Skilcraft

[1] Products made by Skilcraft are created largely by visually impaired or severely disabled individuals.

[2] In 1938, President Roosevelt signed the Wagner-O'Day Act which directed the government to purchase products manufactured by blind Americans.

[5] The National Industries for the Blind (NIB) incorporated as a nonprofit organization on August 10, 1938,[6] and was created as a result of the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act (JWOD).

[9] After World War II, the Committee on Purchases of Blind-Made Products decided that NIB should sell in commercial markets.

[12] In 1970, black blind workers went on strike at a Skilcraft plant in Greensboro, North Carolina, citing poor working conditions, discrimination and low wages.

[14] In 1971, Senator Jacob Javits introduced legislation extending the act to "individuals with other severe disabilities".

[8] The Skilcraft trade helps employ more than 5,000 blind Americans working for local agencies in 44 states.

[27] Affiliates who make the Skilcraft brand, such as Lighthouse for the Blind are able to pay their employees between $8 and $12 an hour, provide health insurance and 401(k) options.