Overview
The National Industries for the Blind’s history dates to the early 1930’s, when leaders in the blindness community urged Congress to open the federal government market to nonprofit organizations employing people who are blind. The law, known as the Wagner-O’Day Act, was signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 25, 1938. It required federal government agencies to purchase certain products manufactured by people who are blind.
Mainstream employment is where NIB plans to go in 2021. NSITE will be a robust resource supporting job candidates and employees who are blind or visually impaired. It will also serve employers. A sustainable program can only exist if both sides are supported.
NSITE is a talent management solution which provides a continuum of employment services that connect employers with talented, dedicated people. They just happen to be blind, visually impaired, and/or veterans. With NSITE as a partner, employers get everything they need to make talented people who are blind or visually impaired an essential part of their workplaces.
NSITE works with employers and job seekers to provide support throughout the entire career life cycle. Starting with filling a need, NSITE works with employers to understand their goals and requirements. Then they identify potential candidates who are blind, visually impaired, and/or veterans. From there, NSITE assists with accessibility needs, onboarding, and training. Then they prepare both groups for job placement. NSITE’s work does not stop there. It continues with ongoing support to accommodate changes in accessible technology and changing needs.
Contact edhenkler@theblindguide.com to learn more.
About The Blind Guide, LLC
Academy Connection
Ed Henkler (USNA '78) is the Founder of The Blind Guide, LLC. After 10 years in the Surface Navy nuclear power fleet, he joined Merck & Co., Inc. Most of his time at Merck was in the Research Division, providing strategic planning and operations suppport, including management of a $1 Billion annual capital plan. After early retirement from Merck, he has pursued a passion borne of his mother's loss of sight to macular degeneration. He is making the world more accessible for people who are blind.
The Blind Guide, LLC
Ensuring that people who have lost their vision shift their goals from surviving to thriving. Dedicated to people experiencing vision loss and those that love them.
Based on our Founder's career history, we have a special focus on increasing the employment of veterans, veteran and military spouses, people with disabilities (especially blindness), and their intersectionalities (e.g. blinded veteran).
The Blind Guide, LLC partners with a number of veteran-owned small businesses and the National Industries for the Blind to create meaningful employment opportunities with mainstream compensation.
