Page 7 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt 1-22-16

Thunderbolt NEWS Jan. 22, 2016 7
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Base supply center creates opportunities

Story and photo by Senior Airman magnified,” said Bernard Richardson, BSC store Since 1997, the Base Supply Center, at Luke Air Force Base has employed
DEVANTE WILLIAMS manager. “Some have a closed caption televi- people with disabilities. The Arizona Industries for the Blind employs
sion system which magnifies the image on the workers whose tasks range from stocking shelves, inventory tracking,
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs screen while others have hand-held magnifiers market research and providing Airmen the necessary items needed for
or glasses that are custom made for the person.” a deployment. The BSC is a part of the AbilityOne program, which helps
With a limited number of jobs available in the more than 48,000 Americans who are blind or have other disabilities. The
U.S., it can be difficult for people to find employ- BSC employees are trained to accomplish program also provides a wide range of employment opportunities to those
ment. There is an added challenge to overcome warehousing, merchandising and housekeeping who face the highest barriers to achieving competitive employment on
for people with disabilities. duties, in addition to operating computerized their own.
cash registers and providing customer assistance.
Since 1997, the Luke Air Force Base Supply
Center has employed people with disabilities. “We support the wing by providing equipment
The Arizona Industries for the Blind employs and supplies that are needed,” Richardson said.
workers whose tasks range from stocking shelves,
inventory tracking, market research and provid- From deployment gear to janitorial equipment,
ing Airmen the necessary items needed for a the BSC provides for nearly any state or federal
deployment. The AIB operates three BSCs, one at agency’s needs.
Luke, one at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson and
one at Yuma Marine Corps Air Station. “Our store plays an all-important role in the
day-to-day operations at Luke and the greater
The BSC is a part of the AbilityOne program, Phoenix metro area,” Lange said. “The store
which helps more than 48,000 Americans who provides a wide array of products to service
are blind or have other disabilities. The program members at Luke.”
also provides a wide range of employment oppor-
tunities to those who face the highest barriers to In addition to meeting base needs, the BSC
achieving competitive employment on their own. meets needs for its employees.

“About 75 percent of the workforce is blind or “There are approximately 70,000 blind un-
visually impaired,” said April Lange, Base Ser- employed individuals in the U.S.,” Lange said.
vices unit manager. “Half of the employees who “Purchasing through the BSC creates employ-
work here are legally blind.” ment for individuals.”

The employees at BSC work diligently and are The BSC provides quality service and contin-
a helping hand to anyone who requires service. ues to pave the way for its employees.

“Most people who walk through the doors don’t “We are proud of our honored role of supplying
even know the employees are blind until they America’s warfighters with their mission needs,”
look at the monitor and see that the cursor is Lange said. “With the Base Supply Centers, we
can support the mission while creating and sus-
taining work for blind members.”

It’s hERe.
Now,Vail has its own emergency room.

During an emergency, the last thing you need is a long drive. Thank goodness the Northwest Emergency Center at Vail is OPEN. It’s the area’s
first freestanding emergency department, staffed by board-certified physicians, nurse practitioners and registered nurses. From lab services,
X-rays and CT to the treatment of broken bones and life-threatening conditions, you’ll receive the same level of emergency care as you would
at a hospital-based ER. And we’re open 24/7.

Reserve your spot ahead of time. Check in online at HealthierTucson.com.*

10146 E. Old Vail Road

*Because our ER and Urgent Care staffs must treat patients based on the severity of illness or injury, your time is not guaranteed. We will see you as close to your designated time as possible. If your symptoms worsen or you
believe you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Department as soon as possible.