WICHITA, Kan.—Envision is welcoming the Dallas, Texas-based Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind into the Envision family, according to an announcement from the two organizations. Operations will continue as normal in Dallas, and the Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind name will be retained, the announcement said. The merger will have positive benefits both in Texas and Kansas for individuals with vision loss who are looking for meaningful employment opportunities in high-tech and emerging fields. “The Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind is a remarkable organization that has been empowering people who are blind or visually impaired to live independently since 1931. We’ve been doing the same thing at Envision since 1933,” said Envision president and CEO Michael Monteferrante. “This merger fits perfectly into both our organization’s strategic goals to expand reach, serve more people who are blind or visually impaired and extend geographic footprints.”

One advantage of the merger is it will allow Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind to further increase its scope of services and employment—in addition to manufacturing—for the 150,000 individuals with vision loss it serves in 11 North Texas counties. Envision has launched several nationwide initiatives over the past few years to augment its manufacturing operations with opportunities for individuals with visual impairments to pursue professional, white-collar jobs that have the greatest demand for workers, particularly in the technology, health care, scientific and green fields.

“I look forward to being highly engaged in the transition process,” said Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind president and CEO Hugh McElroy, whose leadership led to the organization’s recent growth and product line diversification to include new partnerships with companies such as the New York-based Two Blind Brothers fashion line. “Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind is an extremely valuable asset to the area, and our goal is to build on the amazing things that have already been accomplished to bring an even greater quality of life to the people who depend on us most,” he said.

Currently, Envision employs nearly 400 people in 10 states, with 93 percent of its direct labor work force being blind or visually impaired. Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind, with its addition of BOLD Marketing, has more than 240 employees at six Dallas-area locations, with 75 percent of its direct labor work force being blind or visually impaired.

Envision and Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind are both associated with National Industries for the Blind, participate in their respective State Use Programs and manufacture/sell SKILCRAFT products to the federal government through the AbilityOne program, the largest source of employment opportunities for people who are blind or have a significant disability. The commonalities between the organizations are expected to help facilitate a seamless transition.

Envision promotes advocacy and independence for those who are blind or low vision. Founded in 1933, Envision is one of the largest employers of individuals with vision loss in the nation.

Founded in 1931, Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind, the leading North Texas nonprofit employing and providing resources for visually impaired individuals, focuses on improving and enhancing the lives and opportunities of individuals in North Texas affected by blindness.