CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas —
The American Foundation for the Blind reports that just around 44% of people who are blind or visually impaired are employed.
There's one non-profit in the Coastal Bend that's doing what they can to make sure that every person who is blind or visually impaired and wants a job has a place to earn a living.
Just 60 years ago, South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind started making mops. That was just a two-person operation. Today the non-profit has over 200 employees and operations at military bases in 12 different states.
So that everyone has a shot at success, chief operating officer David Wells says the non-profit adapt their equipment and systems to meet the needs of those who have low vision and are completely blind.
He adds that they are committed to providing the best experience to those who are blind or visually impaired.
"Most visually impaired people, all they need is an opportunity and a little bit of help from their employer,” Wells said. “There's a lot of accommodation that can be made that doesn't cost a lot of money, but just takes a little bit of effort."
Those who work for the non-profit manufacture everything from military chinstraps to office supplies.
They even sew products like mechanic gloves for the federal government and create plastic trays for the U.S. Postal Service.
“We have people that work in our manufacturing facility. We have individuals that work in our base supply stores, individuals that work in IT, accounting, sales and customer service. It's important for us to provide not only jobs, but upward mobility services and training,” Wells said.
Stacie Hernandez has been working at South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind since 2009, when she was just 21 years old.
"It was nice getting out of the house, being able to do stuff on my own. You know, just being around another environment besides home," Hernandez said.
From making neck gaiters to helping produce 12 million rolls of toilet paper that the non-profit distributes every year, Hernandez has done it all.
And like her other friends, she's doing it while seeing almost nothing at all.
“I can only see light, dark and shadow,” she said. “I am almost completely blind. I can't see objects, or colors or nothing like that"
Hernandez says South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind gave her one of her first opportunities to do something on her own. Being around and working with people who share her abilities gave her a second place to call home.
“It's been pretty nice making friends here and connecting with people here. It's like family."