Legislation has helped expand employment opportunities for people who are blind
Alexandria, Virginia—National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is proud to recognize the 30th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This landmark legislation has broken down barriers for people who are blind or have disabilities and given them the same opportunities as others in the workplace, at school, and in daily life.
“Thanks to the passage of the ADA, over the past 30 years, life has improved for people who are blind,” said NIB President and CEO Kevin Lynch. “Most importantly, the ADA has helped raise awareness about the limitless capabilities and potential of people who are blind in the workplace.”
The ADA has helped fuel the growth and adoption of accessible technologies, enabling people who are blind access to greater career opportunities and choice than ever before. NIB and its nationwide network of associated nonprofit agencies are focused on expanding these employment opportunities for people who are blind. As the nation’s largest employment resource for people who are blind, NIB leverages accessible technology to grow and sustain employment for people who are blind in a range of cutting-edge manufacturing and professional services fields. Today, nearly 6,000 Americans who are blind, including veterans, are employed at NIB and its associated agencies across the country.
“While tremendous progress has been made, nearly 70 percent of working-age Americans who are blind are not employed,” said Lynch. “NIB is committed to partnering with governments and private industry to help grow employment for this largely untapped workforce.”
Since its passage, the ADA has helped bridge the accessibility gap by showing businesses how they can accommodate employees who are blind, enabling organizations to tap into a pool of talented and dedicated prospective employees. To ensure workplace success, NIB can assess a candidate’s skill level and assistive technology needs, educate managers and employees on working with people who are blind, and identify resources for new employees and employers.
As the nation commemorates the ADA’s 30th anniversary, NIB continues to expand its efforts to enhance the personal and economic independence of people who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining, and improving employment. Learn more about NIB and the 30th anniversary of the ADA in the new issue of Opportunity Magazine, on our blog, and on NIB’s website.
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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.