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Monday 8am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm Thursday 8am - 4:30pm Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland

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Baltimore, MD
Blind Industries and Services of Maryland

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For over 100 years, Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) has been changing blind and low vision people’s lives for the better.

BISM offers comprehensive education, rehabilitation and training programs along with diverse employment opportunities for blind people in the Greater Baltimore area. Unemployment among the blind is around 70%, and we work tirelessly to fix that. BISM provides diverse career opportunities to over 650 associates (the majority of whom are blind), in everything from customer service to manufacturing. In addition to employment opportunities, BISM offers nationally-recognized rehabilitation and independence training programs. Our programs are free to Maryland residents and are designed to teach blind people of all ages how to be self-sufficient and how to succeed at home, in school, and in the workplace. We have an uncompromising belief in the capabilities of people who are blind and every day we see that belief borne out in the accomplishments of our associates and students. Purpose
We positively change people’s attitudes about blindness. Mission
To provide stable career opportunities, innovative rehabilitation programs, quality products and services, and to develop resources for training and education. Vision
Our organization is an internationally recognized leader whose associates provide evolving opportunities for blind people and others.

10/31/2026

Wishing you a spooktacular Halloween!

10/29/2026

How many people does it take to make a ream of copy paper? At BISM, three.

Copy paper isn't made on a traditional line. Most of the line is automated, so our team is cross-trained to run multiple operations and knows the machine inside and out.

That’s lean manufacturing. We don’t staff a line just to fill spots. Every person is there because the product needs them. No busywork, just skilled work that matters.

10/28/2026

October is an important month for the blind community. With Blindness Awareness Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and White Cane Safety Day on October 15, we have several opportunities to bring attention to the abilities, achievements, and contributions of individuals who are blind.

At Blind Industries & Services of Maryland (BISM), however, these aren’t conversations we have just once a year. Employment, training, and education are at the heart of what we do every day. While this work is part of our daily routine, awareness months like October remind us that there is still much work to be done in changing perceptions and creating opportunities.

The reality is that employment remains one of the greatest challenges facing the blind community. An estimated 70% of working-age blind adults are underemployed or not employed. This is a statistic that should concern all of us, especially when we know firsthand the skills, talents, and abilities that blind individuals bring to the workforce.

At BISM, we see the value of meaningful employment every day. On our manufacturing floors, blind Associates produce everything from military jackets to essential office supplies. Across our organization, individuals who are blind contribute their talents, build careers, and demonstrate that blindness does not determine someone’s ability to succeed.

But employment is only part of the story. Through our Independence Training and Rehabilitation programs, we provide individuals with the tools, training, and confidence to live independently, pursue higher education, and prepare for meaningful careers. Whether someone is learning to travel independently with a white cane, developing technology skills, or preparing to enter the workforce, each accomplishment represents another step toward greater independence.

This is why October matters. It gives us an opportunity to share these stories beyond the walls of BISM, challenge misconceptions about blindness, and remind employers and communities that opportunity should be based on ability, not eyesight.

As we recognize these important awareness months, I encourage everyone to help us carry this message forward. Share what you know about BISM, introduce someone to our mission, or encourage a business to consider the talents of blind job seekers.

At BISM, our commitment to employment, training, and independence doesn’t end when October does. It’s what we do every day, and it’s a message worth sharing throughout Maryland and beyond.

10/27/2026

Corporate America is built around assumptions on how things must be done. BISM trains people to perform tasks the same way, and that leaves little room for imagining how the same result might be achieved differently.

When these assumptions rear their heads in hiring processes, they can prevent qualified blind individuals from getting the job. Instead, let’s shift to a model that focuses on function and contribution rather than assumption.

https://bism.org/news-resources/faq/perspectives/2026ndeam/

10/22/2026

The latest issue of the Compass Newsletter is out! We’ve got an update from our CEO and president, a recap of our golf tournament last month, and more!

If you’re not already subscribed to our newsletter, what are you waiting for? https://bism.org/newsletter-signup/

10/20/2026

Every BISM program is free to the people we serve — because of donors like you.

Your monthly support as a Visionary Circle member helps cover the real costs behind the scenes. And your gift makes sure no one is turned away.

Ready to see what your giving can do? https://bit.ly/BISMmonthly

10/15/2026

What a day! 🦯 We had so much fun celebrating White Cane Safety Day with our community walk. Thank you to everyone who came out, walked with us, and made it such a joyful, energizing afternoon.

Every October 15, White Cane Safety Day recognizes the white cane as a symbol of independence, mobility, and confidence for people who are blind or have low vision. It’s been observed nationally since 1964, and today it’s also recognized as Blind Americans Equality Day.

A quick reminder for drivers and pedestrians: when you see someone using a white cane, give them the right of way. White cane laws across the country require drivers to yield. A little awareness goes a long way toward safer streets for everyone.

Thanks again to all who joined us.

10/14/2026

At BISM, we’re proud to champion employment opportunities for the blind and low-vision community. Not only do we prepare blind and low-vision individuals to nimbly enter the workforce, we offer an inclusive, accessible workplace for our employees.

160 of our 500+ associates are blind, with 12 taking on leadership roles — making us one of the largest employers of blind and low-vision individuals in the State of Maryland.

Together, we’re breaking down barriers and creating a future where everyone thrives.

10/13/2026

This month on Beyond Sight, host Qualik Ford is joined by Heather Harris, HR Manager, and Kariza Herbert, Talent and Culture Manager, for a conversation on what it takes to hire blind and low-vision employees. They delve into the gap between compliance-driven accommodation and genuinely inclusive hiring practices.

From job postings and interview processes to onboarding and retention, Heather and Kariza bring the HR perspective on what employers still misunderstand about blindness in the workplace.

🎧Listen now on your favorite podcast streamer.🎧

https://bism.org/newsroom/podcasts/

10/08/2026

For Shaniya Harcum, the experience of graduating BISM’s Comprehensive Orientation Rehabilitation and Empowerment (CORE) program was much like that of a flower blooming. Before completing the program, Shaniya felt sheltered by her family, who were fiercely protective of her. After the program, Shaniya discovered a whole new world, blossoming with new skills and a clear pathway to independence.

Learn more about Shaniya’s experience at BISM at our most recent blog: https://bism.org/news-resources/people/meet-shaniya-harcum-in-full-bloom/.

Address

3345 Washington Boulevard
Baltimore, MD
21227

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8am - 4:30pm
Friday	8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+14107372600

Website

https://www.bism.org/donate

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