Lighthouse for the Blind adds second Fort Worth shift for federal contract

The Lighthouse for the Blind has added a second shift to its Fort Worth manufacturing line that makes energy dissipating pads for the Defense Department, hiring five more people to meet greater demand from the federal contract.

The Lighthouse's Industrial Division employs more than 70 people -- some totally blind, some legally blind -- who make products such as the pads, graffiti remover, hygiene kits, non-incendiary LED marking flares, shipping containers, copy paper, and clear barrel pens at the organization's plant on Fort Worth's Near South Side.

The Lighthouse was already running a day shift four days a week for the Defense Department contract. Two weeks ago, it added a 4:30 p.m.-1:45 a.m. shift, said Nancy Fisher, Lighthouse community development.

Workers assemble the pads by gluing top and bottom sheets on a six-inch-thick piece of cardboard. The finished product is eight feet by three feet and is designed for use underneath supply pallets and vehicles to cushion the drop in air drops.

- Scott Nishimura, jobs and workplace reporter, Star-Telegram