Q&A with Beyond Vision

MMAC member Beyond Vision is a not-for-profit organization with deep Milwaukee roots that has served the visually impaired and blind community for over a century. Focused on employment opportunities and building workplace skills, Beyond Vision trains its employees within four service lines: assembly and packaging, kitting, machine shop solutions and call center service. Once trained, employees perform these roles for organizations looking to streamline specific operations.

MMAC will host a Business After Hours event from 8-10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Beyond Vision’s West Allis headquarters. Attendees will get a behind-the-scenes look at Beyond Vision’s work and an opportunity to connect with professionals from across the region.

Register here.

Beyond Vision leadership participated in the Q&A highlighted below. Their responses underscore 100 years of operations, the importance of community partnerships, success stories and the organization’s future. 

 

  • What are Beyond Vision’s greatest achievements over its 123-year history?

Over our entire history, Beyond Vision has stayed committed to the mission of creating meaningful employment opportunities for people who are blind while meeting the changing needs of the business community. From weaving mats in the 1930s to opening a machine shop in 1958, the organization has never held still or accepted limitations due to blindness.

One of our most significant recent achievements was opening the VisABILITY Center in West Allis in 2022, transforming a former Sam’s Club into a 130,000-square-foot, purpose-built workplace. The facility was designed around accessibility and safety, with defined walkways, tactile and audible wayfinding features and other elements that allow employees with vision loss to navigate and work independently. This space also represents room to grow and to serve more customers in southeastern Wisconsin.
Today, Beyond Vision combines more than a century of mission with modern manufacturing and business services, including precision machining, assembly, packaging, kitting and customer care.
  • What is the biggest benefit Beyond Vision provides to partner organizations?
Our partners aren’t choosing quality business service or social impact. Companies work with Beyond Vision because they need a dependable partner for precision machining, assembly, packaging, kitting, customer care and other services. They want to stay competitive in the marketplace, trust in a partner that provides on-time, quality products, and helps them succeed. It’s a bonus that the work they send us creates employment and career opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired. A purchasing or outsourcing decision can solve a real business need while also advancing workforce inclusion. We believe our mission makes us a better business partner.
  • If you could share one message with regional business leaders, what would it be?
We have the talent. What’s missing is the opportunity. People who are blind succeed in manufacturing, customer service, engineering, leadership and many other careers. The best thing regional business leaders can do is look beyond assumptions about disability and focus on proven capabilities. Partner with organizations like Beyond Vision. Bring us into your supply chain. Visit our facility and see what our employees do every day. Every opportunity helps demonstrate that people who are blind belong in the workforce, not on the sidelines.
  • Can you share a success story that illustrates Beyond Vision’s impact?

Andre Ellis joined Beyond Vision shortly after graduating from the Wisconsin School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in 2020. He started as a part-time employee, with the perception he was not capable of full-time work in a traditional manufacturing role.

After seeing what his co-workers who are blind were accomplishing, Andre’s confidence grew. Since his cautious start, he has become an essential team member in production. Taking the initiative to be cross trained in several areas, he now helps train other employees. Representing Beyond Vision as Employee of the Year for 2026, he has proven to himself how valuable his career is, and how unlimited his future is.

  • What are Beyond Vision’s plans for future growth?
Beyond Vision’s growth is mission focused. Creating more employment and career opportunities for people who are blind by growing the businesses that make those jobs possible. We want more businesses in southeastern Wisconsin to see Beyond Vision as part of their local supply chain. Growth for us has a multiplier effect: when our customers grow with us, we can create more opportunities for people who are blind to build careers, increase their independence and contribute their talents to our regional economy. The future holds diversification. As business changes, so do we. Expanding our offerings beyond machining, assembly, packaging, kitting and contact center services is always part of our plan!