Lighthouse Manufacturing Program

The modern Lighthouse industrial program is designed to accomplish three important things. The first is to create competitive jobs for people who are blind or visually impaired by producing quality products for our customers. The second is to provide a training ground for learning competitive job skills.  The third is to educate the sighted community of the often overlooked, yet exceptional level of performance achieved by people who are blind.  We have found that visitors, and especially prospective employers, who tour our production facilities experience a radical change in their perception of our workers’ capabilities.

The Lighthouse manufactures paper cups, paper towels, and pillowcases on ultra modern high-speed equipment. This is the same equipment that can be found in any competitive manufacturing facility!  We take great pride in the fact that our employees are operating the same equipment, with great efficiency, and that we are able to be price competitive with much larger companies who do not employ individuals with disabilities.
       
Our largest customer is the Federal Government, through the General Services Administration and Military Base stores. These contracts, which are part of the Ability One program and made possible by the Javitz-Wagner-O’Day legislation, create jobs and generate revenue, which is used to support the wide variety of services The Lighthouse has to offer.
       
The Lighthouse currently has three manufacturing plants: our main campus in New Orleans, Louisiana; our cup operation in Crystal Springs, Mississippi; and our pillow case operation in Gulfport, Mississippi. Together, these manufacturing facilities employ over 85 blind or visually impaired individuals and have a total combined payroll of 2.9 million dollars.

The Lighthouse Industrial Manufacturing program has continuously evolved to meet the needs of our customers and employees. As technology changes, we develop new products and services to stay up-to-date with consumer demands. This allows us to stay competitive. And, most importantly, it allows us the ability to continue creating jobs for people who are blind or visually impaired.  
       
We are always looking to add quality people to all three of our Lighthouse locations. If you or anyone you know is blind or visually impaired, we encourage you to contact our Human Resources Department for more information about current positions. Or, click on Employment Services on the left side of your screen to view current job listings.