about us

Our Vision

To be the employer of choice in the surrounding area for people who are blind or visually impaired who are able and want to work, enriching their lives through meaningful work in a supportive environment.

Our Mission Statement

To enhance the opportunities for people who are blind to achieve greater vocational, personal and economic independence.

Our Values

EXCELLENCE

Our organization will strive for excellence in all that we do by:

Providing opportunities for organizational and personal growth
Encouraging open communications
Encouraging teamwork
Providing creative learning experiences
Providing a positive, fulfilling working environment
Providing a safe working environment

RESPECT

We will show respect for others at all times and in all places by:

Being sensitive to their attitudes, feelings and circumstances
Treating everyone in a courteous and equitable manner and expecting the same in return

COMMUNICATION

We will encourage communication that is:

Purposeful, honest and non-threatening
Clearly articulated and easily understood
Intended to promote or develop ideas and opinions

INTEGRITY

We will, at all times, behave in an ethical and trustworthy manner guided by our values, beliefs and mission.

CUSTOMER - DRIVEN

We will strive to understand our customers and to meet or exceed their expectations. Customers include employees, and others who receive our products and services.

A Brief History
Industries of the Blind, Inc. (IOB, Inc.) Greensboro traces its beginnings to 1933 when the first work program in North Carolina was organized as the Guilford County Association for the Blind for people who were blind. Our six employees made mops for commercial sales in a leased storefront.

IOB Greensboro was one of the first agencies employing blind people to become associated with the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) in 1938, and we then took our current name, Industries of the Blind, Incorporated. As an NIB agency, the number of product items produced by our employees increased and the number of employees grew to 35 blind people during World War II. During that period of time the first portion of our current building was constructed on West Lee Street, and a group medical plan and other fringe benefits were made available to employees.

IOB, Inc. entered into its first one million dollar contract in 1962. Additional important contracts followed including those for clipboards and pens in 1968. Along with the growth of work opportunities came additions, improvements and renovations to our building. Today IOB, Inc. employs over 100 employees in various manufacturing and service direct labor, supervisory and management positions. From our very beginning, our directors have believed in reinvesting excess earnings in the purchase of new equipment, the development of new products and the improvement of quality to create and sustain jobs for blind people. Our Executive Director attributes our success to " the hard work of IOB employees and the leadership of its Board of Directors that is extraordinary in its dedication to IOB's mission."

Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act (JWOD)
The National Industries for the Blind was incorporated in 1938 as a result of the Wagner-O'Day Act, legislation that established a Federal market for the purchase of products manufactured by organizations employing people with severe vision disabilities. The Act was amended in 1971 as the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act to provide for the purchase of both products and services and included Federal purchasing from industries serving people with other significant disabilities. A sister organization was formed called NISH to represent these agencies with the Federal Government.

The Committee For Purchase From People Who Are Blind Or Severely Disabled is a small Federal agency, which administers the JWOD program. Their members include senior officials from major Federal procurement agencies and private citizens representing people who are blind and otherwise severely disabled who are appointed by the President of the United States.

For further information on Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act, The National Industries for the Blind, or Skilcraft products, please visit these websites:
www.nib.org
www.jwod.gov

An NIB Associated Agency
Industries of the Blind. Inc., Greensboro, is associated with National Industries for the Blind, a private not-for-profit corporation that develops new business opportunities and allocate government contracts for its associated agencies. There are 84 NIB associated agencies located nation-wide employing approximately 5,000 individuals who are blind in manufacturing, service, professional, supervisory, and management positions. These individuals choose to work at an NIB associated agency because technology, accommodations, and other specialized services are used to optimize productivity and job satisfaction.

Board of Directors

Fred Reinecke
Chairman of the Board/President

Lenwood Dennis
1st Vice President

Jack Knowles
2nd Vice President

William J. Craft
Secretary

Steve Bright
Treasurer

William O. Cordes
Assistant Treasurer

J. Patrick Adams
Joe Hughes
Tom Hall
Polly Black
Chi Anyansi-Archibong
Harold Messick
Vickie Kilimanjaro

Meet Our Staff

Betsy Thorne Executive Director
David LoPresti Director of Operations
John Swaine Director of Finance
Varo Duffins Human Resources Manager

Congressman Melvin Watt Pays IOB A Visit!

On August 6th, 2008, North Carolina 12th District Congressman Melvin Watt visited Industries of the Blind, Inc. during his 12th annual "Trading Places" tour to meet our employees and see firsthand the quality products we produce. Betsy Thorne, IOB Executive Director, lead the facility tour pointing out key features and persons in each deaprtment.

In our Hydration Carrier area, Congressman Watt met Linwood Lynch, a 22 year employee, who instructed him on the operations of two automatic sewing machines, one to sew use and care labels and the other to sew the handle onto the hydration carrier. Both machines have been setup for blind employees to operate. The Congressman then took the time to perform both operations on several carriers.

In our Pen Department, the Congressman joined our hand pen assemblers and made several pens, keeping the ones he produced.

Industries of the Blind genuinely appreciates Congressman Watt's taking the time to visit our facility, listening to our ideas and concerns, and learning that people who are blind can be productive and vibrant contributors to our community. We hope to see him again soon.