San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind

Through its rehabilitation programs as well as employment opportunities in its manufacturing assembly plant and retail military stores, the San Antonio Lighthouse mission is to touch lives by creating independence for individuals who are blind/vision impaired so they may lead productive and quality lives.

 

In 1933 the Lighthouse offered part-time work for five people at a North Presa Street sewing plant where pillow cases were produced. Since those humble beginnings, it has served the community and the nation by manufacturing products during times of war and peace. Today the San Antonio Lighthouse has almost 500 employees. 240 are blind, and supports the military efforts by manufacturing Mechanical Pencils, Rollerball Pens, Highlighters, Clam Clip System Fastening Products, Military Helmet-Retention Assemblies, Aerospace Insulation Blankets for Boeing, U.S. Postal Straps, Navy Fleece Parka Liners, Spill Kits and Absorbent Products, Aviation Oil Analysis Kits and other textile apparel such as the new combat shirt for the Army. 

 

The Lighthouse Rehabilitation Center provides vocational and independent living rehabilitation programs that increase the independence of individuals who are blind or visually impaired, as well as those with other disabilities. The Center's experienced staff has the capacity to provide a variety of training services to meet the needs of each individual, from basic life skills to advanced technical skills that will yield high level employment and full independence. Program services are provided to participants in a one-on-one or group setting and are coordinated based on the needs and interests of each individual.

 

The SALB is also proud to house one of the only Senior Center’s in all of South Texas. With classes on medication management, crafts, fitness/exercise and cooking, the San Antonio Lighthouse Senior Center offers area seniors a great place to learn how to maintain their independence and socialize at the same time. Because more than half of all persons who are blind or visually impaired are over the age of 55, the San Antonio Lighthouse offers a unique opportunity for them to stay independent and active.

 

The SALB operates 13 Base Service Center Stores on 11 military installations located in Texas, including two in San Antonio – Lackland and Randolph - Oklahoma and New Mexico. An Additional store is going to be built on Ft. Sam Houston Army Base in San Antonio. These stores are operated under the auspices of the Javits Wagner O'Day act, known as Ability One, which began in 1938 as the Wagner O'Day act and amended in 1971 to become the Javits Wagner O'Day (JWOD) act. This act requires the Federal Government to procure products and services from non-profit agencies that employ blind or severely handicapped people.   The base stores were opened to operate under the JWOD act and in compliance with “Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)”.   What began as one store is now providing a bright future for the ABILITY ONE Program. SALB sells blind made products, which both strengthen the manufacturing jobs for the blind, and operating a store with blind employees.   The stores selection offers more than 40,000 items through the website and over 60,000 at the stores.

 

While the products and manufacturing jobs may have changed over time, the San Antonio Lighthouse’s focus on providing opportunities for people who are blind has remained steadfast. The military now depends on the S A Lighthouse to ensure that deployed soldiers are equipped with proper uniforms and gear.

Please visit our website at www.salighthouse.org