Beyond Valuable

Local non-profit provides work to the visually impaired, talent to local business

By Ryan Amundson - Sr. Director of Communications, MMAC
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The floor at the VisABILITY Center is no different than what you might see on the floor of any other local business – employees busy packaging product, some operating light and heavy machinery.
 
There’s one distinct difference, however. The facility, a recently converted Sam’s Club now run by local non-profit Beyond Vision, is the workplace for dozens of blind and visually impaired individuals from throughout the region.
 
Beyond Vision offers a variety of services and products to both private sector organizations and government customers. While one employee might be packaging kits for the U.S. Department of Defense in one corner of the floor, a colleague might be busy with contract work for Harley Davidson in another.

In a day and age when recruiting and retaining talent is a challenge for many companies, the work being done at Beyond Vision is invaluable to its client businesses.

“We are always looking for opportunities for companies to outsource their machining, assembly or call center work to Beyond Vision,” said James Kerlin, President and CEO of Beyond Vision. “As an outsource resource, we can help alleviate a business's labor and talent shortage pain points quickly, effectively and efficiently.”

The organization strives to make every job available to those employed – today that stands at about 80 individuals at the VisABILITY Center. From adaptive technology like screen-reader software, to engineering workstation adaptations using a 3D printer, Beyond Vision uses innovation to make sure there are no barriers to opportunity. For Kerlin, who’s served in his role at the non-profit since 2007, that’s important because the mission is a personal one.

“I've experienced vision loss and total blindness among members of my own family.  Learning how people with vision loss navigate the world is impressive,” he said. “When you support people developing their confidence by having access to a career, you realize how important employment is.”

> Beyond Vision
1540 S. 108th Street
West Allis, WI 53214 
(414) 778-5800 

MMAC incoming President Dale Kooyenga got his first chance to see the operation up and running during a visit last week. He attended the facility’s groundbreaking as a state legislator two years ago.

“One of the big things we’re hearing about from members is talent shortage, and that’s going to be problem for a long time,” he said, noting the working-age population in the region will grow by only 1 percent between now and 2040. “… What I encourage businesses to do, if they can’t find the workforce to meet their needs, check out places like Beyond Vision.”

Seeing what employment can do for those working at Beyond Vision provides inspiration to Kerlin.
“This is all extremely motivating and satisfying,” he said. “We use a metaphor to describe Beyond Vision as a ‘runway.’  It’s a place to land and a place to take off in your career.  I'm very proud to say we've built a career runway and I love watching employees land and takeoff, inside and outside Beyond Vision.”

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