National Industries for the Blind Recognizes Alabama Industries for the Blind for Efforts to Increase Employment Among People Who Are Blind
Alabama Industries for the Blind (AIB) recently received an Employment Retention, Growth and Upward Mobility Reward from the National Industries for the Blind, for their commitment to increasing employment and economic growth opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired.
“We are proud to provide employment opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired,” said Billy Sparkman, Executive Director of AIB. “Our team members represent a dedicated and loyal workforce. We hope to serve as an example in the community of the capabilities of people who are blind or visually impaired.”
In the United States, seven out of every ten working-age Americans who are blind are not employed. Federal purchasing of SKILCRAFT® and other products and services under the AbilityOne Program (formerly the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Program) from NIB associated agencies like AIB employs more than 5,000 Americans who are blind across the nation. In fact, NIB and its associated agencies, under the AbilityOne Program, represent the single largest employment program for people who are blind in the country.
“At NIB, we are happy to reward our agencies for their efforts to retain and grow employment and create upward mobility options for people who are blind,” said Jim Gibbons, CEO and President of NIB. “Their hard work and achievements are enabling more people who are blind to achieve socioeconomic independence and equality.”
In 2006, the NIB Board of Directors created the Employment Retention, Growth and Upward Mobility Reward Program to promote employment opportunities for people who are blind at NIB associated agencies.
About AIB
Alabama Industries for the Blind (AIB), a division of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, is one of the nation’s largest employers of persons who are blind and visually impaired. AIB provides a variety of products and services including; screen printing, brooms, mops, paper products, and military supplies. AIB is the sole producer of men’s uniform neckties for all braches of the U.S. military. AIB operates manufacturing plants in Talladega and Birmingham, Alabama and maintains military base supply stores in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi.
About NIB
At National Industries for the Blind (NIB), it is our mission to enhance the opportunities for economic and personal independence of persons who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment. NIB and its associated agencies serve as the largest program responsible for the employment of people who are blind through the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act and the AbilityOne Program. NIB and its associated agencies around the country work to deliver quality products on time and at a fair market price.
About AbilityOne
Created in 1938 and amended in 1971, the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Act and the AbilityOne Program provide employment opportunities for people who are blind and provide products and services to federal and commercial customers. Today, the program stands as a national employment model.