SC Commission for the Blind
The South Carolina Commission for the Blind is a state government agency providing vocational rehabilitation, independent living, and blindness prevention services to South Carolina residents who are blind or low vision.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1966
- HeadquartersColumbia, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What SC Commission for the Blind does
The South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB) is a state government agency established in 1966 by South Carolina legislative enactment, operating from its headquarters at 1430 Confederate Avenue in Columbia. SCCB provides vocational rehabilitation, independent living, blindness prevention, and assistive technology services to South Carolina residents who are blind or have low vision. Its service portfolio spans Vocational Rehabilitation, Youth Services for ages 3–24, Older Blind Services for consumers 55 and over, Prevention Services offering financial assistance for sight-saving procedures, the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) operating under the federal Randolph-Sheppard Act of 1936, Rehabilitation Technology, a residential Training Center on the Columbia campus, Disability Benefits Counseling, DeafBlind Services, and Employer Services. The agency employs 51–100 staff and operates offices throughout the state alongside 61 licensed vendors running 83 vending facilities in federal, state, and municipal properties.
SCCB's technology stack is centered on third-party assistive technology rather than proprietary software development. Documented capabilities include the JAWS (Job Access with Speech) screen reader, ZoomText screen magnification, digital braille displays, optical aids, and non-optical aids covering lighting, contrast, positioning, and tactile or auditory support. The agency does not publish APIs, SDKs, or proprietary platforms; api_details is explicitly false. Services are delivered through in-person case management at regional offices, residential and day training at the Columbia Training Center, and employer-supported placements across South Carolina. Intake is primarily referral-based, sourced from physicians, family members, community organizations, educators, and partner agencies, with no consumer-facing mobile or web application product offered.
Revenue is grant-funded rather than commercially generated. In federal fiscal year 2024, SCCB received $9,224,685 (78.7% federal) plus $2,496,643 (21.3% state/local) for Vocational Rehabilitation Services, $507,672 (90% federal) plus $56,408 (10% state/local) for Older Blind Services, and $39,000 in Supported Employment grants, with primary federal funding flowing from the US Department of Education's Rehabilitation Services Administration. Services are provided at no cost or reduced cost to eligible consumers based on financial need. GTM motion is sales-led and community-led: a referral-driven intake feeds individualized plans for employment, while partnerships with the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina, SC Works, Able South Carolina, and South Carolina Talking Book Services extend reach.
SC Commission for the Blind firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SC Commission for the Blind
- Legal name
- South Carolina Commission for the Blind
- Website
- https://sccb.sc.gov
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1966
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- The South Carolina Commission for the Blind is a state government agency providing vocational rehabilitation, independent living, and blindness prevention services to South Carolina residents who are blind or low vision.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SC Commission for the Blind industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Individual and Family Services (6241), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Assistive Technology (AT) & AAC Services (EDAJAKAF)
Keywords
Where SC Commission for the Blind is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Columbia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
SC Commission for the Blind business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Federal Grants: Primary funding from US Department of Education grants. Vocational Rehabilitation Services received $9,224,685 (78.7%) federal funds in FFY2024. Older Blind Services received $507,672 (90%) federal funds. Supported Employment grants totaling $39,000.
- State Funding: State, local, and non-governmental sources supplement federal funding. State funds cover 21.3% of Vocational Rehabilitation ($2,496,643) and 10% of Older Blind Services ($56,408) in FFY2024.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
SC Commission for the Blind product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SC Commission for the Blind (SCCB) is a South Carolina state government agency that delivers vocational rehabilitation, independent living, youth transition, older blind, and prevention-of-blindness services to residents who are blind or have low vision. Services include individualized employment counseling, training, assistive technology, benefits counseling, and a Business Enterprise Program that trains legally blind individuals to operate vending facilities on government property under the Randolph-Sheppard Act.
Product overview
SC Commission for the Blind is a state government agency providing a comprehensive portfolio of rehabilitation and support services for South Carolina residents who are blind or low vision. The organization operates as a unified service delivery model centered on Vocational Rehabilitation as the core program, supplemented by specialized services including Youth Services (for children ages 3-12 and transition-aged youth 13-24), Older Blind Services (for those 55+), Prevention Services (financial assistance for eye surgeries), Business Enterprise Program (vending business training under Randolph-Sheppard Act), Rehabilitation Technology (assistive devices and training including JAWS and ZoomText), Training Center (on-campus skills training), Disability Benefits Counseling, DeafBlind Services, and Employer Services. These services work together to support consumers from early intervention through employment and independent living.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 61 licensed vendors operating 83 vending facilities statewide
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use SC Commission for the Blind
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
SC Commission for the Blind technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
SC Commission for the Blind partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Randolph-Sheppard ActcoreFederal legislation enacted in 1936 giving preference to people who are legally blind for operation of vending and concession services on government properties. Establishes the legal framework for SCCB's Business Enterprise Program.
- SC Department of Public Safety (SCDPS)coreSCDPS hosts The Market vending facility operated by licensed SCCB vendor Willie Patrick, serving SCDPS headquarters employees and visitors. Partnership enables employment of visually impaired individual and provides convenient services to government employees.
- SC Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV)coreSCDMV headquarters shares a location with SCDPS at Blythewood where SCCB vendor operates The Market, providing food and beverage services to DMV customers and employees.
- National Federation of the Blind of South CarolinacoreSCCB partners with NFB of SC on initiatives including Children's Summer Camp, Successor Transition programs, and advocacy for blind individuals. The organization's advocacy led to the creation of SCCB in 1966.
- SC WorkscoreSC Works provides workforce development resources and job search assistance referenced as a resource for SCCB consumers and employers.
- Able South CarolinaminorConsumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability nonprofit providing independent living services. Listed as a resource for SCCB consumers.
- Bon Secours Mercy HealthminorHealthcare employer that hired SCCB consumer Jacob Johnson as Emergency Management Coordinator, demonstrating successful employment placement.
- Katie & Irwin Kahn Jewish Community CenterminorJCC employs SCCB consumer Michael Cooper as Fitness Associate and Massage Therapist, providing competitive integrated employment.
- Homeless No MoreminorNonprofit organization that hired BRIDGE program graduate Shanadria Rush as Family Support Specialist, providing on-the-job training placement.
- Midlands CenterminorOperated by SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, employs SCCB consumer Shanadria Rush as Direct Support Professional.
- South Carolina Talking Book ServicesminorFree braille and talking book library service for people with low vision or blindness. SCCB refers consumers to this service.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SC Commission for the Blind competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- American Foundation for the Blind (AFB): National nonprofit focused on research, public policy, and resources for blind individuals; complementary to SCCB's service delivery through referrals and policy advocacy rather than direct competition.
- National Federation of the Blind (NFB): National advocacy and affiliate organization that has partnered with SCCB since 1966 on summer camps, transition programs, and policy; not a service provider but closely aligned ecosystem participant.
Emerging players
- Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Distance-learning nonprofit offering free braille, technology, and independent living courses that partially overlap with SCCB's Training Center curriculum; complements rather than competes with state VR programs.
Direct peers
- Texas Workforce Commission - Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind: State agency operating a separate blind VR program under the same federal Rehabilitation Act Title I framework as SCCB, with a much larger population base but identical service categories and Randolph-Sheppard BEP.
- Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI): Sister state agency providing vocational rehabilitation, independent living, and Business Enterprise Program services to blind Virginians under the same Randolph-Sheppard framework. Closest functional peer given parallel statutory structure, program mix, and federal funding model.
- Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency: State VR entity serving blind and other disability populations in Georgia with analogous federal grant funding and individualized plan for employment delivery model.
- North Carolina Division of Services for the Blind: Adjacent state agency within the same federal Region IV offering VR, older blind independent living, and BEP vending services; comparable mandate, customer base, and funding mix to SCCB.
Regional players
- National Industries for the Blind (NIB): National nonprofit that partners with state BEP programs (including SC) to supply products and contracts for blind-operated facilities; comparable mission around employment and Randolph-Sheppard, but operating as a national hub rather than a single state agency.
- Able South Carolina: SC-based cross-disability independent living nonprofit that operates as a referral partner and partially overlapping service provider for disability populations in the same geography.
Broad incumbents
- Lighthouse Guild: National nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, behavioral health, and assistive technology services across multiple states; broader portfolio than SCCB but overlapping AT training and independent living offerings.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SC Commission for the Blind social profiles
Digital presenceSC Commission for the Blind financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SC Commission for the Blind leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
SC Commission for the Blind funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SC Commission for the Blind M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SC Commission for the Blind
What does SC Commission for the Blind do?
SC Commission for the Blind (SCCB) is a South Carolina state government agency that delivers vocational rehabilitation, independent living, youth transition, older blind, and prevention-of-blindness services to residents who are blind or have low vision. Services include individualized employment counseling, training, assistive technology, benefits counseling, and a Business Enterprise Program that trains legally blind individuals to operate vending facilities on government property under the Randolph-Sheppard Act.
Is SC Commission for the Blind a public or private company?
SC Commission for the Blind is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was SC Commission for the Blind founded?
SC Commission for the Blind was founded in 1966. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is SC Commission for the Blind based?
SC Commission for the Blind is headquartered in Columbia, United States, in the North America region.
How does SC Commission for the Blind make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Federal Grants are the primary driver. The others are state Funding.
Who are SC Commission for the Blind's main competitors?
Others on record are American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and National Federation of the Blind (NFB). Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Texas Workforce Commission - Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind, Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI), Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency and North Carolina Division of Services for the Blind. Regional players are National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and Able South Carolina. Lighthouse Guild is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does SC Commission for the Blind have an API?
No public API is recorded for SC Commission for the Blind.
What industry is SC Commission for the Blind in?
SC Commission for the Blind's product category is Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAKAF, Assistive Technology (AT) & AAC Services. Its NAICS code is 62412 and its SIC code is 8200.