National Industries for the Blind

NIB is the nation’s largest employment resource for people who are blind, and through its network of associated nonprofit agencies, is the largest employer of people who are blind in the country. We create opportunities for people who are blind to become wage earners and taxpayers, reducing their reliance on government support and increasing engagement with their communities.

NIB connects its associated agencies with manufacturing and service delivery opportunities with the federal government and commercial companies. Our customers get the business solutions that they need, and people who are blind are employed—it’s a win-win. We offer career training, which is crucial to getting Americans who are blind employed and keeping them employed. Today, thousands of people who are blind are using these skills in state-of-the-art manufacturing and professional services careers.

NIB’s impact is made possible through the sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services produced and delivered by people who are blind. SKILCRAFT is a registered trademark owned and licensed by NIB. The SKILCRAFT line includes thousands of offerings — from office supplies and hardware to knowledge-based professional services — that meet or exceed exacting government standards, including the rigorous requirements of the U.S. military.

Vision, Mission, and Values

NIB’s vision is that blindness is not a barrier to employment.

NIB’s mission is to enhance the personal and economic independence of people who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining, and improving employment.

NIB’s value proposition is that we are:

  • Ethical: We will maintain the highest principles and always act in a transparent and ethical way
  • Respectful: We treat everyone with respect
  • Knowledgeable: We strive to maintain the most current and accurate knowledge and skillsets needed to provide expert assistance
  • Team-oriented: We consider our team to be our most valued asset and will continuously invest in resources that allow our most valued asset, our team, to grow and be successful
  • Responsive: We are dedicated to being responsive to our stakeholders
  • Innovative: We are proactive in identifying new employment opportunities by reaching new customers, adding new growth business lines, and seeking strategic partnerships
  • Strategic: We strive to develop new strategies to increase employment in response to changes in the environment
  • Results-oriented: We strive to grow employment while meeting the needs of our core stakeholders
  • Supportive: We will strive to provide our associated agencies the maximum support possible

Facts and Key Statistics

  • Nearly 100 associated nonprofit agencies located across the country
  • 160+ Base Supply Center stores on military installations and federal government facilities
  • 7,000+ different products, including 4,000+ SKILCRAFT products

In fiscal year 2023, NIB and its associated agencies:

  • Employed 5,237 people who are blind
  • Created 308 new job opportunities for people who are blind
  • Paid more than $165 million in wages and benefits for employees who are blind
  • Paid an average hourly wage of $14.07 to direct labor employees who are blind
  • Offered rehabilitative services to105,345 people who are blind nationwide
  • Employed 476 veterans, including veterans who are blind

NSITE

In 2021, NIB launched a national talent management enterprise known as NSITE. NSITE provides a continuum of employment services that connect employers with talented, dedicated people who are blind, visually impaired, and/or veterans to meet their workforce needs. NSITE works with employers and job seekers alike to provide support throughout the career life cycle. Learn more at NSITE.org.

NIB and the AbilityOne Program

NIB participates in the federal AbilityOne Program as an AbilityOne® Authorized Enterprise. Established by the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act, the AbilityOne Program coordinates with approximately 450 nonprofit organizations across the country to help approximately 40,000 people who are blind or have significant disabilities find employment providing goods and services to the federal government at fair market prices. NIB is a designated central nonprofit agency (CNA) under the AbilityOne Program.

While remaining committed to the AbilityOne Program and its federal customers, NIB has strengthened and expanded its relationships with commercial companies and state and local governments to increase employment opportunities for people who are blind. NIB oversees the New York State Preferred Source Program for New Yorkers Who Are Blind (NYSPSP), a state-use program that creates and sustains employment opportunities for New Yorkers who are blind or visually impaired. Visit NYSPSP.org to learn more.

Download our corporate brochure to learn more about NIB.

Click here to learn about NIB’s storied history and impact since its establishment in 1938.