NIB Connection

NSITE, NIB’s new talent management enterprise, received a grant of $95,700 from the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF) to fund its Cisco Academy training program. The initiative, which is in the midst of a successful pilot program, will provide people who are blind or visually impaired a sought-after opportunity to enter the cybersecurity industry and […]

Women’s History Month recognizes the vital role women have played and continue to play in American history and society. For hundreds of years, women – have made important contributions to our country, including enhancing the lives of people who are blind. Many people don’t know that Harriet Tubman, the well-known African American abolitionist, humanitarian, and […]

Readers of the NIB Connection blog know there are lots of things going on at National Industries for the Blind (NIB). NIB and its associated nonprofit agencies offer a wide array of quality SKILCRAFT® products and services. From offices essentials to military and industrial supplies to services such as contract management support and custom kitting, […]

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 […]