Welcome to the Industries of the Blind web site. This site will give you access to all of the products and services that are offered, produced by our highly skilled employees, whom are blind or visually impaired.

Since our beginnings in 1933, we have focused on our mission, which is "to enhance the opportunities for people who are blind to achieve greater vocational, personal, and economic independence."

All of us at Industries of the Blind thank you for your support. We rely on our sales to generate income which in turn allows us to pay our employees competitive wages and other excellent benefits.

The products that we manufacture are of the highest quality, and meet or exceed government standards.

Congressman Melvin Watt Pays IOB A Visit!

On August 6th, 2008, North Carolina 12th District Congressman Melvin Watt visited Industries of the Blind, Inc. during his 12th annual "Trading Places" tour to meet our employees and see firsthand the quality products we produce. Betsy Thorne, IOB Executive Director, lead the facility tour pointing out key features and persons in each deaprtment.

In our Hydration Carrier area, Congressman Watt met Linwood Lynch, a 22 year employee, who instructed him on the operations of two automatic sewing machines, one to sew use and care labels and the other to sew the handle onto the hydration carrier. Both machines have been setup for blind employees to operate. The Congressman then took the time to perform both operations on several carriers.

In our Pen Department, the Congressman joined our hand pen assemblers and made several pens, keeping the ones he produced.

Industries of the Blind genuinely appreciates Congressman Watt's taking the time to visit our facility, listening to our ideas and concerns, and learning that people who are blind can be productive and vibrant contributors to our community. We hope to see him again soon.