IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 13, 2010
Contact: Dominic Calabrese
           312/997-3662

President Obama Appoints Former Chicago Lighthouse Executive James Kesteloot
to Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind
or Severely Disabled

CHICAGO - President Obama has appointed former Chicago Lighthouse President and Executive Director James M. Kesteloot as Member, Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, the independent federal agency that administers the AbilityOne Program.

The Program's mission is to provide employment opportunities for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities in the manufacture and delivery of products and services to the federal government.  It works closely through two central nonprofit agencies, National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and NISH.   The Chicago Lighthouse is one of 89 nonprofit agencies from across the country that is associated with NIB.

"I am extremely grateful to the President for this wonderful opportunity and look forward to developing jobs for people with disabilities through the Ability One Program," Kesteloot said.
Noting that the unemployment rate for people who are blind or otherwise severely disabled hovers around 70%, he maintained that when you ask any person who is disabled what they most want, they will tell you a job.

A long-time national advocate for employment of people who are blind, Kesteloot recently retired as executive director and president of the Lighthouse after a 40-year career with the 104-year-old agency.  Under his leadership, the Lighthouse was transformed into a nationally acclaimed social service organization that’s widely respected as being among the most comprehensive in the nation.  He remains on the agency’s board of directors.

"All of us are so very proud of Jim,' said Lighthouse Board Chair William Conaghan.  "He has been a tireless crusader to expand job opportunities for people who are blind and he’ll bring that same determination, integrity and boundless energy to this post."

"Americans who are blind or otherwise severely disabled won’t find a better friend than Jim Kesteloot," added Dr. Janet Szlyk, his successor as President and Executive Director.   "He has an outstanding legacy here at the Lighthouse and will be a superb addition to the Committee."

Kesteloot’s involvement with the Lighthouse began as a child, when he received services at the agency’s Low Vision Center for his own visual impairment.  He started his career there in 1969 as a job placement counselor and served in many other capacities before assuming the top leadership post in 1996.  Among the dozens of innovative programs he unveiled were a legal clinic to assist people who are blind in combating discrimination and a call center that helped reduce the risk of identify fraud while creating several jobs for people with disabilities.

Kesteloot has extensive practical experience with issues related to the hiring of those who are blind or visually impaired.  He has consulted for many organizations and has served on numerous councils, including appointments by Illinois Governors James R. Thompson and Jim Edgar to the state Blind Services Planning Council, and an appointment by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley to his Task Force for the Employment of People with Disabilities.

Kesteloot has served on the Executive Committee of the NIB Board of Directors and was honored by NIB with the R.B. Irwin Award in recognition of his service to people who are blind.  He has also served as President of the Central Lions Club and as a member of the United Way of Chicago Council.  He has received the American Optometric Association’s Apollo Award for his contributions to the visual welfare of the public and the Illinois Association for Education and Rehabilitation’s Distinguished Service Award.

Kesteloot earned a Master of Science in Management of Rehabilitation Services from DePaul University and a Bachelor of Science from Loyola University.

About National Industries for the Blind (NIB)
At National Industries for the Blind (NIB), it is our mission to enhance the opportunities for economic and personal independence of persons who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment.  NIB and 89 associated agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services through the AbilityOne Program, established by the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act.  For more information regarding how NIB and NIB associated agencies continue to provide opportunities to Americans who are blind, please visit: www.NIB.org.

About the AbilityOne Program
The AbilityOne Program is the largest source of employment for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities in the United States.  AbilityOne, a federal program, currently employs more than 40,000 people who are blind or have other severe disabilities on federal contracts. Through two central nonprofit agencies, NIB and NISH (serving people with a range of disabilities), AbilityOne works with more than 600 nonprofit agencies nationwide, and represents $2.3 billion in products and services provided to the federal government. The program meets the needs of federal agencies nationwide.  For more information regarding the AbilityOne Program, its employees, or its product and service capabilities, please visit: www.AbilityOne.gov.

About The Chicago Lighthouse:
Founded in 1906, the Lighthouse is one of the nation’s most comprehensive social service agencies. Housed under its roof are the oldest and most prominent low vision clinic in the U.S.; one of the few remaining clock manufacturing facilities in America; a state-of-the-art store that’s been specially designed for the benefit of shoppers who are blind or visually impaired; a nationally acclaimed school for children with multi-disabilities; a VA program serving veterans in all 50 states; and a radio station. For further information, call 312/ 666-1331 or visit www.chicagolighthouse.org