Lighthouse Service Contracts
The Lighthouse is continuously researching ways to create competitive, good paying employment opportunities for persons who are blind or visually impaired. One way this is achieved is through the acquisition of government service contracts.
Because of specific provisions in the Ability One program, agencies such as The Lighthouse have the opportunity to not only bid on government service contracts, but also to retain the contract each renewal year. This allows us the ability to create long term employment opportunities with above average wages set by the Department of Labor.
Currently, The Lighthouse has five service contracts throughout Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast which include:
- Switchboard operations for the VA Medical Center in Biloxi, MS
- Switchboard operations for Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, LA
- Warehouse operations for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Harahan, LA
- Mailroom operations for the IRS in New Orleans, LA
Each location offers great job opportunities to people who are blind or visually impaired. Together, these five locations employ about twenty-five individuals with an annual payroll of over $600,000.
It has been our experience that people with visual impairments can perform almost any job that may be held by a sighted individual, as long as they have the proper accommodations. Thus, The Lighthouse has set up extensive on-site training at each location where someone with the right qualifications, even if inexperienced, can learn on the job.
The Lighthouse has committed to creating these opportunities by finding ways to adapt any workplace for blind individuals. Sometimes simple adaptations are the key to success, such as appropriate lighting, color-coding systems, or simple talking aids. Other times, the accommodations may require more extensive strategies, such as talking computers, electronic magnification, or Braille note taker devices. Either way, if there are blind applicants who show potential to be successfully employed through The Lighthouse, we are committed to identifying the appropriate accommodations to help them succeed.
The Lighthouse is proud to offer a variety of employment opportunities to people with visual impairments. It is our goal to continue growing our government service contract programs, so we can continue to support the employment of individuals who are blind.
