“People who are blind face an extremely high unemployment rate, and we need to put those people to work. And this is a way that you can do it, at virtually no cost to the taxpayer,” says Dan Kelly, President and CEO of IFB Solutions. National Industries for the Blind (#NIB) and its network of nearly 100 associated nonprofit agencies are advocating for a mandatory 1% AbilityOne Program utilization goal for the United States Department of Defense. “A 1% goal may sound small, but in the context of a $900-billion-dollar defense budget, 1% can make a huge impact.” Discover how this goal could drive significant employment opportunities for people who are blind. Watch our video below for more insights. #DisabilityAdvocacy #Blindness #EmploymentOpportunity #AbilityOne #ChampionEmploymentGrowth
National Industries for the Blind
Non-profit Organizations
Alexandria, Virginia 4,994 followers
About us
Building Careers for People Who Are Blind Despite continued gains in employment, people who are blind remain one of the nation’s greatest untapped labor resources. In fact, nearly 70 percent of working-age Americans who are blind are not employed. This statistic fuels NIB’s mission to create, sustain and improve employment opportunities for people who are blind. Today, NIB is not only focused on creating jobs – but on developing careers through challenging, knowledge-based positions in high-energy, quality work environments. NIB works with more than 100 associated nonprofit agencies in more than 250 locations across the United States, offering a wide range of career opportunities with no boundaries. Join Our Team! NIB is a dynamic organization that employs both sighted and blind individuals, all focused on the mission of creating jobs for people who are blind. Our goal is to match your skills and passions with a rewarding career, while working in a positive and progressive environment. For us, it’s not just a job – it’s a mission! Visit NIB.org to learn more.
- Website
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http://www.nib.org
External link for National Industries for the Blind
- Industry
- Non-profit Organizations
- Company size
- 51-200 employees
- Headquarters
- Alexandria, Virginia
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 1938
- Specialties
- Creating employment opportunities for people who are blind through the manufacturing of SKILCRAFT products and delivery of services.
Locations
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Primary
3000 Potomac Ave
Alexandria, Virginia, US
Employees at National Industries for the Blind
Updates
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Choose SKILCRAFT® Contract Management Support (CMS). Why? Because it’s efficient, cost-effective, and streamlines contract closeouts for government agencies. Since launching in 2010, our CMS program has identified $25.7 billion for deobligation and closed over 570,000 contracts, achieving a quality rating of 99.6%. Our services enable government personnel to focus on essential functions while facilitating the return of unused funds. By choosing SKILCRAFT® CMS, you're not just optimizing contract processes; you're also supporting our mission to create meaningful career opportunities for people who are blind. https://lnkd.in/eqbxQM4w #ContractManagement #NIB #SKILCRAFT #GovernmentSupport #CareerOpportunities #ProcureWithPurpose #SKILCRAFT [Carousel image description: First image is of a woman with braided hair and glasses, smiling while holding a file folder. The text reads "SKILCRAFT Contract Management Excellence." Next images show statistics: "570,000+ contracts closed out," "$25+B to be deobligated," and "99.6% quality rating." The backgrounds are blue, purple, and green. The final image reads Procure With Purpose and a link to the website, and NIB and SKILCRAFT logos beneath.]
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Empowering people who are #blind or have significant disabilities starts with action. NIB and its associated nonprofit agencies urge Congress to adopt a 1% #AbilityOne Program utilization goal for the #DepartmentOfDefense. This statutory goal could create tens of thousands of new #employmentopportunities for people who are blind or have significant disabilities, enhancing their economic independence. Learn more about this important initiative and how your voice can make a difference! https://ow.ly/qqIh50SBI5O #ChampionEmploymentGrowth #DisabilityEmployment #DisabilityAwareness #YourVoiceMatters
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Our Heard & Empowered #podcast has had over 2,300 unique downloads since its launch in November 2023, and has captivated listeners worldwide! We're excited to highlight the top five episodes by download, featuring powerful stories from people who are #blind or #visuallyimpaired. Top 5️⃣ Five Episodes: #1. From the Battleground to the Boardroom: A Career Path Like No Other, with Jeffrey Mittman from Bosma Enterprises #2. How to Find Your Path and Career Opportunities When You’re Losing Your Vision, with Rebekah Grieb from Alphapointe #3. About the Host: Discover Hoby Wedler, Ph.D.'s Story and Jumpstart Your Job Search #4. Kyle Johnson Talks About Support, Help, and Advice to Find Meaningful Jobs for People With Vision Loss from Lighthouse Central Florida #5-1. How #NIB Works and How #NSITE Connects People Who Are Blind to Job Opportunities, with Jonathan Lucus, EdD, MPA, EML from NSITE #5-2. Sophia McCall’s Journey: From Depression and Blindness to a Thriving Career as an HR Recruiter from Louisiana Association for the Blind Subscribe to and follow Heard & Empowered, leave a five-star review, and don’t forget to share with friends and family! 🎧 Listen now: https://lnkd.in/gQwEHfPt #HeardAndEmpowered #DisabilityEmployment #Blindess #LowVision #DisabilityNotInability #CareerSuccess #CareerOpportunities
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This year, NIB welcomed 14 new members to the Advocates for Leadership and Employment program! There are now 60 Advocates in the program, all working to #ChampionEmploymentGrowth for people who are blind in their communities and nationwide. Meet the new class of Advocates, who visited Washington, D.C., in May to urge Congress to adopt a 1% AbilityOne Program utilization goal for the Department of Defense to grow employment for people who are blind or have significant disabilities. https://ow.ly/bN2650SuXfM #DisabilityAdvocacy #DisabilityEmployment #NIB #Blindness #CapitolHill [Multiple images of group photos of NIB's Advocates for Leadership and Employment sitting around a table and then posing for their class picture.]
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NIB is a proud sponsor of the 2024 American Council of the Blind (ACB) Conference and Convention in Jacksonville, FL! This year's event is a joint effort between the ACB and the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA). #ACB2024 Yesterday, NIB President and CEO Soraya Correa stopped by our booth to visit with Andy Monday, NIB veteran affairs and wounded warriors specialist. If you’re attending, stop by and learn more about how NIB provides #veterans and #military spouses who are #blind, #visuallyimpaired, or have other #disabilities with a wide range of career options that suit their interests, goals, and capabilities. You can also visit https://lnkd.in/ehz7W-kh #DisabilityEmployment #DisabilityAwareness
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MaryBeth Clare’s experience with NIB's Advocates for Leadership and Employment program is a powerful example of advocacy in action! Since joining in 2022, MaryBeth has met with Idaho legislators to discuss the needs of people who are blind or visually impaired. She’s worked closely with Senator James Risch, who has visited her at the Base Supply Center (BSC) on Mountain Home Air Force Base to see the AbilityOne Program in action. “It’s so important to advocate for yourself and for others. It’s what we need to be able to keep our jobs and supply the military with what they need. We are so vital, and I just don’t think that people see it. And I want to be the voice that just shouts out, ‘Let us keep our jobs. Let us work with the military. Let’s do this because we’re such a vital part.’” MaryBeth continues to work closely with her legislators, enlisting their support for the NIB community's 2024 public policy focus: a 1% AbilityOne Program utilization goal for the Department of Defense to grow employment for people who are blind or have significant disabilities. Read more about her advocacy efforts here: https://lnkd.in/ef9t_-qc #ChampionEmploymentGrowth #AdvocacyinAction
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October will be here before you know it, and we're gearing up for an incredible event! Save the date for the 2024 Training Conference and Expo, happening October 14-18 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, VA. Not only will the week be filled with valuable training sessions, a dynamic expo, and the chance to connect with industry leaders, we will also highlight our Employee of the Year nominees and the winner! More information, including registration, will be available soon on the NIB website: https://nib.org/tce/
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Today, we celebrate the freedom and independence that make our nation special. At NIB, we are dedicated to fostering employment opportunities for people who are blind, inspired by the same values of liberty and equality that we honor today. May your Independence Day be filled with joy, pride, and appreciation for the freedoms we cherish! #July4 #IndependenceDay
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In our latest episode of Heard & Empowered, Hoby Wedler, Ph.D. speaks with Blake Lindsay, a renowned voice artist, author, and the director of communications and outreach at Envision Dallas. Blake’s incredible story, from a thriving 22-year radio broadcasting career to leading initiatives at Envision Dallas, showcases the power of resilience and innovation. Blake discusses his journey with retinoblastoma, the significant influences of Louis Braille and Zig Ziglar in his life, and how he embraced #blindness as a gift. His insights on adapting to technology and making various jobs accessible provide a refreshing perspective on overcoming challenges and finding purpose. Don't miss this inspiring conversation! https://lnkd.in/eYK_RqTz #HeardAndEmpowered #NIB #Braille #DisabilityEmployment #DisabilityAwareness
#Blind or #visuallyimpaired? You can have career versatility and excel at anything you put your mind to! 🚀 Blake Lindsay's career journey is nothing short of extraordinary. He went: 🎙️ From radio personality to customer service expert at Bank of America… 📢 From motivational speaker sharing the stage with (the late) Zig Ziglar to writing and publishing his own books… 💼 And is now serving as Outreach & Communications Director at Envision, Inc. in Dallas. Blake has excelled in diverse roles, all fueled by his love for people and exceptional #communication skills. 🗣 Blake's story, featured in today’s episode of the Heard & Empowered podcast by National Industries for the Blind, highlights the importance of passion, dedication, and superior #customerservice. His ability to adapt and thrive in various professions is truly inspiring. It also highlights the #inclusivity of leaders and caring management who #ChampionEmploymentGrowth for people with #blindness. 🎥 Click on the video for a snippet of Blake’s engaging conversation with our host, Hoby Wedler, Ph.D., and listen to the full episode at https://lnkd.in/eYK_RqTz. Let Blake's journey motivate you to give your best—personally and professionally—always! What career transition have you found most challenging and how did you overcome it? Tell us in the comments! 💬