Founded in Durham in 1936 as a civic-club project, LC Industries was created to provide employment for people who are blind. Today, the company carries that purpose into its work for the federal government through the AbilityOne program, manufacturing products while employing Americans who are blind or visually impaired. Its long-running military mattress operation dates to a 1941 U.S. Navy contract.
ISO 9001 Certified
AbilityOne Program
Compliance program
Industries of the Blind, IncSince 1933, Industries of the Blind has operated a Greensboro manufacturing and distribution workplace where people who are blind or visually impaired make products and perform contract work for government and commercial customers. Its roots are in a six-person mop-making program, while today the nonprofit produces everything from its long-running SKILCRAFT pens to military apparel and equipment. At least 75% of its direct labor is performed by people who are blind, connecting everyday production with the organization’s goal of greater independence.WARWICK, NY
Central Association for the Blind and Visually ImpairedSince 1929, Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired has paired comprehensive vision rehabilitation with a social-enterprise manufacturing operation that creates jobs for people who are blind or visually impaired. Its Central Industries division employs more than 120 people—about half legally blind—to produce and ship goods for federal and New York State customers, while business revenue helps fund CABVI’s services across Central New York.UTICA, NY
Blind Industries & Services of Maryland (BISM)Since opening a small Baltimore mop-making shop in 1908, Blind Industries & Services of Maryland (BISM) has grown into a nonprofit manufacturer and service organization that creates products for government, military, and private customers while employing blind and low-vision people. BISM also provides independence training and rehabilitation for people of all ages, with manufacturing and training operations spanning four states and the District of Columbia. Its textile operations are registered to ISO 9001:2015, and BISM describes itself as Maryland’s largest employer of blind and low-vision individuals.FORT GEORGE G MEADE, MD
The Abilities Connection (TAC Industries)Since 1980, Springfield nonprofit The Abilities Connection—known in its manufacturing work as TAC Industries—has paired meaningful employment for people with disabilities and other barriers with contract manufacturing, including cargo nets for the U.S. Air Force. TAC has produced more than one million cargo nets and remains the sole-source supplier of those nets to the Air Force, while also providing industrial sewing, assembly and third-party logistics services. Its ISO 9001:2015-certified operations are part of a broader mission that includes workforce development and community support.SPRINGFIELD, OH