April 21st, 2026 by Bendure
National Industries for the Blind employees Doug Goist and Charlie Mitchell never thought they would be able to play sports after losing their vision, let alone in a national competitive league. The Washington Blind Hockey Club gives them the opportunity to do just that.
Washingtonian Doug Goist lost his eyesight to a genetic disease at 30. After years as an avid ice hockey follower, he was recently approached about a Washington Blind Hockey League. Little did he know that he would quickly become the star goalie of the team.
The Washington Blind Hockey Club was founded to give those with little or no sight the ability to compete. With an adaptive puck that makes noise, a smaller net, and constant communication between teammates, players who are blind are able to play competitive hockey.
Goist and Mitchell also both work at the National Industries for the Blind (NIB). Goist works for NIB’s NSITE department, which specifically helps blind and visually impaired individuals gain employment. Goist explains “there’s nothing that you can’t do in an office and even outside the office, using different tools, to be able to continue life just like anybody else.”
Read More: Washington’s Blind Hockey Club transforms lives through sport | WUSA9.com
January 8th, 2026 by Bendure
55 years ago, National Industries for the Blind (NIB) signed a deal to produce Skilcraft pens for the government. Ever since, NIB has been employing people who are blind and giving them opportunities they most likely would not have access to otherwise.
The unemployment rate for the blind and visually impaired is around 70%, according to the nonprofit group World Services for the Blind. NIB gives people who are blind the opportunity to build a career and provide for themselves and their families.
The Skilcraft pen has not changed in the last 55 years and is used by government workers from post offices to combat front lines. This one product paved the way for the introduction of dozens of new Skilcraft products in the following decades, creating hundreds of new jobs for people who are blind.
Read more: How a signature pen has been changing lives for 5 decades – CBS News