Austin Lighthouse

Travis Association for the Blind, also known as the Austin Lighthouse, is a service oriented non-profit organization with the mission to assist people who are blind or vision impaired to attain the skills they need to become gainfully employed in the community. This endeavor has been supported by the citizens of Central Texas since 1934. Our Partnership Through AbilityOne: The AbilityOne (formerly JWOD) Program creates jobs and training opportunities for people who are blind or who have other severe disabilities. Its primary means of doing so is by requiring Government agencies to purchase selected products and services from nonprofit agencies employing such individuals. As a result, JWOD employees are able to lead more productive, independent lives. Our Partnership with the Texas State Use ProgramIn 1978, the Texas State Use Program was implemented by TIBH to increase employment, wages and, ultimately, enhance the lives of Texans with disabilities. This initiative resulted from the efforts of the Texas Legislature, which created the State Use Program under Chapter 122 of the Human Resources Code. In the 34 years since its successful implementation, the State Use Program continues to set new marks for the number of people with disabilities employed. In the past year, $36 million in wages were paid to these employees for work on state and local government contracts. Go to our website to see the products offered through these programs: http://www.gojo-skilcraft.com/