 new employment opportunities for people […]

The AbilityOne contract management support (CMS) program has grown quickly over the past decade, creating many professional career opportunities who are blind or visually impaired. NIB continues working to expand CMS to more federal agencies, explains Billy Parker, NIB program director for employment support service. “Once federal employers see a CMS team in action, they’re […]

For more than a decade, the AbilityOne Contract Management Support (CMS) program has been providing people who are blind the opportunity to build professional career paths with real potential for advancement. But perhaps the program’s most valuable achievement is giving people who are blind a sense of independence again. Many CMS employees were employed before […]