Vibrant Works

Vibrant Works is a San Antonio-based nonprofit, founded in 1933 and originally known as the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind and Vision Impaired. It employs about 450 people, nearly half of whom are blind or vision impaired. The organisation combines rehabilitation and training services with a substantial social enterprise: a certified manufacturing and distribution operation that supplies federal and retail customers through the AbilityOne programme.

The manufacturing side is of particular note for those with defence and logistics backgrounds. The operation is ISO 9001 and AS9100 certified and produces military apparel, helmet chin straps, general textile products, spill kits, absorbent products and KC-135 cargo plane floorboards. Alongside this, Vibrant Works distributes more than 50,000 products - including office supplies - through AbilityOne stores and an online marketplace, and provides supply-chain, furniture installation and interior design services. Relevant technical domains include manufacturing and quality systems, supply-chain and distribution operations, and federal procurement.

The service arm covers assistive technology training, low vision services, independent living assistance and falls-prevention programmes, serving adults, seniors, children and young adults. Work is carried out in San Antonio, with federal customers reached nationwide. The organisation describes the workplace itself as central to its mission of providing skilled employment for people with vision loss.