East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind Inc

02/06/2026

We loved welcoming UT Tyler School of Nursing students for a recent Vision Awareness Training session at the East Texas Lighthouse.
These future healthcare professionals fully embraced the experience by asking thoughtful questions, engaging in hands-on activities, and gaining a deeper understanding of what it’s like to navigate the world with vision loss. Trainings like this are essential in helping the next generation of nurses build empathy, awareness, and practical knowledge that will directly impact the quality of care they provide.
Thank you, students, for your openness, curiosity, and commitment to learning. We’re proud to play a role in shaping more inclusive, informed healthcare for our community!

02/05/2026

50 Years of Impact: National Recognition (1988)
In May of 1988, the East Texas Lighthouse received special recognition from National Industries for the Blind for hosting the best special event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Javits Wagner O’Day Act, a landmark piece of legislation that expanded employment opportunities for people who are blind.
The celebration drew national attention and distinguished guests, including Congressman Ralph Hall, who presented the Lighthouse with a U.S. flag flown over the Capitol Building in honor of this achievement.
This moment marked more than an award. It was a powerful affirmation of the Lighthouse’s growing impact, leadership, and commitment to meaningful employment. A proud chapter in our history and a milestone worth remembering!

02/03/2026

We’re grateful to Heaton Eye Associates for helping raise awareness about Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and the importance of early detection.
As an organization that supports individuals living with vision loss, we know firsthand how life-changing early diagnosis and access to care can be. Regular, comprehensive eye exams play a critical role in identifying conditions like AMD and connecting people to the resources, tools, and training they need to maintain independence and quality of life.

February is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Month 👁️💜

AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in adults over 50 and it often starts without symptoms. At Heaton Eye Associates, our optometrist play a vital role in detecting age-related macular degeneration early.

Early detection matters and it starts with a comprehensive eye exam!

Schedule your exam today 👀
www.heatoneye.com

02/02/2026

50 Years of Impact: A Decade of Growth & Momentum (1986–1995)
The second decade of the East Texas Lighthouse was marked by progress, innovation, and a growing sense of permanence. During this time, the organization stepped confidently into the digital age, modernizing operations and strengthening internal systems to support continued growth. Facilities were streamlined, production became more efficient, and investments in adaptive equipment and custom workstations ensured blind employees could work safely and independently.
This decade also brought national recognition and moments of profound service. From hosting a milestone celebration of the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act to answering the call during Operation Desert Shield, the Lighthouse’s work reached far beyond East Texas. In 1991, the purchase of a 67,000-square-foot manufacturing facility provided a permanent home and the capacity to expand product lines and employment opportunities under one roof.
By the mid-1990s, the East Texas Lighthouse had become an organization built to last, grounded in community partnership, strengthened by innovation, and firmly committed to meaningful employment for blind and visually impaired individuals.
Stay tuned as we spotlight the milestones that defined this impactful decade.

01/29/2026

50 Years of Impact: A Pivotal Partnership
In 1977, the East Texas Lighthouse began an important affiliation with National Industries for the Blind, a partnership that opened the door to producing goods for federal agencies and expanded what was possible for our organization.
By the early 1980s, that affiliation had an even greater impact with the introduction of new product lines, including industrial-grade nonwoven wiping towels and canvas bag weights used by the U.S. Navy. These federal contracts didn’t just grow production, they created new employment opportunities, leading to the hiring of additional blind employees to support the production.
This partnership helped lay the foundation for decades of meaningful employment, innovation, and independence.

01/28/2026

Following Tyler ISD protocol, our offices will be closed again tomorrow, January 28th. For those on the roads, take it slow and be careful!

01/27/2026

We will be closed again Tuesday, January 27th due to the continued unsafe road conditions. Please continue to stay safe and warm!

01/24/2026

For the safety of our staff and community, our offices will be closed Monday, January 26th.
Please stay safe and warm!

01/23/2026

Celebrating 50 Years: Where It All Began
In 1976, our journey started as East Texas Workshop Industries, operating out of a small rented building on Glasgow Road with a big vision: creating meaningful employment opportunities for blind and visually impaired East Texans. Just one year later, our name officially became the East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind, a name that reflected both our mission and our growing impact.
That humble beginning has grown into an organization dedicated to empowerment, independence, and opportunity for generations. We’re proud of where we started and even more proud of who we’ve become.

01/21/2026

For 50 years, the East Texas Lighthouse has been a place where opportunity, dignity, and independence take root.
Our newest blog reflects on the milestones, growth, and community partnerships that shaped our journey and the lasting importance of Lighthouse organizations in communities like ours.
Read the full article at https://www.easttexaslighthouse.org/50-years/

01/19/2026

We honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and his unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and service to others.
At East Texas Lighthouse, we’re reminded that creating opportunity, dignity, and inclusion for all is essential to building the kind of community Dr. King envisioned.