Associations for Blind Partner to Support Wounded Veterans

National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and The United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) will work together to enhance each organization’s mission and target initiatives on the promotion of sports and employment opportunities for people who are blind and visually impaired with an emphasis on wounded warriors and veterans who are blind.

Goals of this partnership include locating and identifying various professional organizations in the blindness fields and making them aware of USABA sports and NIB employment opportunities; identifying and promoting to people who are blind and visually impaired, including wounded warriors, various employment opportunities within NIB’s more than 85 associated nonprofit agencies throughout the United States; and promoting USABA sports opportunities and physical wellness activities to the blind and visually impaired employees of NIB affiliated agencies.

“NIB is proud to support the good work that USABA does to provide opportunities in sport and physical activities to veterans who are blind and visually impaired in order for them to lead healthy lifestyles. We look forward to working with USABA to provide these same veterans a range of employment opportunities as they transition from military to civilian life,” said Kevin Lynch, president and CEO of NIB.

“The USABA has a long history of working to enhance opportunities for the blind, as does NIB,” said Mark Lucas, executive director of USABA. “With Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom resulting in the highest percentage of eye wounds in any major conflict since World War I, it is particularly important that we help our returning wounded warriors. Partnering with NIB will allow these veterans many more opportunities for growth than USABA could offer alone.”

About National Industries for the Blind
In the United States, seven out of 10 people who are blind are not employed. 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.

About United States Association of Blind Athletes
Since its founding in 1976, USABA, a community-based organization of the United States Olympic Committee, has reached more than 100,000 blind and visually impaired individuals. The organization has emerged as more than just a world-class trainer of blind athletes, it has become a champion of the abilities of Americans who are legally blind. View a DVD on USABA’s Mission Vision program.

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