The 77-year-old organization is a valuable resource for individuals going through the loss of their eyesight. The numbers of folks in Tarrant County who are blind or significantly visually impaired has grown from an estimate of 30,000 in 2008 to 37,000 today. As the population ages, the numbers will continue to grow.
Platt Allen, president and CEO of Lighthouse since 2008, said his priority is to expand the industrial division with new products, which also means expanding employment opportunities and providing quality services to the legally blind within Tarrant County.
"The challenge is to figure out who they are and ask them what they need, want and expect from the Lighthouse," Allen said. "That would include assistance, companionship, and to help them and their families understand that just because you're losing your eyesight doesn't mean you're losing your life."
Currently, the Lighthouse's $22 million Industrial Division employs 75 individuals who are legally blind for the manufacturing of products such as energy dissipation pads, graffiti remover, hygiene kits, LED marking flares, fast pack shipping containers, copy paper and clear-barrel pens. Products are available for sale to commercial businesses as well as to local, state and federal government agencies. In addition to the industrial division, rehabilitation services provide mobility and orientation training, skills assessment, and independent living skills training to more than 1,500 individuals annually.
For the most part, the operation looks like any other production facility. "The amount of machinery adaptation we make to allow our folks to use them is not significant," Allen said. "This is the message we are trying to get across - that you don't have to make a lot of changes to make your facility blind-friendly or blind-accessible. People who are blind are competent and trainable. Our processes are repeatable and reliable. I think we have the best staff in the country," he said.
Lighthouse also provides employment for teens during the summer months. "When they leave, they are confident that they know how to act in the workplace and perform a job," Allen said. "If we can be the bridge for them, we're certainly happy to play that role."
Lighthouse Legacy and Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth invites the public to be part of the fun as they once again tee up in the dark to make a difference for youth, working age adults and senior citizens who are visually impaired. Shot in the Dark Golf Tournament & Wine Tasting will be held Friday, Oct. 5, at River Crest Country Club. EnerVest serves as the presenting sponsor.
Sponsorship opportunities are available at $5,000, $3,000, $1,500 and $750 levels. Contact Theresa Berend at [email protected] or Nancy Fisher at [email protected] for complete details.
