In 1926 a group of concerned citizens here in Mobile started the Mobile Association for the Blind to create job opportunities for people who were blind. Our first location was a small wooden house at 510 Conti Street (1926-1932). Local folks who were blind gathered there to work at making or doing various hand crafts. They repaired cane bottomed/backed chairs, made fishing nets, household mops, various types of baskets and other items.
Those small beginnings have developed into a 43,000 square foot manufacturing facility where many sensory impaired individuals who prefer (rather than join the public workforce at this time) are employed in our Sheltered Workshop. Our organization also provides assistance to citizens with other types of vocational disabilities. Counseling and evaluation, skills training, independent living classes, and job placement are just some of the services we may be involved in to help individuals develop the skills and self esteem to become successful and independent within the industrial workforce. Over the years, many individuals have chosen to work for Mobile Association for the Blind; some briefly and some for long periods (We have an employee who has been with us for 59 years!). Many of our employees/consumers have taken advantage of our vocational services and have successfully entered the competitive workforce.
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Sheltered Workshop
Many products for home and business use, from plastic bags produced on our state-of-the-art machinery, to items produced at other similar facilities around the country, are available. By maintaining our goal to keep your assurance of quality at the highest level, customers can be assured that they will enjoy the use of our products -- and, purchases help to preserve an independent way of life for many individuals with disabilities.
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Independent Living Classes
All consumers of Mobile Association for the Blind receive an individualized program of care and training designed to meet their needs. From teaching the blind how to take care of their daily needs in cooking, cleaning, or mobility, (Independent living skills and Orientation/Mobility skills are currently being taught by our partner agency, Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services.) to preparing people with disabilities for fruitful endeavors in the job marketplace, the participants learn at their own pace and ability level.
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Work Adjustment Program
Our job training, work adjustment and job development/placement programs, starting in the early 1970's, have successfully prepared and placed thousands of people with local businesses and manufacturing facilities. Through our Work Adjustment Program, contracts with local businesses bring meaningful work tasks that are used for evaluation and job preparedness. Along with building a work ethic, all participants are paid according to their production levels. For those with significant disabilities, Mobile Association for the Blind offers job coaching services where individuals learn their new job with the help of a Job Coach. These services have been very successful.
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MAB Offers Job Placement Assistance In These Areas:
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- Bookkeeping
- Janitorial
- Chef / Cook
- Shipping and Receiving
- Secretarial
- Industrial Packaging
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- Sales
- Housekeeping
- Cashier / Teller
- Waiter / Waitress
- and many other career choices
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