Lions Services is How Good Work Gets Done

We Employ Charlotte-Area Adults Who are Blind or Visually Impaired

Our Mission is Clear

Empowering people who are blind to achieve personal and economic independence by providing them with vocational rehabilitation and employment opportunities.

Our Values

 We treat each other, and ourselves with respect. We commit to making quality work for the first time. We embrace opportunities to learn and grow. We appreciate and care for one another. We all take ownership of our collective sucess.

Our Vision

Create a world where blind and visually impaired individuals can feel empowered through meaningful employment while building a strong community together.

Our Culture

We are a close-knit family where we enjoy making quality products. We succeed in an accessible atmosphere of personal and professional growth. We have an inclusive community where everyone can be themselves.

Deep Roots in the Charlotte Community

Providing employment opportunities to the blind and visually impaired community, including blind veterans for more than 85 years to build confidence and provide independence in the Charlotte Community!

Deep Roots in the Charlotte Community

Providing employment opportunities to the blind and visually impaired community, including blind veterans for more than 85 years to build confidence and provide independence in the Charlotte Community!

A Path to Self-Sufficiency

Creating job opportunities for individuals who are blind and visually impaired and promoting their
independence is crucial for fostering inclusivity and empowering them to lead fulfilling lives.

Orientation & Mobility

Mobility training for blind people is an essential part of helping them live an independent and fulfilling life. There are several ways in which mobility training can be provided, and the approach taken may vary depending on the individual’s needs, abilities, and preferences. At Lions Services, we invest to ensure all blind and visually impaired employees are offered orientation and mobility training at the start of employment and during their career at the facility. This can include learning to use a cane or guide dog.

Accessibility to technology and adaptive devices to improve job performance and promote independence- have you ever wondered what it would be like to choose your clothing, read your mail, or prepare a meal if you were visually impaired or blind? There are many adaptive devices that make everyday tasks possible. Lions Services helps support the purchase of assistive devices through the Blind Support Fund to purchase hand held magnifiers, magnification glasses, talking watches, and many other devices to help with these tasks.

Our History is Deep

In 1935, the Charlotte Central Lions Club founded the Charlotte Workshop for the Blind to employ WWI veterans to re-cane chairs. In 1975, the company was incorporated as a nonprofit textile manufacturer to provide vocational rehabilitation for people who are blind and became known as Lions Services, Inc. The Agency has evolved into a manufacturer of products for the Department of Defense under the Congressional Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act. Lions Services is a respected affiliate of National Industries for the Blind and has received the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Program award from the Defense Logistics Agency for consistently producing excellent quality products. In 2010, Lions Services became ISO 9001:2008 certified.

In 1935, the Charlotte Central Lions Club founded the Charlotte Workshop for the Blind to employ WWI veterans to re-cane chairs. In 1975, the company was incorporated as a nonprofit textile manufacturer to provide vocational rehabilitation for people who are blind and became known as Lions Services, Inc. The Agency has evolved into a manufacturer of products for the Department of Defense under the Congressional Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act. Lions Services is a respected affiliate of National Industries for the Blind and has received the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Program award from the Defense Logistics Agency for consistently producing excellent quality products. In 2010, Lions Services became ISO 9001:2008 certified.

Our History is Deep

In 1935, the Charlotte Central Lions Club founded the Charlotte Workshop for the Blind to employ WWI veterans to re-cane chairs. In 1975, the company was incorporated as a nonprofit textile manufacturer to provide vocational rehabilitation for people who are blind and became known as Lions Services, Inc. The Agency has evolved into a manufacturer of products for the Department of Defense under the Congressional Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act. Lions Services is a respected affiliate of National Industries for the Blind and has received the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Program award from the Defense Logistics Agency for consistently producing excellent quality products. In 2010, Lions Services became ISO 9001:2008 certified.

In 1935, the Charlotte Central Lions Club founded the Charlotte Workshop for the Blind to employ WWI veterans to re-cane chairs. In 1975, the company was incorporated as a nonprofit textile manufacturer to provide vocational rehabilitation for people who are blind and became known as Lions Services, Inc. The Agency has evolved into a manufacturer of products for the Department of Defense under the Congressional Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act. Lions Services is a respected affiliate of National Industries for the Blind and has received the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Program award from the Defense Logistics Agency for consistently producing excellent quality products. In 2010, Lions Services became ISO 9001:2008 certified.

Our Commitment to the Blind Community is Strong

In 1938, Congress passed the Wagner-O’Day Act to provide employment opportunities for people who are blind enabling them to manufacture products for Federal Government customers. In 1971, under the direction of Senator Jacob Javits, the Act was amended (41 U.S.C. 46-48c) and renamed the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act (JWOD). The Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind administers the JWOD program and in 2006, changed the program name to AbilityOne. The program now includes people with severe disabilities and allows services to be provided to Federal customers. Two national, independent, nonprofit agencies operate under JWOD; National Industries for the Blind and National Industries for the Severely handicapped. The primary goal of the AbilityOne program is to employ and create training opportunities for people who are blind or severely handicapped. The means of accomplishing this goal is to encourage Government agencies to purchase selected products and services from NIB and NISH affiliates. As a result, employees under AbilityOne are able to lead a more productive and independent life.

See How Good Work Gets Done