Don’t be fooled, this place is an absolute joke. They win people over with their sappy stories and services for the blind. If only you knew what really goes on there. Upper management are all about the money, with their big houses and fancy cars. Meanwhile, the majority of the blind people are stuck in production with low pay and absolute no room for advancement even if they have the potential. They are showcased during tours like circus animals, and made to believe that the organization saved them from the harsh world outside. Services are glamorized, but do nothing to actually help the blind? They don’t help them get good jobs outside production or anywhere else for that matter. In fact, there are very few blind people outside of production and especially in upper management. They know nothing about the blind or what it truly takes to be blind, yet they lead the company. This place is a horrible place to work if you are blind, unless you want to be stuck at a dead end job for the rest of your life. This company is led by the sighted to represent the blind. They don’t care about improving lives, just about their own packets and image.
If you decide to join this organization, do yourself a favor and steer clear of the VP of Sales. Loves to trash former employee once they leave the organization during meetings, and even goes as far as "goal-tending" reference checks from the HR department so she can personally tell potential employers all about you and how lousy of an employee you were, which is illegal- even in Texas. I'm sure the board members are proud of this ongoing childish behavior. Grow up!
Review from Guidestar
For the past five years the SABusiness Journal has reported that the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind (SALB) is one of the largest manufacturing operations in San Antonio. The SALB recently began construction for an additional 55,000 SF Multi-purpose facility that will house the first ever of its kind in the state of Texas – Blind Children’s Education Program serving birth to 14 as well as a complete resource for their parents. It will also have a Low Vision Clinic in conjunction with the University of Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry serving low income families with vision loss. Not to mention the 80 additional jobs for blind individuals. The new building is around the corner from their existing 55,000 SF facility on Roosevelt Ave.
In addition to writing utensils and other office supplies, the lighthouse manufactures products for the military that range from the Army Combat Shirt to Cargo Parachutes, aircraft insulation blankets and floorboards to chinstraps. It operates 13 Military retail stores and has an on-line catalogue of 40,000+ line items (anyone can order from the site and will receive their purchase the work next day with no shipping charges.)
But, the "military" side is just one facet. There is a commercial side to the manufacturing that includes, for example, a new exercise suit that is being developed & manufactured exclusively at the SALB. News hit the local airwaves just last quarter.
http://www.ksat.com/news/SA-inventor-creates-new-workout-suit/-/478452/17047496/-/o70dvsz/-/index.htmlT
Some other interesting tidbits of late:
-Rehab people served this year: 6000 (raising the quality of life for those who are loosing or have lost their sight. - training on everything from assistive technology, computers to cooking.)
-Commercial office supplies sales up 63% (to $675K)
-State Division of Blind Services 2012 “Outstanding Employer"
-Once again Express News & Business Journal’s “Best Place to Work in SA”
-Non-Profit Times “Top 50” Non-Profits in Nation
-Awarded new 5-Month, $700K Boeing "Stratotanker Floorboard" contract
-Began production on new SRG Exercise Suit
And, of course, there is always the Lighthouse on "YOUTUBE": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn9qobZFtl4