NIB Connection

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 […]

In the fall 2017 issue of Opportunity I reviewed the breakthrough real-time service offered by Aira Tech, a San Diego venture startup that aims to make life easier for people who are blind. The Aira service pairs users who are blind or visually impaired with vetted, trained “visual interpreters” who are on call 24 hours […]

The NIB annual report for fiscal year 2022 is now available on the NIB.org website. The 2022 annual report, Focus Forward, spotlights NIB’s significant achievements in 2022 and new initiatives aimed at growing employment opportunities for people who are blind, including public policy advocacy, partnerships with leaders in information technology to provide job training, and […]

As 2022 draws to a close, NIB and its nationwide network of associated nonprofit agencies wish you and yours a pleasant holiday season and a healthy and prosperous 2023. The NIB Connection will return on Wednesday, January 4, 2023.

Longtime advocate Lauren Branch is passionate about the need for organizations serving people who are blind to come together and find common ground to advance their interests. As president and CEO of NIB associated nonprofit agency NewView Oklahoma, a member of the NIB board of directors, and chair of the VisionServe Alliance executive committee, she […]