National Industries for the Blind

Catch up with Soraya Correa, NIB’s president and CEO! Since joining NIB in March, Soraya Correa has been inspiring change and driving innovation. In this episode of the Heard & Empowered podcast, Soraya shares her remarkable journey—from a clerk typist to a transformative leader in government procurement. With over 40 years of experience, including her role as a founding member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Soraya is committed to creating opportunities for people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired. Don’t miss this inspiring episode—tune in now: https://bit.ly/4gb1hze What’s the most inspiring piece of advice you've received on your journey? Share in the comments below! 💬👇 #Leadership #Inclusion #Blindness #Empowerment #CareerOpportunities #GovernmentProcurement #Podcast

On National Wreaths Across America Day, December 14, NIB employees and volunteers proudly joined millions across the country in honoring our veterans by participating in the wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. They paid their respects by placing wreaths and speaking the names of fallen heroes—a poignant reminder of their service and sacrifice. NIB also supported the Wreaths Across America mission by purchasing 20 wreaths that contributed to other ceremonies that day, which took place in more than 4,600 locations across all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and abroad. #WreathsAcrossAmerica #Veterans #HonorTheFallen #Freedom #Community Photo 1: Andy Monday, NIB program manager, veterans and business development support; Cynthia Houston, NIB CPI senior specialist; and Ralph 🇺🇸 Gore, NIB specialist, product development support. Photo 2: Ralph Gore and Andy Monday place wreaths in Arlington National Cemetery. Photo 3: Kurt Borgoyn, NIB senior product development engineer, commodities; Dee Borgoyn; and Andy Monday.

NIB’s President and CEO Soraya Correa was recently congratulated by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin for her inclusion in “Virginia 500: The 2024-25 Power List,” compiled by the editors of Virginia Business. Soraya was recognized in the nonprofits and philanthropy category, and Youngkin’s letter noted that her inclusion “is a reflection of your leadership, and the respect garnered by your colleagues.” The Virginia 500 compiles the state’s most powerful and influential executives and leaders across 20 different categories, including government, banking, healthcare, law, federal government, real estate, architecture, construction, and more. “Your dedication and professional accomplishments set a high standard for others to aspire to. Your commitment to your profession benefits the Commonwealth, making Virginia the best place to live, work, and raise a family,” Youngkin’s letter continued. “Thank you for strengthening the Spirit of Virginia.” #Virginia500 #womeninbusiness #leadership #womeninleadership

Last week, NSITE's own Douglas Goist spent the day volunteering with So Kids SOAR, a nonprofit organization that empowers youth with physical and developmental disabilities. Doug, who is a goalie for the Washington Blind Hockey Club and the U.S. National Blind Hockey Team, joined So Kids SOAR and Monumental Sports and Entertainment Foundation for their adaptive ice hockey clinic. He was joined by Washington Capitals center Nic Dowd and goalie Charlie Lindgren as part of a session to “Skate with Dowd’s Crowd and Lindy’s Lineup.” Doug and Charlie faced off across the ice in opposing nets and took shots from 60 children with disabilities at all skill levels, from beginning skaters to experienced hockey players. Picture 1, from left: Aiden McCown, Washington Blind Hockey Club (WBHC) player; Mike McCown, WBHC coach; Doug Goist, NSITE program manager, workforce development, and WBHC player; Kevin Brown, WBHC player; Nic Dowd of the Washington Capitals; and Sami Amaya, WBHC player. Picture 2: A group shot from the So Kids SOAR adaptive ice hockey clinic on December 4.

Several new AbilityOne Base Supply Centers® (BSCs) opened this year – there are now 162 locations nationwide! Located on military bases and federal installations across the country, BSCs offer one-stop shopping to military personnel and federal employees.   2024 Highlights: 📍 Lakehurst COPARS (Bestwork Industries for the Blind, Inc) – First sale in June 📍 Fort Detrick BSC (Industries for the Blind & Visually Impaired) – Celebrated 15 years of service in June 📍 U.S. Naval Academy BSC (IFB Solutions) – Held grand opening in August 📍 Altus AFB COCESS (South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind) – Came online in August 📍 Navy Ship Stores Resupply and Warehousing (South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind) – Services rolled out in September   BSCs deliver convenience and quality with same-day delivery options on-base. Explore our growing network and discover how BSCs support government missions.   Learn more or locate a BSC near you: https://lnkd.in/exPHxrqB   Pictured at the Fort Detrick 15th anniversary celebration are, from left, Mike Jewett, senior interagency liaison associate director for Program Integration NIAID/NIH; Soraya Correa, NIB president and CEO; TIMOTHY SELBY, IBVI’s Ft. Detrick BSC store manager; and Luis Enrique Lebron, NIB director of BSC Programs.   #AbilityOne #BaseSupplyCenters #SKILCRAFT #InclusionWorks #MilitarySupport

Meet Alicia Howerton, a tireless advocate whose work to break down down barriers for people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired began long before she became an NIB Advocate for Leadership and Employment. From championing insurance coverage for white canes in Ohio with others from the Cleveland Sight Center to empowering others to advocate for themselves, Alicia’s impact is far-reaching. Her advice: “Never apologize for your blindness and always speak your truth. Never stop learning and growing, and most of all, have an ‘I can do it’ attitude.” Read more about Alicia: https://bit.ly/4iro6QF #AdvocacySpotlight #InclusionMatters #NIBAdvocates #BreakingBarriers #VisionForInclusion

Discover the perfect venue for your next function at National Industries for the Blind’s 100,000-square-foot LEED Gold-certified building, located in the vibrant Potomac Yard neighborhood of Alexandria, VA. Space Highlights: - 10,000 sq. ft. of flexible function space - Multipurpose rooms with state-of-the-art A/V technology - Spacious reception area with modern amenities - Outdoor patio with stunning views of Alexandria and Washington, D.C. - Penthouse boardroom with breathtaking Potomac River and monument views Explore our meeting room designs and check availability: https://bit.ly/41hdxcG Questions? Email [email protected] or call 703-310-0518. #ConferenceSpace #AlexandriaVA #Venue

Congratulations to Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh, recipient of the NIB 2024 Small Agency Achievement Award! Their incredible contract performance and efforts to increase employment for people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired set a remarkable example. Learn more about their journey and impact: https://ow.ly/nWOA50Um19O #NationalIndustriesfortheBlind #BlindandVisionRehabilitaionServicesofPittsburgh #ExcellenceInAction #Inclusivity #Empowerment #EmploymentOpportunities #BlindCommunity

In October, NIB and NAEPB honored Essendant Director of Sales Marc McCollough with a lifetime achievement award for his many years of support to both organizations, NIB’s associated nonprofit agencies, and the AbilityOne Program. McCollough has represented Essendant for more than 22 years. Based in Deerfield, Illinois, Essendant is an AbilityOne Program® authorized wholesaler that offers logistics and distribution expertise, a broad product assortment, and system integrations for businesses of all sizes. “For more than two decades, Marc’s steadfast support and dedication has helped empower people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired through meaningful employment, and has made our working relationship with Essendant extremely strong,” said Soraya Correa, NIB president and CEO. “Both NIB and NAEPB appreciate his unwavering commitment which has left a lasting legacy within our community.” #NationalIndustriesfortheBlind #NAEPB #Essendant

Register now for the NIB 2024 Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) Forum on December 11-12, 2024, at Horizon Industries in Tyler, Texas! This year’s theme, “Enhancing the Network for Continuous Improvement,” offers: - Engaging sessions - Networking opportunities - Valuable training to elevate your CPI programs Register now: https://cvent.me/002wlm Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and grow! #NationalIndustriesfortheBlind #HorizonIndustries #CPIForum2024 #ContinuousImprovement #ProfessionalDevelopment #NIB #Networking #Innovation