NIB Connection

Opening doors to greater independence and rewarding careers for people who are blind has been central to the AbilityOne Base Supply Center® (BSC) program since its beginning 25 years ago. As the program celebrates this milestone anniversary, NIB is spotlighting four BSC employees and the opportunities they found at BSCs. Kim Utley, Manager, Dover Air […]

In the mid-1990s – before 9/11 and the armed forces expansion that accompanied the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq – military bases were under pressure to cut costs. On-base stores that provided everything from office supplies to cleaning products for thousands of military personnel became prime targets. Once the stores closed, personnel began using newly […]

Nonprofit agencies associated with National Industries for the Blind (NIB) typically host in-person visits with policymakers at their facilities during the traditional August congressional recess. Given that nothing has been typical or traditional during the COVID-19 pandemic, NIB supported the agencies in creating a virtual Grassroots Advocacy Week to share with local, state, and federal […]

The first-ever NIB/NAEPB Virtual Training Conference and Expo, slated for October 13-14, is shaping up to be a “can’t miss” event. This year’s conference will combine the critical information and training attendees have come to expect, with networking opportunities and an exciting virtual expo where they can meet one-on-one with exhibitors to discuss business needs […]

September is Disaster Preparedness Month and it appears 2020 will be another bad year for natural disasters, with California already experiencing its second-largest wildfire season and 13 hurricanes forming in the Atlantic Ocean before September. The deadly wildfires and hurricanes highlight the need to be prepared for disasters and provide aid when tragedy strikes. At […]

Last week, we posted about the critical kitting services some NIB associated agencies are providing to the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). But putting together kits and supplies for the troops is only half of the story — materials need to be delivered to the field. That’s where NIB associated agencies experienced in warehousing and distributing […]

NIB and its associated nonprofit agencies are always on the lookout for new opportunities to create jobs for people who are blind. To grow opportunities for steady employment, some agencies are now providing kitting services to the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) for the U.S. Armed Services. Kits of all shapes and sizes are needed for […]

For more than 80 years, NIB and its associated nonprofit agencies have embraced creativity and innovation to expand employment opportunities for people who are blind. Back when NIB was formed in 1938, society had a very limited view of what people who are blind could accomplish. Those who were able to find work were often […]

National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is honored to present the 2020 R.B. Irwin Award to Dr. A. Gidget Hopf. The Irwin Award, NIB’s highest honor, recognizes Dr. Hopf for her innovative work creating employment opportunities for people who are blind. Dr. Hopf recently retired as CEO of NIB associated nonprofit agency Association for the […]

NIB has always been dedicated to creating innovative career opportunities for people who are blind and developing innovative solutions when we run into stumbling blocks. When we realized we were having trouble recruiting people who are blind into higher-level positions, we had to find the reason and a solution. Our analysis revealed one big outlier: […]