NIB Connection

This year marks an important holiday in the history of our nation: The 50th anniversary of the passage of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. While most people are familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which will be 33 years old on July 26, fewer are familiar with the Rehabilitation Act. But the Rehab […]

Sunday, June 25, marks the 85th anniversary of the Wagner-O’Day Act, the legislation that led to the creation of National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and ultimately, the AbilityOne® Program. The act, signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938, directed government agencies to give priority to suppliers employing people who are blind […]

As the labor market remains strong, employers looking to retain valued employees are renewing efforts to provide workplace accommodations. A recent study from the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) offers good news – a majority of workplace accommodations cost less than $500 to implement, with nearly half having no cost at all. From January 1, 2019, […]

On May 8, Jeff Mittman, president and CEO of NIB associated nonprofit agency Bosma Enterprises and president of the National Association for the Employment of People Who Are Blind (NAEPB), spoke with FOX 5 DC, the network affiliate in Washington, D.C., to discuss NIB’s recent Advocacy Day and some of the challenges people who are […]

Davina A. De BrauxNewView Oklahoma As lead contract closeout specialist for NewView Oklahoma, Davina De Braux ensures the accuracy and completeness of work and facilitates coordination with customers and government. A member of the Virginia State Bar, Davina received her law degree from Iowa University, a Master of Laws degree in taxation and a certificate […]

For NIB associated nonprofit agency Bestwork Industries for the Blind, 2023 is full of promise. Bestwork is diversifying from a successful textile manufacturing facility making uniform apparel for the U.S. military into a multi-faceted operation pursuing new lines of business and initiating rehabilitation services.  Founded in 1981 by WWII veteran Jim Varsaci, who lost his […]

On March 9, 2020, Orcam, the Israeli assistive hardware maker that developed the powerful wearable Orcam MyEye, announced the release of Orcam Read, a hand-held alternative for scanning and reading text from nearly any surface.  Launching Orcam Read seven days before the U.S. went into lockdown for COVID-19 was unfortunate, but the reading pen is […]

NIB forms strategic partnerships with government agencies, commercial businesses, and training organizations to carry out its mission to enhance the personal and economic independence of people who are blind. These partnerships enable both partners and customers to gain an appreciation of the capabilities of people who are blind.  Commercial Partners Expand Product Offerings  For more […]

To enhance the personal and economic independence of people who are blind, NIB forms strategic partnerships with government agencies, commercial businesses, and training organizations. These partnerships champion NIB’s mission and enable both partners and customers to gain an appreciation of the capabilities of people who are blind. Government Partners Help Grow Opportunities In October 2020, […]

Jonathan Lucus, executive director of NIB’s talent management enterprise, NSITE, joined Washington Business Journal (WBJ) Publisher Alex Orfinger recently on WBJ’s Executive Insights to discuss the challenges companies face in today’s tight labor market. Lucus explained how NSITE is working to open up new avenues for employers to diversify their talent search by connecting them […]