Program areas at Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired (CABVI) Industries Program is a nationally recognized manufacturing operation and has been producing top-quality goods for the United States Government since 1911. The Industries Program operates in accordance with the Ability One Program under the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act (JWOD), providing employment to people who are blind or visually impaired. CABVI also provides products to the State of Ohio through State-Use and the Community Rehabilitation Program. In 2022, CABVI provided 51,744 hours of work to Industries Program employees with vision loss. Principal products include: rolled paper and tape products, standard and custom signage, kitchen gadgets, door hardware and the packaging of sticky notes and batteries.
CABVI operates two other social enterprises, VIE Ability and the Base Supply Center (BSC). VIE Ability sells office supplies and furniture to the State of Ohio, commercial businesses and individuals. This successful program continues to grow customer service jobs for people with vision loss. In 2022, 75% of the workforce were individuals with a visual impairment. In total, VIE Ability provided 9,015 employment hours for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The BSC is operated under the authority of the U.S. Air Force and sells products manufactured by blindness and disability agencies across the United States. The products sold are included on the Federal Procurement List and their use by Federal employees provides and sustains employment of people who have disabilities. In 2022, the BSC provided 4,231 employment hours for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
CABVI is a comprehensive multi-service vision rehabilitation organization serving 4,239 persons who are blind or visually impaired in 2022. Today our vision services include Access Technology Services, Early Childhood and Youth Services, Low Vision Services, Rehabilitation Services and Social Services. In 2022, we hired a full-time optometrist and two new occupational therapists to serve the low vision population. In addition, our access technology team developed a comprehensive logistics training program creating a new career path for individuals with vision loss.
CABVI provides contract close-out services under the Ability One program. Currently, CABVI has individuals performing contract close-out duties for Air Force Material Command at Wright Patterson Air Force Base and for Marine Corps System Command in Quantico, Virginia. In 2022, CABVI provided 34,239 employment hours to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. To date, 31 of CABVI's former blind contract closeout specialists have been hired into careers with the federal government or into professional positions with other organizations. CABVI also provides Audio Information Services to those who are blind or visually impaired. These services include broadcast reading services, talking book services, personalized talking print service and podcasts. In 2022, 13,598 listeners were served by CABVI's Audio Information Services.