In a world that often underestimates what people with disabilities can achieve, Vibrant Works is flipping the narrative — one job, one product, one life at a time. Once known as the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind, the organization has evolved into a national force for good, employing and empowering people who are blind or visually impaired.
At the helm of its growth is Shane Steele, Senior Director of Business Development. Steele has helped expand Vibrant Works from a regional nonprofit into a thriving enterprise that now reaches across the country, blending purpose and profit in a way that sustains both.
You’ve had a long career in service, both in the military and now in advocacy. What led you to Vibrant Works?
Shane: After retiring from 30 years with the Army, I worked with a few federal agencies and eventually got connected with the AbilityOne network: a federal program that helps employ people who are blind or have significant disabilities. Through that, I met several of these agencies and ultimately joined one in San Antonio, which is now Vibrant Works. The mission to empower people with vision loss really resonated with me and aligned with what I wanted to do next in my career.
Vibrant Works recently rebranded from the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind. What inspired that change?
Shane: Vibrant Works recently rebranded from the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind to better reflect who we are today and the breadth of impact we have in our community. While “Lighthouse” carried decades of meaningful history, it no longer fully expressed the empowerment, independence, and opportunity at the heart of our mission. Under the leadership of President and CEO Cindy Watson, we adopted the name Vibrant Works to communicate the energy, purpose, and capabilities of the people we serve. The new name shifts the focus from blindness to possibility, reducing stigma and reinforcing that our organization centers on strength, skill, and opportunity. This rebrand honors our legacy while positioning us for continued growth.
For those unfamiliar, can you share Vibrant Work's mission?
Shane: Around 70% of people who are blind or visually impaired are under or unemployed. We’re here to change that by creating opportunities for people with vision loss. We manufacture and sell products used across military, government, and commercial markets — everything from Skilcraft pens and pencils to combat uniforms, chin straps, and maintenance supplies. We operate 14 base assignments and 12 brick-and-mortar stores that supply these products, and each one employs people with vision loss. Beyond employment, we also teach essential life and workplace skills, from using assistive technology to navigating daily routines so our employees can build confidence and independence inside and outside of work.
How do you incorporate technology and training to make that possible?
Shane: Assistive technology is a game changer. Many of our associates with vision loss use screen-reading software like JAWS to navigate computers, read emails aloud, and work efficiently. Our sewing machines are adapted for safety and ease of use, and our team members receive daily-living skills training that supports confidence and independence. We also provide orientation and mobility training to help individuals travel safely with a white cane. With these tools and support, our employees successfully thrive in a wide range of roles across Vibrant Works.
The mission to create employment opportunities for people with vision loss is so powerful. How do you make that mission sustainable?
Shane: We’ve had to think differently about how we reach people and grow. When I came on, we were focused mostly on base stores. I started opening new channels: going digital with e-commerce, partnering with associations, and expanding into new markets like maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) and oilfields. That shift opened the door to new revenue streams and, in turn, more jobs, more impact. In the last few years, that approach helped us grow over $21 million, with projections near $35 million. When you focus on doing the right thing and think like a business, good things happen on both sides.
If there’s one thing you wish more people knew about Vibrant Works, what would it be?
Shane: I wish more people understood just how capable our teams are. The work we do isn’t charity. It’s business done right. Every product we make, every order we fill, it’s made with skill, precision, and pride by people who happen to be blind or visually impaired. Once people see that, they stop underestimating what’s possible.
Vibrant Works stands as proof that impact and industry can coexist — that employment can be both meaningful and transformative. From assembling military gear to manufacturing everyday products like pens and cleaning supplies, every sale fuels a greater purpose: providing independence and dignity for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Businesses and individuals alike can play a part in that mission. You can shop through Vibrant Works’ online store or sponsor our signature fundraising event, Dining in the Dark, where attendees experience what it’s like to navigate the world without sight.
Because when you support Vibrant Works, you’re not just buying a product. You’re buying American-made and creating opportunity for Americans with vision loss.
