Austin, TX – Travis Association for the Blind, also known as the Austin Lighthouse, is being honored by National Industries for the Blind (NIB), the nation’s largest employment resource for people who are blind, with the 2021 Employment Growth Award. The award recognizes efforts by Austin Lighthouse to increase employment retention, growth and upward mobility for people who are blind.
In accepting the award, Jim Meehan, President & CEO of Austin Lighthouse praised employees who have been on the frontlines of the pandemic, producing and shipping hand sanitizer in high demand. “About half of our 400 employees are blind and engaged in manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, sales, and customer service operations. Throughout the last two years of the pandemic, the Austin Lighthouse has expanded operations and maintained full employment to meet our customers’ needs. By leveraging technology and cross-training programs, the Lighthouse is able to develop ever more difficult vocational skills to help blind Texans along on their career path and employment choice,” Meehan said.
“Designated as an “essential business” during the pandemic, our Purell hand sanitizer manufacturing lines produced and shipped nearly two million cases of product and have been essential in the fight to keep and maintain healthy workspaces in every corner of the United States. The Lighthouse employees take special satisfaction and pride in the role they have played in helping the nation and so many people during this difficult period”, Meehan added.
The honor from NIB includes a monetary award which the Austin Lighthouse will use to continue our mission to train and assist in the further employment of the blind and visually impaired.
“Congratulations to the Austin Lighthouse for receiving NIB’s Employment Growth Award,” said NIB President & CEO Kevin Lynch. “The Austin Lighthouse continues to do an outstanding job of creating rewarding career opportunities for people who are blind in Austin, Texas.”