FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind is Prince George’s County Employer of the Year

Washington, DC, November 3, 2009 - Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind (CLB) was awarded the 2009 Prince George’s County Employer of the Year award.  This is an annual award by Prince George’s County’s Commission for Individuals with Disabilities, and this marks the first time CLB has received such an accolade.  Congressman Steny Hoyer, County Executive Jack Johnson, Patricia Morris, Director, Prince George’s County’s Department of Family Service, and Patricia Saunders, Prince George’s County’s ADA Coordinator were among those in attendance.

As an employer and service deliverer for people who are visually impaired or blind, one of CLB’s programs is Career & Assistive Technology Services, which trains adults on skills such as resume writing, interviewing, and computer navigation while using adaptive software.  Currently, CLB employs 82 people including individuals who work on the seven government contracts, for example, Andrews Air Force Base.

Earlier this year CLB was awarded a grant, from Maryland’s Department of Labor for the Base Realignment and Closure project, to recruit and train veterans who are blind or visually impaired for jobs, and this program is known as Bridge to Work.  Through the Bridge to Work program for veterans, CLB has trained and placed veterans into jobs as Document Prep personnel.

For more information on CLB’s award, please contact Jocelyn Hunter at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 202-454-6422.

CONTACT: For more information, contact Jocelyn Hunter at 202-454-6422 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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About Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind

CLB serves blind and visually impaired people of all ages in the Washington area with vision-health screenings, adaptive devices, support groups, retraining, and job counseling and placement.

17% of veterans are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with visual impairment.  CLB partners with government and private agencies to retrain and employ these wounded warriors.

For more information, please visit www.clb.org.