Changing the Perception of Blindness

All Things Disability Employment E15

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All Things Disability Employment E15

Chris Lafollette, Jeff Mittman and David Steinmetz talked all things disability employment including recruiting, training and retention for people who are blind .Jeff Mittman said that the biggest barrier to employment for individuals who are blind is the perception or misperception that these candidates are not capable to do the job.

HR professionals, DEI professionals and people with disabilities should listen to this show to learn that with the right training, right technology and the right attitude, people who are blind can compete and be successful in the workplace.

Rooted in more than 100 years of history, Bosma is one of the Midwest’s largest nonprofit organizations providing employment and training for people who are blind or visually impaired. More than half of its workforce is blind or visually impaired, providing quality products and services to companies while creating jobs for people who are blind or visually impaired.

The National Association for the Employment of People Who are Blind (NAEPB) represents and protects the collective interest of its member organizations to enable them to strengthen and maximize opportunities for people who are blind.

Jeffrey Mittman is the President & CEO of Bosma Enterprises, one of the largest disability service organizations in the Midwest and the largest employer of people who are blind in Indiana.

He also serves as President of the National Association for the Employment of People Who are Blind, a membership association of 90 agencies from across the United States who share the common goal of employing people who are blind.

Jeff has dedicated his life to service. He spent over 20 years in the United States Army, retiring as a Master Sergeant. In 2005 during deployment in Iraq, Mittman’s team was attacked by an Improvised Explosive Device resulting in severe head and facial trauma and numerous other injuries. After enduring over 40 operations to rebuild his face and body, Mittman adjusted to his “new normal”, learning to live with permanent blindness.

Following his military career, he continued his life of service, working for organizations that support our nation’s military and people who are blind or visually impaired in addition to roles in the private sector. He is a requested speaker across the United States, giving lectures and sharing the lessons he has learned from his life and work experiences.

Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn and follow Bosma on Facebook and Twitter.

Arizona Industries for the Blind is an enterprise nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals who are blind to achieve their highest goals and aspiration through dignified employment while providing quality products and services to all its customers.

Chris LaFollette is the President/CEO of Arizona Industries for the Blind in Phoenix, Arizona. He currently has over twenty-one years working with National Industries for the Blind and a total of 25 years working with Department of Defense.

Chris worked with a NISH (National Industries for the Severely Handicap) organization for many years before he created a company that worked with National Industries for the blind and SourceAmerica organizations to better source commercial products for the federal government.

Chris is a graduate of Fayetteville State University and has spent most of his adult years being an advocate for the disabled and blind communities.

About Your Host

As the manager of Community and Public Relations, David Steinmetz uses his expertise, education, and personal experiences to “change the perception of blindness.”

Diagnosed with RP, a blinding retinal disease, at the age of 19, David uses his personal story to drive change that leads to improved employment outcomes and community integration for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Mr. Steinmetz graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Economics. Additionally, Steinmetz has continued his education by graduating from the Business Management Training (BMT) program provided by Darden Graduate School of Business, University of Virginia.

In 2008, David was the national recipient of the National Industries for the Blind Milton J. Samuelson Career Achievement award. This prestigious award recognized Mr. Steinmetz for his career achievements and community service work.

David Steinmetz is a member of the Governors’ Council on Blindness & Visual Impairments, is a Board Member at the Arizona Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired (ACBVI) and serves his community through the Chandler Lions Club.

Connect with David on LinkedIn and Instagram.

About the Show

Changing the Perception of Blindness; One Conversation at a Time is dedicated to breaking down barriers, de-mystifying blindness and promoting real world solutions that empower people who are blind to live a full and inclusive life.

Host, David Steinmetz connects with organizations, industry professionals and thought leaders who are working to bridge the gap that creates a world accessible for all.

About Arizona Industries for the Blind

Arizona Industries for the Blind is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating employment opportunities for people who are blind. It’s employees, more than half of whom are blind, deliver a variety of products and services, including a full-service Warehousing and Distribution Center, confidential Digital Data Scan (DDS) services for private businesses and government and the operation of Base Supply Centers located at each of Arizona’s three military bases under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Labor’s AbilityOne program.

Follow AIFB on LinkedIn and Facebook.