Alexandria, Virginia – National Industries for the Blind (NIB), the nation’s largest employment resource for people who are blind, is recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) throughout October. Now in its 75th year, the annual observance celebrates the workplace contributions of employees with disabilities and the value they bring to their organizations. To continue raising awareness and improving employment opportunities for people who are blind, NIB will be sharing helpful resources and stories from employees who are blind throughout the month.
“We are proud to highlight the capabilities of people who are blind during NDEAM,” said NIB President and CEO Kevin Lynch. “NIB is committed to raising awareness about the unlimited potential of people who are blind and their contributions to the nation’s economy. Employers can greatly benefit from this largely untapped yet highly capable workforce.”
This year’s NDEAM theme, Increasing Access and Opportunity, encourages companies to ensure their work environments accommodate people with disabilities, including those who are blind.
Nearly 70% of working-age Americans who are blind are unemployed. People who are blind have proven time and again that they are capable and dedicated employees, but they often struggle to find jobs where employers fully understand and provide support for people with disabilities.
NIB understands that sustainable employment and career success are key to helping people who are blind achieve greater independence. NIB works tirelessly to create opportunities for job seekers and employees who are blind, and provides award-winning training and professional development for people who are blind to enhance leadership, business, and technology skills. In addition, NIB offers consulting services to corporations interested in hiring people who are blind to help them understand how easy and affordable accommodations can be.
Follow along on NIB’s Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook pages to read spotlights of employees who are blind and other important NDEAM-related information, and read NIB’s NDEAM blog post on the NIB Connection blog.
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About National Industries for the Blind
Since 1938, National Industries for the Blind (NIB) has focused on enhancing the opportunities for economic and personal independence of people who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment. NIB and its network of associated nonprofit agencies are the nation’s largest employer of people who are blind through the manufacture and provision of SKILCRAFT® and other products and services of the AbilityOne® Program. For more information about NIB, visit NIB.org.