Keystone (KBA, KVS, KIM, NFBC)

Keystone is comprised of many different companies. First, we are Keystone Blind Association (KBA), the original organization established in 1947 to provide services to blind and visually impaired persons in our community. We offer many services in Mercer, Crawford, Lawrence in PA and in Mahoning and Trumbull Counties in Ohio. Services are also provided by Keystone’s affiliate agencies in Beaver, Montgomery and Delaware Counties. These services include Specialized Services, Orientation & Mobility Instruction, Vision Rehabilitation Therapy, Assistive Technology, Prevention of Blindness screenings and programs, Keystone Kids/Young Adults programs, and employment opportunities in document destruction, chemical manufacture, toilet paper manufacture and employment at PennDOT rest areas. Second, we are Keystone Vocational Services (KVS), developed in 1998 to provide employment opportunities to people who are visually impaired. These opportunities include manufacturing products and providing services to the Federal government through the Ability One Program, where at least 75% of the direct labor force must be legally blind. Examples are the digging and striking tool manufacturing programs and the new hardhat (helmet) manufacturing program. Third, we are Keystone Independence Management (KIM), formed in 2000 to provide management and back-office services to KBA and to KVS. KIM provides all accounting and payroll services, human resource functions, program development, fundraising, and administration. KIM also provides management and back-office services to our 4 affiliates across the state. In 2008, we created the National Foundation for Blind Children (NFBC), which also receives management and back-office services from KIM. Though on opposite ends of the state, KBA and its affiliates work together to provide a variety of services and products to not only the individuals of Pennsylvania, but also to the federal government.