DHSS Press Release

DIVISION FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED TRIPLES PRODUCTION OF NECKERCHIEFS FOR U.S. ARMY, TRIPLES JOBS FOR BLIND AND LOW-VISION DELAWAREANS

Delaware Industries for the Blind (DIB) has more than tripled its production of desert neckerchiefs for the U.S. Army over the past several months, thereby tripling the blind and low-vision Delawareans employed for the project.

DIB, which is the industrial program of Delaware Health and Social Services' Division for the Visually Impaired, employs blind and low-vision Delawareans to produce promotional items such as plaques, t-shirts, hats, name badges, etc. The program has been in operation since 1909.

For the past year and a half, DIB has produced 6,000-8,000 neckerchiefs per month for the Army through a contract with Defense Supply Center Philadelphia. In October 2002, Army officials asked DIB to increase production to at minimum of 25,000 neckerchiefs per month. DIB has been able to meet and exceed that quota, and is now producing more than 30,000 neckerchiefs per month. The project, which initially provided jobs for eight blind or low-vision employees, now employs 24.

"We are glad to be doing our small part to support the U.S. military, and we are doubly glad because it's providing good steady jobs for blind and visually impaired Delawareans like me," said Joseph Scarcelli, DIB's Blind Employee of the Year. "Many of my co-workers wouldn't have the opportunity to work and be self-sufficient without this project. It makes all the difference in the world when you are able to get up every day and go do a job that's important."

All steps to produce the neckerchiefs are completed in house at DIB's facility in New Castle by blind and low-vision Delawareans. The fabric is cut, sewn, marked for identification, inspected, folded, labeled and packaged. Under DIB program requirements, a minimum of 75 percent of the labor must be accomplished by the blind/low-vision labor force.

The brown neckerchiefs, which sell for $5 each, are 24" X 72" and 100 percent cotton. Revenue from the project pays for the equipment, raw material and salaries of workers who produce the item. Any remaining funds are used to expand DIB's program and employment opportunities. Among the improvements made possible from this project so far, DIB was able to purchase a new embroidery machine and a new engraving machine, which have resulted in several new jobs for blind and visually impaired Delawareans.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.