We are thrilled to step into 2025, as it represents a huge milestone for CLB. Established in 1900, this year marks 125 of CLB’s work in the Washington, DC community. To celebrate, throughout the year, we will share “125 Reasons We Love CLB.” From testimonials, to programs, to fun history about how far we’ve come, we are eager to share the life change of this organization over the past 125 years. If you have a reason you love CLB that you’d like to share, please DM us. Now is the time to share what CLB has meant to you! Here’s to 125 more!
About us
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind (CLB) is a private, not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization providing programs, services, training, and employment for those who are blind or visually impaired in the Washington DC area since 1900. Our mission is to provide employment opportunities to people who are visually impaired and blind in the delivery of services to the Federal Government and commercial enterprises. During its long history, CLB has provided consistent, quality products to military and federal customers and has helped thousands of people who are blind achieve economic independence through employment. CLB has over 10 years of experience in delivering services to the Federal Government. We are a competitively priced service provider, committed to quality and providing outstanding customer service. We are an AbilityOne agency through the National Industries for the Blind. CLB maintains an active Facility Security Clearance and employee Personnel Security Clearance through the Department of Defense’s Defense Security Services (DSS). Services provide to government agencies and commercial entities include but are not limited to: • Administrative Services • Assistive Technology Services • Braille Production Services • Document Imaging Services • Mail Center Services • Telephone Answering Services • Help Desk Support • Alternate Formatting Center • Vocational Rehabilitation Services • Section 508 Assurance Services
- Website
-
http://www.clb.org
External link for Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind
- Industry
- Non-profit Organizations
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- Washington, DC
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 1900
- Specialties
- Digital Document Scanning, Government Services, Blindness Specialties, Low Vision Exams, Vision Loss Aids, Adaptive Technologies, Mobile Eye Care, and Loss of Sight
Locations
-
Primary
Get directions
1825 K Street NW
Suite 1103
Washington, DC 20006, US
-
Get directions
8757 Georgia Avenue
Suite 804
Silver Spring, MD 20910, US
Employees at Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind
Updates
-
In our latest episode of Where Are We Now?, we are honored to share Parisa's inspiring journey. After moving to the U.S. from Iran, Parisa faced the daunting challenges of adapting to a new country, a new language, and life with vision loss. Through Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind’s assistive technology training program, she embraced tools like JAWS and TypeAbility, learned mobility skills, and even began cooking for her family with confidence. Parisa’s determination to push past obstacles and build a life of independence is truly remarkable. She says, “I want to be a part of this society. I don’t want to be isolated.” Her hard work and the support of our dedicated instructors, like Peter, have helped her achieve her goals. Watch Parisa’s full testimony and learn more about the life-changing impact of assistive technology: https://lnkd.in/e8H45vKP #Inspiration #AssistiveTechnology #Inclusion #JAWS #Empowerment #WhereAreWeNow #CLB
-
It’s Giving Tuesday! Would you consider getting involved with our mission? Learn more at clb.org.
-
-
CLB’s rehabilitation team delivers multiple services within an innovative program called Foundations of Adjustment to Blindness (FAB). These services include orientation and mobility, assistive technology training, and independent living skills. The weeklong FAB course is held monthly at our independent living center, with a full apartment and kitchen for teaching daily living skills and an assistive technology lab for computer training classes. Here is how a recent FAB graduate’s wife describes the impact the program had on their life: “I want to thank the entire CLB staff of Montgomery County for the training provided to my husband. Everyone at CLB was wonderful, helpful and friendly to both of us from the start. This was a new experience, and we were at a loss. Before the CLB classes, my husband was feeling hopeless and had no direction in life. After attending your classes, he is very confident now that he can do things for himself. With the technology training, he can now communicate with friends, listen to music, news, etc., via cell phone. The mobility and dependability training provided him with the ability to navigate around the house, wash clothes and do some light cooking. He also feels more confident going outside. I feel more confident in leaving him at home by himself knowing that he is now able to fend for himself. We appreciate the training your organization provided. Best wishes to everyone at CLB.” –AP, CLB Consumer
-
-
It is the season of giving thanks, and we have a lot of thanks to give. 💜 To our consumers - Thank you for trusting us through your deep valleys, thank you for your belief in a great life, and thank you for never giving up. 💜 To our partners - Thank you for your work to make the world a more accessible place where individuals with disabilities can not only survive, but thrive. 💜 To our Board of Directors and Advisory Board - Thank you for helping us be the best we can be. Your invaluable contributions help us reach for excellence every day. 💜 To our employees - Thank you for choosing to invest your days building a future of independence for all. Every client testimonial, every success story is made possible because you show up, even when it’s hard. 💜 And to YOU - Thank you to our network, our support system, our followers. Whether you’re ingesting our message for the first time or you’ve been around for a while, thank you for helping us spread a message of hope. Losing your vision does not mean losing your life. Thank you to everyone who helps us carry the message of hope for life after vision loss. We carry that hope together and, for that, we are thankful. 🙏🏼 Amy Schabacker Dufrane, Ed.D., SPHR, CAE, Cecelia Royster, Shawn Callaway, William F Deegan III, MD, Robert Irvin, accessiBe, Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP, RightHear, iHeartRadio, National Industries for the Blind, Healthcare Initiative Foundation, The White House, Eileen Whelan, Comcast Newsmakers, WTOP News, U.S. AbilityOne Commission, Waymap 🙏🏼
-
-
“Three months into retirement, I experienced a rare condition and became legally blind with low vision. Becoming blind was the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced. Being able to have the resources of CLB to help me has been critical to my ability to adjust to blindness and be able to thrive in life. I can’t thank CLB enough for all the work that it does for the blind and low vision community and what it has done for me personally.” - Bob Irvin, CLB Consumer and CLB Board of Director Bob has been a fierce advocate for CLB since first being introduced, and we were grateful to have him speak at the recent MMM Cheers event, benefitting CLB.
-
-
Earlier this month, CLB was honored to be the nonprofit beneficiary of this year’s MMM Cheers event. Hosted by Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP, the event raised $26,265 for CLB! We are grateful to each and every person who supported this fantastic event!
-
-
We are thrilled to share that Episode 4 of our podcast collaboration with accessiBe is now live on Youtube! You can watch the video with Jason Birnbaum here: https://lnkd.in/eUSbK2vV
-
-
A special recognition and memories shared at MMM Cheers! Thank you Washington Business Journal and Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP!
Thanks to Washington Business Journal for highlighting Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind's special honor by Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP at MMM Cheers!