Mobile Association for the Blind: Economy forced lay offs

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - According to Executive Director of the Mobile Association for the Blind Cliff Barros, the condition of the economy has impacted the association’s work program. He said unless things improve, the association may be forced to make additional cuts.

MAB is considered one of Mobile’s oldest non-profit organizations, focused on creating and finding work for people with disabilities.

“I can't go to Wal-Mart or McDonald's or anywhere like that and get a job,” said Vendrick Tilley who is one of a handful of employees left at MAB. “You know this place was like a safe haven to us. That's what gave us the opportunity to come here and make an honest living like you.”

Employees at MAB work a variety of jobs, including making mops and brooms to sell. Other opportunities include working in administrative, janitorial, and sales positions.

Employees said people are buying cheaper goods and big businesses are not looking to sell MAB products like they use to.

“Given the economy and so forth, people haven't been ordering as they have in the past and we've had to go through a big downturn,” said MAB Employee Shaun Powell.

Barros told FOX10 he should have a better idea of what measures the association will take to revive the work program. He said if things do not improve, MAB will have to layoff even more employees.

Beyond donations, Barros said what the association could really use are businesses who could hire workers with disabilities.

If you’d like to help, you can visit the link above for MAB’s contact information.