For more than 100 years, Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) has worked to remove the barriers that limit opportunity for people who are blind or have low vision. Through training, education, and employment, BISM helps people build independent, fulfilling lives, and it’s still growing its reach.
Our Mission
BISM believes every person, regardless of how much they can see, has the right to a life of independence and purpose. We put that belief into practice through education, training, and employment, giving people the tools and support to pursue their own goals.
Programs That Make a Difference
Youth Programs: The Gold STAR Summer Youth Program helps young people who are blind or have low vision build confidence and independence. Students combine classroom learning, job readiness training, and outdoor activities, picking up everything from daily living skills to a first look at possible careers.
Adult Rehabilitation Services: The Adult Training Program teaches the skills adults need to live independently and succeed at work, including cooking, managing finances, and using assistive technology.
Job Readiness and Employment: Through the Work Readiness Program, participants get hands-on training for careers across a range of industries. BISM also employs people in its own production facilities and partners with organizations like Johns Hopkins Research Lab and EyeT Vision, offering internships and long-term placements.
Community Outreach and Advocacy: BISM works to change how the public understands blindness, through public education, local business partnerships, and events like our annual golf tournament, and new White Cane safety day walk.
Why Job Readiness Matters
For people who are blind or have low vision, a job is more than a paycheck. It’s a path to dignity, independence, and belonging. But the job market can be intimidating, and BISM’s programs are built to meet that head-on. Participants practice resume writing, interviewing, and workplace skills, and they leave ready to advocate for themselves. Partnerships with major employers turn that preparation into real career paths and long-term financial independence.
Building Confidence, Changing Perceptions
Education at BISM goes beyond skills. Whether someone is learning to travel a city with a white cane, use adaptive technology, or handle a job interview, they’re also building self-advocacy and resilience. Every participant’s journey is different, so our support is personalized, from mentorship to skill-building.
The impact reaches past the individual. By showing what people who are blind or have low vision can do, BISM is helping shift public perception toward a future where they’re recognized for their strengths and achievements, not just accommodated.
Join Us
BISM’s work is powered by partners, donors, and volunteers. Whether you’re a member of the blind community, a family member, or an advocate, we invite you to join us in building a more inclusive world.
