Our mission is to support the blind community by providing stable and rewarding career opportunities, innovative rehabilitation programs, economic and personal independence, and appropriate resources for training and education.
We are an internationally recognized leader whose associates provide evolving opportunities for blind people and others.
BISM Employs
BISM works tirelessly to change the staggering statistics that nearly 70% of blind individuals are unemployed or underemployed. BISM currently employs 480 Associates, of which 35% is blind in 11 facilities in Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia, Kentucky, and North Carolina.
We are the largest employer of blind individuals in the State of Maryland.
BISM Educates
BISM knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines a blind individual. Through our extensive education programs, BISM provides blind individuals with new ideas, a positive attitude towards blindness and encouragement to reach their full potential.
BISM Trains
Separately funded, BISM’s Independence Training and Rehabilitation (ITR) Division offers programs and services that provide comprehensive life-skills training for blind and low-vision youth, adults, and seniors. Our instructors, most of whom are blind, teach non-visual life-skills in braille, technology, independent living, cane travel, and woodshop. Learn more about our ITR (click to services page)
BISM Needs Your Support!
Executing our mission and achieving our goals would not be possible without the support from our partners and donors. 100% of funds we receive support BISM’s programs and services.
Together we are positively changing attitudes about blindness.
