Lighthouse for the Blind - St. Louis Earns National Industries for the Blind Award for Sustaining and Increasing Employment for People Who Are Blind

ST. LOUIS, MO, January 27, 2011 (Press-News.org) Lighthouse for the Blind - St. Louis was recently honored for its efforts to increase employment retention, growth, and upward mobility for people who are blind in 2010.

The award was presented by National Industries for the Blind (NIB) in recognition of Lighthouse for the Blind - St. Louis' success and commitment to increasing employment and economic opportunities for people who are blind.

"We are proud to provide employment opportunities for people who are blind," said John Thompson, President. "Over 90% of our direct labor force, including our supervisors, are legally blind and represent a loyal, dedicated and capable workforce. We are honored to serve as an example in the community of the capabilities of people who are blind. We are please to provide quality products, on time and at competitive prices to the federal government as well as commercial customers."

The 2010 Employment Award winners receive cash payments from a $1 million fund created to recognize and encourage NIB associated agencies that grow or sustain employment for people who are blind. Emphasis is also placed on efforts to increase upward mobility in the workplace and job placements.

With a 70 percent unemployment rate for working aged Americans who are blind, all efforts to create jobs for this population help to change this statistic and provide economic and personal freedom for people who are blind.

"It is an honor for me to recognize agencies such as Lighthouse for the Blind - St. Louis that are dedicated to creating jobs and high-growth career opportunities for people who are blind," said Kevin A. Lynch, president and CEO of NIB. "I truly appreciate their efforts to reduce the unemployment rate for this population."


Also known as LHB Industries, the Lighthouse was founded in 1933 and today maintains offices and manufacturing facilities that currently employ more than 60 legally blind persons at two locations in Saint Louis County.

The Lighthouse manufactures, assembles, warehouses and sells high-quality products to government and commercial customers nationwide including first aid kits, medical kits, catheters, aerosol and liquid paints, aerosol and liquid cleaning products and many others.

For more information, contact Abby Barnett at toll-free 800.542.3697, or 314.423.4333 ext.130, or visit the website http://www.lhbindustries.com.

At National Industries for the Blind (NIB), our mission is to enhance the opportunities for economic and personal independence of persons who are blind by creating, sustaining and improving employment opportunities. NIB and 90 associated agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind. These employees make and sell SKILCRAFT products and services to the federal government and Department of Defense through the AbilityOne Program, established by the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act. http://www.NIB.org.

The Lighthouse for the Blind is a privately chartered, 501(c)3 non-profit corporation established in 1933. Through the manufacture and sale of products to various government agencies as well as commercial customers and individuals, we are able to further our mission of assisting individuals who are legally blind maintain dignity and independence by making available employment, education and support services. We are committed to providing a supportive environment where our employees can count on developing new and productive skills that will assist them in reaching amazing levels of independence. For more information, please visit us online at http://www.lhbindustries.com.