Employment Programs for the Blind and Visually Impaired
History of Employment Supports
There is an over 70% unemployment rate nationally for persons who are blind and visually impaired. The Lighthouse needs your help to reduce this statistic in our area which has over 8,300 working aged persons who are blind and visually impaired.
The Lighthouse has provided Vocational Rehabilitation/Job Readiness Training to adults with visual impairments since 2009. Vocational Rehabilitation prepares participants for future employment. Training includes: Independent Living; Orientation and Mobility; Computers and note taking devices; Career Counseling and Guidance; Job Placement; On-the-Job Training; and Job Modification including Adaptive Technology. As part of the program, we have also assisted the community by providing information on tax credits available to companies who hire individuals who are blind, and by helping the public develop an understanding about vision impairment.
Many clients who have taken our Vocational Rehabilitation/Job Readiness programs are now successfully employed, working towards employment, or are in pursuit of higher education. For example, Theresa manages the Lighthouse WebStore and now uses the WebStore to train clients with an interest in becoming employed in ecommerce. Donna is employed as a licensed Real Estate Agent and is also a Telephone Representative. Wendy returned to college and earned an Associate’s Degree, then she enrolled in a very exclusive training program and is now working as a Civilian Contract Specialist for the Army. Ben was able to return to his former career selling cars because of his training in specialized computer technology. Kathleen returned to school with a possible goal of working in human services. Richard, and many others, are now fully trained and are working with the Lighthouse to find meaningful employment.
In 2010, we began to work on initiatives for employing graduates of our Vocation Rehabilitation Program. To develop a strategic plan and to learn as much as possible about the industry, we engaged the National Industries for the Blind and SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives). These two organizations are dedicated to helping the community and small businesses succeed. They have been and will continue to be a tremendous resource for us as we move forward with employment.
The Lighthouse WebStore
Many people with vision impairment want to work—please give them an opportunity!
Our first employment initiative started in January 2011, with the opening of the Lighthouse WebStore, which is a Lighthouse e-commerce program that sells donated books (print and audio), DVD’s, and CD’s. Theresa Santana, a recent client alumni, was hired to coordinate the WebStore activities. In the last 13 months, Theresa has proven to be a very talented professional and an important part of the Lighthouse team. She has taken on additional responsibilities, identified and implemented ways to improve productivity, and trained others to do the type of work she is doing. Theresa manages the entire e-commerce process, including inventory, adding items to the internet sales site (http://amzn.to/lvibstore), and processing sales. The WebStore (on Amazon) has a 4.95 star rating—which indicates that Theresa is doing a fantastic job.
Theresa states that she loves her job and is always excited to go to work. Sales are gradually increasing, and we are always accepting donations. She says she had proficiency with computers prior to her employment at the WebStore, but she has significantly increased her skill level with the computer, and with adaptive technology designed for persons who are visually impaired. She also stated that the work has increased her confidence and independence in other areas of her life. If you’d like to read more about Theresa, she was featured in our Spring 2011 edition of LVIB IN TOUCH.
When we first hired Theresa, we coined the phrase “Keep Theresa Working.” Thanks to her hard work and the generosity of donors, we’ve succeeded in doing just that. Now it’s time to move on and help others with vision impairments to succeed. We hope our new Lighthouse Opportunity Center will lead to the success of many persons with visual impairments as they get a real opportunity to work.
The Lighthouse Opportunity Center
On April 23, 2012, The Lighthouse Opportunity Center held its Grand Opening event. The goal of The Lighthouse Opportunity Center is to provide hands on work skills training and a work experience program to persons who are visually impaired and blind. It also provides paid employment for persons who are visually impaired and blind. In the first year we plan to employ 5 to 10 adults with limited or no functional vision. Employment training and opportunities include training in administration, assembly, packaging, and light manufacturing. Trained workers are employed at The Lighthouse Opportunity Center as well as in the community. Through meaningful employment, persons with vision impairments will become contributing members of the community, lessen their financial dependency, and experience a higher quality of life.
The Grand Opening Event was a huge success. We were fortunate to make the front page of the Pasco Section of the Tampa Bay Times. To see the article, please visit “New Lighthouse program puts blind people to work” at www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/new-lighthouse-program-puts-blind-people-to-work/1227115. Please visit our Photo Gallery to see the Grand Opening slideshow.
The Center began operations with its first assembly project contracted with the Soule Packing Company. Through this project, we are able to employ two visually impaired persons and pay them minimum wage. A third person is also employed at The Lighthouse Opportunity Center through the WebStore. The Lighthouse is working with the National Industries for the Blind to develop additional manufacturing contracts. We also need to find jobs in the community. The Lighthouse has engaged a Business Development Specialist who is working in the community to building relationships that will result in employment contracts. Our Supported Employment Specialist/Job Readiness Trainer is also involved in this endeavor.
Employment at The Lighthouse Opportunity Center is contingent upon Federal contracts developed with the National Industries for the Blind, corporate partnerships and community support.
Here are some of the ways you can help:
- Put the Lighthouse to work for your company by utilizing our employees and services to complete your projects, such as assembly and packaging of kits, materials, etc., or sub-contract assembly or light manufacturing projects to us.
- Become a Corporate Sponsor of The Lighthouse Opportunity Center by providing in-kind contributions such as office supplies and equipment.
- Become an Opportunity Partner by agreeing to donate $2,500 or more, which will enable us to provide job training and placement. Thanks to Progressive Air Systems, Inc. for becoming our first Opportunity Partner!
- Make a one-time donation in any amount to help us provide jobs.
- Make a donation that gives twice—donate $25 or more in honor of a special person on their special day, and we’ll send an acknowledgment of your gift along with our best wishes.
- We also accept and appreciate memorials donations.
- Donate the items urgently needed—see our Wish List at http://lvib.org/help/donate/wish-list.
- Our donors can be recognized in many ways—ask us for details!
We would also like to invite you and your team to join us at The Lighthouse Opportunity Center for a “Feel the Vision Tour”—a unique and ‘eye-opening’ way to learn about vision impairment in the workplace. To book a tour and for more information, please call (727) 815-0303 or email lighthouse@lvib.org.
A Message from the Executive Director
Thank you for your support of The Lighthouse Opportunity Center and people who are visually impaired and blind. We really need your help to make the Center a success. Please review the list of ways you can help, provided above. If you’d like to help but are unsure of how you can make a contribution, please call me and we’ll discuss. I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Sylvia Perez, Executive Director
727-815-0303
sperez@lvib.org
