ALEXANDRIA, Va., December 4, 2024—National Industries for the Blind, the nation’s largest employer of people who are blind, was recently awarded three impressive military employment designations. In 2023, NIB employed 476 veterans, including veterans who are blind.
NIB connects veterans and military spouses, including those who are blind, low vision, visually impaired, or have other disabilities, with career options that suit their interests, goals, and capabilities. In partnership with NSITE, its talent management enterprise, and NIB’s nationwide network of nearly 100 associated nonprofit agencies, NIB offers employment opportunities for all experience levels and professional backgrounds in areas such as information assurance, cybersecurity, contract management support, call center operations, Section 508 assurance, management and administration, and Base Supply Center operations.
“NIB offers a wide range of services to veterans, with or without disabilities, and to their families, whether it’s assisting with the transition to civilian life or finding meaningful employment opportunities,” said Sorya Correa, NIB president and CEO. “Collectively, we owe our veterans a debt of gratitude that can never be paid. It’s an honor for us to support these men and women in finding meaningful employment opportunities that help them with the next phase of their journey.”
The Department of Defense (DOD) recently selected NIB as a Military Spouse Employment Partnership Small Business partner. The organization learned of the distinction in a letter signed by C. Eddy Mentzer, associate director of Military Family Readiness Policy and program manager of Spouse Education and Career Opportunities within the DOD’s Office of Military Community and Family Policy.
“On behalf of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy, I would like to congratulate National Industries for the Blind (NIB) on your selection as a Military Spouse Employment Partnership Small Business Partner (MSEP SB),” Mentzer wrote.
Mentzer continued, “Recognizing the importance that businesses play in the national and local economies, we have created MSEP Small Business with the intent of increasing employment opportunities for military spouses within military impacted communities and believe your partnership can assist with this mission. Your commitment to this program will be vital in the challenge of decreasing unemployment and wage gap disparities between military spouses and their civilian counterparts and driving economic security for our military families.”
As an MSEP SB partner, NIB will be expected to actively recruit and seek to hire military spouses for employment opportunities and post available jobs on the MSEP jobs portal. NIB must also offer targeted career support for military spouses such as telework, flexible scheduling and remote work, when possible; report on any military spouse hires; and participate in local outreach events to brand the organization and connect with local community networks serving the military population.
Secondly, NIB earned the Disabled American Veteran (DAV) Patriot Employer designation. The organization was recognized for its commitment to helping disabled veterans, military members and their families find meaningful employment opportunities.
The DAV Patriot Employer Program recognizes employers who demonstrate by their employment policies, hiring practices and community outreach that they have an unwavering commitment and passion to ensure all veterans obtain suitable employment to care for themselves and their families – and have the opportunity to live life with respect and dignity. Companies are evaluated on the strength of the company’s veteran recruiting/hiring, retention and career-building efforts; company policies toward disabled veterans, active-duty and veteran employees; and community outreach initiatives to support all veterans in communities where the business operates.
In addition, NIB was recognized as an “certified employer of choice” with the Virginia, Values, Veterans (V3) program. V3-certified companies work with the Department of Veterans Services and other strategic partners to support Virginia’s veterans. The V3 Program helps employers develop and implement long-term strategies and nationally recognized best practices in recruiting, hiring and retaining Veterans.
For more information on National Industries for the Blind, visit www.nib.org.
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About National Industries for the Blind
Incorporated in 1938, NIB is the nation’s largest employment resource for people who are blind, and through its network of associated nonprofit agencies, the largest employer of people who are blind in the U.S. NIB creates opportunities for people who are blind to become wage earners and taxpayers, reducing their reliance on government support and increasing engagement in their communities. The organization offers career training and assists employers and employees in developing mutually beneficial workplaces. NIB’s vision is that blindness is not a barrier to employment. In 2021, NIB launched a national talent management enterprise known as NSITE. NSITE provides a continuum of employment services that connect employers with talented, dedicated people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired, including veterans. For more information, visit www.nib.org or www.nsite.org