South Texas/Austin Lighthouse for the Blind

What South Texas/Austin Lighthouse for the Blind does

South Texas/Austin Lighthouse for the Blind, legally the Travis Association for the Blind, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1934 and headquartered in Austin, Texas. The organization operates a dual mission model: providing employment, vocational rehabilitation, adaptive technology training, orientation and mobility services, and low vision care to blind and visually impaired individuals across Central Texas, while running commercial-scale manufacturing and logistics operations that employ approximately 200 of its 400+ total staff who are blind or visually impaired.

Its commercial operations span AbilityOne manufacturing of military goods (apparel, hygiene products, uniform items) for federal agencies, third-party logistics for the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support and commercial partners, hand hygiene product distribution through the GOJO-SKILCRAFT partnership, and e-commerce retail through ShopAustin.org, the on-site Low Vision Store, and the BlindSpot Pets dog collar brand. The organization operates a 450,000 sq ft unified Austin facility combined with Taylor, Texas warehouse space, for roughly 1 million sq ft total, equipped with Manhattan SCALE WMS, Fetch Robotics autonomous mobile robots, and accessible tools such as RF guns, Bluetooth headsets, blind-operated turret trucks, JAWS screenreading, and ZoomText magnification.

Revenue is generated through a mix of federal AbilityOne contracts, 3PL service fees, retail e-commerce sales, corporate and individual donations, event fundraising (including the 2025 Beacon Cup Golf Tournament), and grants such as the Microsoft-sponsored accessible Pearson VUE Certification Testing Center. The organization is ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 certified and partners with AbilityOne, National Industries for the Blind, Pearson VUE, Manhattan Associates, Fetch Robotics (Zebra Technologies), GOJO Industries, and CapMetro to deliver accessibility-led employment at scale.

Name

South Texas/Austin Lighthouse for the Blind

Legal name

Travis Association for the Blind

Website

https://austinlighthouse.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1934

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

South Texas/Austin Lighthouse for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1934 in Austin, Texas, employing 400+ people (200+ blind/visually impaired) across AbilityOne military manufacturing, 3PL logistics, e-commerce retail, and rehabilitation services for the blind community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Rehabilitation and Disability Employment Services

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Deaf/Hard of Hearing & Vision Services (Audiology, Interpreting, Orientation & Mobility) (EDAJAKAI), Computer Access & Alternative Input (Switch, Eye Gaze, Head/Mouse, Keyboards) (EDAKAIAD)

Keywords

• Vocational rehabilitation services
• Third-party logistics
• Military apparel manufacturing
• Low vision retail
• Disability employment programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts (AbilityOne): Manufacturing and supplying military goods including apparel, hygiene products, and uniform items to federal government through AbilityOne program partnerships.
2. Third-Party Logistics (3PL): Warehousing, order fulfillment, inventory management, and shipping services for business partners including DLA Troop Support.
3. E-commerce Retail Sales: Business supply sales through ShopAustin.org, adaptive product sales through Low Vision Store, and specialty products like BlindSpot Pets dog collars.
4. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships, event fundraising through Beacon Cup Golf Tournament and community events.
5. Government Grants: Career development grants from corporations like Microsoft for certification testing center.

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Austin Lighthouse for the Blind (Travis Association for the Blind) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers employment, vocational training, and adaptive technology services to blind and visually impaired individuals in Central Texas. It sustains these mission services through commercial operations: military goods manufacturing (apparel, hygiene products, uniform items) under the AbilityOne Program, third-party logistics and warehousing for federal/commercial partners, and retail outlets operating ShopAustin.org (business supplies), the Low Vision Store (adaptive products), and BlindSpot Pets (dog collars).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Career Services and Vocational Support Vocational rehabilitation, employment coaching, career placement, and long-term support services for blind and visually impaired individuals across Travis County and surrounding areas of Central Texas.
• Adaptive Technology Training Hands-on training in screen readers (JAWS), magnification (ZoomText), and other assistive technologies to enable blind and visually impaired individuals to use computers and perform jobs independently.
• Independent Living Skills Training Training in daily living skills such as personal management, home management, communication, and self-advocacy for blind and visually impaired individuals.
• Orientation and Mobility Services White cane training, route planning, and safe navigation instruction for blind and visually impaired individuals to travel independently in community settings.
• Complete Low Vision Care Clinic On-site low vision clinic offering evaluations, prescriptions, and adaptive device fittings to help blind and low-vision patients maximize remaining sight.
• Military Goods Manufacturing (SKILCRAFT) Manufacturing of military apparel, hygiene products, and uniform items under the AbilityOne Program for federal government customers including the U.S. military, with employees who are blind or visually impaired supported throughout the production process.
• Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Warehousing and Distribution Warehousing, inventory management, order fulfillment, and shipping services for commercial and government clients, including a 3PL partnership with Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support under Manhattan SCALE warehouse management system with Fetch Robotics autonomous mobile robots.
• ShopAustin.org Business Supply Store E-commerce storefront selling office and business supplies shipped from over 30 U.S. distribution centers, with free shipping on orders over $50.
• Low Vision Store On-site accessibility-focused retail store offering large-print, braille, and vibration-based items for blind and low-vision customers; open Monday-Friday by appointment.
• BlindSpot Pets Dog Collars Online storefront for durable dog collars with personality; supports employment for Texans with visual impairments.
• GOJO-SKILCRAFT Hand Hygiene Solutions Hand hygiene and skincare products produced in partnership with GOJO Industries and supplied to federal, state, and local end users including the U.S. military under the AbilityOne program.
• Accessible Certification Testing Center (Pearson VUE) On-site Pearson VUE authorized testing center with JAWS screenreading and ZoomText magnification software permanently installed to deliver accessible certification exams (Microsoft, Cisco, Salesforce, and others) to blind and visually impaired candidates.

Quantifiable outcome

• 400+ employees with 200+ blind/visually impaired workers
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Troop SupportcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2026Third-Party Logistics (3PL) partner supporting DLA Troop Support's mission to maintain optimal readiness and deliver uninterrupted support to the Warfighter. Austin Lighthouse hosts audit readiness visits with DLA representatives.
• Truist BankminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 October 2025Lead sponsor of inaugural Beacon Cup Golf Tournament supporting employment opportunities for blind and visually impaired.
• Marsh McLennanminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 October 2025Lead sponsor of inaugural Beacon Cup Golf Tournament.
• Leif Johnson FordminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 October 2025Sponsor of inaugural Beacon Cup Golf Tournament.
• Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 September 2024Partnership for White Cane Day celebrations; internship program for TSBVI students to receive hands-on work experience at Austin Lighthouse.
• Fetch Robotics (Zebra Technologies)coreTechnology or Integration · 15 December 2022Introduced four autonomous mobile robots to warehouse space enabling blind workers to operate alongside automation. Reduced travel time and increased productivity.
• Manhattan AssociatescoreTechnology or Integration · 15 December 2022Implemented Manhattan SCALE Warehouse Management System to empower visually impaired workforce with advanced logistics technology.
• Pearson VUEcoreTechnology or Integration · 20 October 2022Only authorized Pearson VUE test center in the area dedicated to providing accessible testing experiences. Only non-Pearson-owned testing center with JAWS permanently installed.
• MicrosoftcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 April 2022Provided $10,000 career development grant for accessible certification testing center. Sponsorship of Pearson VUE testing center with JAWS and ZoomText permanently installed for blind and visually impaired test-takers.
• AbilityOnecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal program established by Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act enabling agencies serving people who are blind to manufacture and sell products to the Federal government. Helps nearly 50,000 people who are blind or have other severe disabilities find employment.
• National Industries for the Blind (NIB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNation's largest employment resource for people who are blind. Austin Lighthouse honored with 2023 Employment Growth Award. Hosts quarterly meetings with NIB President Soraya Correa.
• National Association for the Employment of People Who Are Blind (NAEPB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide service, support, and employment opportunities to blind and visually impaired citizens.
• Work Quest (Texas Workforce Commission)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTexas Workforce Commission program supporting employment of people with disabilities.
• Works Wonders (Texas Workforce Commission)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTexas Workforce Commission purchasing program for products from agencies employing people with disabilities.
• GOJO IndustriescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership to provide skincare products to federal, state, and local end users including U.S. military and government agencies through AbilityOne program. Creates additional employment and training opportunities.
• CapMetrominorGTM or Marketing PartnerCapMetro's Pickup service provides on-demand transit for Austin Lighthouse employees at two Pickup stop locations. Over 200 requests received since January 2024.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Industries for the Blind (NIB): The nation's largest employment resource for people who are blind and the umbrella network that Austin Lighthouse partners with through the AbilityOne program. NIB coordinates federal contracting and business management training across associated nonprofit agencies serving blind individuals.
• Chicago Lighthouse: Similar multi-program nonprofit serving people who are blind with employment, manufacturing, and social services. Operates AbilityOne contracts and offers comparable vocational and low vision services in the Chicago region.
• Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired (San Francisco): West Coast Lighthouse organization providing employment, training, and assistive technology services to blind and visually impaired individuals, with overlapping mission programs and AbilityOne participation.
• Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Midwest nonprofit agency providing employment, rehabilitation, and adaptive technology services to blind and visually impaired individuals, with a comparable multi-program service model and AbilityOne participation.

Regional players

• Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind: Another Texas-based Lighthouse organization serving blind and visually impaired individuals through employment, manufacturing, and rehabilitation services, operating in a different metropolitan region of the same state.
• Lighthouse of Houston: Houston-based Lighthouse providing employment services, manufacturing, and rehabilitation programs for blind individuals, comparable to Austin Lighthouse but serving a different Texas geography.

Broad incumbents

• Goodwill Industries International: Larger and broader social enterprise operating similar employment-focused mission services for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment, with extensive retail and workforce development operations across the U.S.
• Easterseals: Major national nonprofit providing disability services including employment support, accessibility services, and rehabilitation across a wider disability population than blind-only providers like Austin Lighthouse.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC0YSXMHcksnpBqsArD9WayQ/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/AustinLighthouse
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/austinlighthouse
• Instagraminstagram.com/austinlighthouse/?hl=en
• Xx.com/austinlighthous

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about South Texas/Austin Lighthouse for the Blind