BSC, BISM provide job, training opportunities for blind employees

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a national campaign that raises awareness and celebrates the many and varied contributions of workers with disabilities. Two APG office supply stores provide employment opportunities for blind and disabled employees and help fund life and job skills training for blind individuals.

The AbilityOne Base Supply Center (originally known as Office Eagle) on APG North (Aberdeen) employs eight disabled employees and the APG South (Edgewood) store employs two. The AbilityOne Base Supply Center, or BSC, sells a wide range of SKILCRAFT office supplies, which are made by blind and disabled Americans.

"Without our loyal customers we wouldn't be able to employ blind and disabled employees," APG North BSC store manager Barry Councill said.

In addition, proceeds from BSC's sales go to support Blind Industries and Services of Maryland. BISM offers job and life skills training to blind adults, senior citizens and youths. Instructors teach everything from Braille to cane travel, computer technology, and home cooking. The youth program provides vocational training and college preparation courses, and members go on social outings and trips.

"Just having a chance to socialize, be with other blind kids that are going through the same thing, that is a big deal for them," said BISM Communications Specialist Rob Ennamorato. "This is usually their first time away from their Families."

"BISM's motto is, we change people's attitudes about blindness," said BSC Marketing Manager Rene Alonso. "Individuals going through the program learn that it is okay to be blind. They gain confidence and learn important life skills from their mentors, their instructors. Most of the instructors are blind themselves, this gives credibility to our program."

The residential program, called CORE, is a free intensive eight-month program for blind adults. The program teaches them a broad range of skills and techniques and shows them how to live independently. While enrolled in the CORE program, students reside at the Life Skills Residential Center, located in downtown Baltimore, where they acquire the necessary skills to do their own shopping, prepare their own meals, clean their own apartments and more.

"It is a challenging program; about five to ten blind individuals graduate a year," Ennamorato said. "By the time they graduate they are basically independent and have the confidence to be successful in all aspects of their life."

Ennamorato said the program builds as the student progresses. One requirement for graduation is that students must shop and prepare a large meal for 20 people. Another graduation requirement is that students must travel out of town by themselves, u

"Some even travel by plane, to faraway destinations like Florida or Texas," Ennamorato said.

In addition to training, BISM employs more than 450 associates at 12 facilities located in Maryland, Delaware, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Washington, D.C. BISM manufactures more than 150 high quality products for state, federal, and private customers. These products include military uniforms, cleaning supplies, custom bottled water and paper pads.

For more information call the APG North BSC at 410-297-4950 and APG South BSC at 410-676-0564.