jobs for the blind

Posted by braille.smarty on 2/29/2012 at 10:03 PM

Is there a job call Dialog In The Dark in Iowa.
I Know there are some in different states.

There are currently 14 replies

Re: jobs for the blind

I Googled it and did not see a listing for it in Iowa. I know it is an exhibit in NYC, Atlanta, and other locations. I haven't heard of too many job openings specific to the exhibit. But, you can always contact them to see if they are going to be creating one in your area. I hope it works out.

Sincerely,
Joe S.
AFB Staff

Re: jobs for the blind

brlo17/Joe, please note the following url with regard to your question regarding "Is there a job call Dialog In The Dark in Iowa". The site does not suggest direct hire opportunities, however it does offer information regarding "Hosting an Exibhition". The organization appears to be NPO in nature, therefore the party(s) interested in pursuing this option would be responsible for attaining seed funding in order to begin. For more information the viewer should visit the site titiled as "www.dialogue-in-the-dark.com.

It will be important to remember to ad hyphens to the url to reach the correct site.

CL Jones

Re: jobs for the blind

CL is right on, bringing you right to the source of the information.

Thank you for the help!

Sincerely,
Joe S.
AFB Staff

Re: jobs for the blind

You are welcome. I have tried for years to advice that I am very good in research and location strategic information. Perhaps if anyone cares to use my service they can reach me via AFB.

Re: jobs for the blind

One major deficit for the blind is the ability to engage in Self-employment and utilize JWOD or Randolph Sheppard. Vocational Rehab agencies will assist, however they will not allow you to become a non-profit therefore disqualifying you from bidding on federal contracts in accordance with Far 8.7. This initiates disparate treatment and loss of potential income for millions of blind consumers.

The system is badly broken and those who set as leaders are not all blind and do not fully understand that blind consuemers embrace the same day to day economic conditions as they, and yet are expected to work for substandard wages.

Current legislation advises this action for substandard wages is being phased out, however it still needs to remove barriers for blind consumers who wish to become small business owners and allow them access to purchase from the blind the same as large for profit venues like Office Depot, Staples and other distributiors who sell competitive products which violate terms of JWOD.

It would behoove blind consumers to write their congressment and seek future access to that which was intended to provide opportunity for ALL blind consumers not just those who are forced into slave labor conditions.

Re: jobs for the blind

Alpha Pointe Center for the Blind is one of the best employment opportunities in America at present. They truly respect their employees and pay them a fair wage and provide a plethora of products and services in a safe environment in Kansas City Mo.

I toured the facilty last month and was very impressed with the potential to applicants. There are others that could learn from this facility and offer more to all of America's consumers and worry less about executive level salaries.

Good work Mr. Mabry and Staff

P.S. I am not an employee or representative of this facility.

Re: jobs for the blind

The message board posting opportunities is outdated, some as old at 2011. Perhaps if these were removed we would not have to assume they are still active and not become embarassed when advised otherwise.

Re: jobs for the blind

I don't know much about that specific facility, but that is good to know.

The Hadley School for the Blind has a new self employment / entrepeneur program called the Forsythe Center. This is a free program for persons who are blind or visually impaired. There are a number of classes and resources provided through the program. Just another resource to know about.

I wish you all the best!

Sincerely,
Joe S.
AFB Staff

Re: jobs for the blind

I sent a long email to this forum and it was never posted. Any reason, Joe?

Re: jobs for the blind

Not sure, I didn't remove it -- I do know that if I write a really long message to post on the message boards, it may kind of time out and your message will not get posted. If I am writing a really, really, long message, then I will copy the content prior to submitting. Then, I will paste it in if it doesn't post. I don't know if this it what happened, but this is my first thought.

Hope you have a great day!
Sincerely,
Joe S.
AFB Staff

Re: jobs for the blind

Hi my name is bianca and I work at a place called Industries for the Blind. Nick named I.O.B. It is a great place to work. More than 90% of the employees are blind or visually impaired. We manufacture products for the military and commercial. I live in North carolina. there are several of these facilities in different cities in North carolina.
Some of the products we manufacture at the company I work at are balistic nape pads which are bullet-proof padding for the soldiers helmet, t-shirts, mops and brooms, parachutes, pens and clip boards, and a lot of other neat products. There are many of these companies in different states and some other countries. The wages are fare and if you do not have skills you will be trained on the job. Some of the employees are sighted but they are very few. They are needed to do some of the things that a person with visual impairments cannot do.
I love my job. I am a sewing machine operator in the ballistic nape pad department. You get to meet a lot of great people like yourself and start great friendships rather than being just co-workers. So if you are interested in finding a job go to your local services for the blind office and find out if there are places like this in your city. If you live in North Carolina the current cities that have these locations are Greensboro, Raleigh, Durham, Charlotte, and Winsten-salem.

Re: jobs for the blind

Does anyone have any info on jobs in North Carolina? I have a BA in psychology and am currently having no luck finding work in my home town. My husband and I ar considering relocating for better work opportunities.

Re: jobs for the blind

Jessica82: hi! You didn't mention your job skills or experience,so I don't know what kind of job you want. However, you mention a B.A. in Psych. In my industry (mental health) you could qualify for a position called MHS or Mental Health Specialist. They are bachelor's level and do case management and group therapy. I suspect this kind of job might be called another name but has the same description around the country. Medicare reimburses for this so agencies like to hire MHS's since they garner a lower hourly rate than say an LCSW, LMFT or PSY D. (I' m a blind LCSW in CA). I still work full time. Good luck!

Re: jobs for the blind

Thank you for posting, I missed this one.

I think Katharine provided some really quality information.

What types of jobs have you been applying for?

What was your plan while in college in that degree?

Do you have work experience?

What skills do you have?

I don't know where you live in NC, I don't think relocation should be the first thought, but it could open opportunities depending on the situation. It is difficult to provide advice from such basic information.

We will be looking for another post. Thank you!

Sincerely,
Joe S.
AFB Staff