BISM Logo, blue compass

Blind Industries & Services of Maryland

BISM Logo, blue compass

BISM

We positively change people's
attitudes about blindness.

Our Services

Every Purchase Made Creates Jobs for Blind Marylanders and Provides Rehabilitation Training

 

Essential Status Explanation

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) has been declared a “critical infrastructure industry” by both the State of Maryland and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Accordingly, consistent with a Memorandum from the Department of Homeland Security, dated March 19, 2020, BISM will remain open for business and fulfill our “special responsibility to maintain a normal work schedule.” A copy of the Memorandum and letter from the Under Secretary of Defense, dated March 20, 2020, is available through the following link: Click Here

BISM and its Associates are proud to assist in these challenging times and to manufacture and distribute critical disinfectants, soaps, gloves, masks, sanitizers, toilet paper, paper towels and bottled water for State of Maryland customers, as well as cloth face coverings, uniforms and other textile goods for all branches of the U.S. military. We continue to work diligently to maintain a safe workplace for all of our Associates and take all appropriate measures to reduce the threat of the COVID-19 virus in our facilities.

News & Events

Message about Coronavirus/COVID-19

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) continues to closely monitor the Coronavirus/COVID-19 situation. We are committed to maintaining a safe work environment for our Associates, while continuing to manufacture and produce high quality products and supplies for our State of Maryland, federal government, and commercial customers.

BISM continues to take the following steps to increase our ability to resist the spread of COVID-19 and potential for introducing the virus into our facilities:

  • Limited third-party visits to our facilities, out of building meetings, and direct business contacts. Visitors to BISM must obtain advance approval for entry.
  • All permitted visitors are required to adhere to social distancing, the wearing of a face mask or other acceptable face covering, and proper hand washing and hygiene.
  • Suspended all Rehabilitation and Training department programs.
  • Limited outside customer pickups. Customers may still pick up ordered product at BISM, however they: (1) must schedule the pickup, in advance, with their sales representative and/or customer service representative; (2) may not enter the main building; and (3) must go directly to the loading dock. BISM will place products on the loading dock and customers will be required to load their own vehicle.
  • Limited in-person sales calls by BISM sales representatives.
  • Prepared an increased sanitation schedule for each facility with particular attention to bathrooms, kitchen areas and other common areas and surfaces.
  • Limited access to all BISM exercise rooms/equipment.
 

We will continue to update this page as we receive new and/or revised information.

Toilet paper & bottled water being distributed to BISM Raleigh associates

During this difficult time, BISM associates are pitching in to help each other! We delivered toilet paper and BISM NOW bottled water to our Raleigh location and made it available for our Raleigh associates, who produce uniforms for all branches of the US military. Both items are reported to be in short supply in the Raleigh metro area.

AbilityOne Base Supply Center 25th Anniversary Logo - Diamond with red ribbon: center text is 25th and red ribbon text is 1995-2020 Trusted Partner

The AbilityOne Base Supply Center (BSC) program is celebrating its 25th Anniversary! BISM owns and manages seven BSCs and they are an integral part of our organization. Learn more about BISM’s AbilityOne BSCs here,