AbilityOne Spotlight: Outlook-Nebraska, Inc.

Outlook Nebraska has been providing employment opportunities for those in the Omaha, Nebraska region since 2000. They started out small, with just four people who were blind creating paper products, but they didn’t stay small long. Today, Outlook is the largest employer of those who are blind within not just Nebraska, but a seven state region surrounding Nebraska. They provide employment opportunities for those who are blind or visually impaired through the production of SKILCRAFT® toilet paper and paper towels, and they also provide a pathway to greater independence for those dealing with vision loss.

    Ken Blackman

Ken Blackman lost his sight in 1994 due to diabetic retinopathy. He has been with Outlook-Nebraska for 11 years. Ken connected with Outlook Nebraska at the suggestion of his counselor. “It took a lot for me to come to Outlook.” says Ken. “When I went blind, it was a complete meltdown. I honestly just freaked out. Anxiety, panic attacks, depression. 

I stayed at home for 14 years because I was scared to leave the house. I just stayed home, and I thought I could get a job working from home doing something, but with no computer skills, there just weren’t any options. It took a good month’s worth of phone calls from Outlook to get me talked into coming.”

Outlook’s persistence paid off. Ken started out part time and within four months, he moved to full time.

“It was neat when I came in and met the staff. They talked to me and explained what they were about and what they were going to do, how it worked, and it all started kind of making sense. And then I was working with people in the same situation I was in. Everyone has their own story you know, the why and what they did. Once I got in here and started working with them, I thought, ‘Wow, these guys are in the same boat as me, and this is cool.’ and then I was learning from them, too. And after that, it just took off.”

Ken went on to earn Outlook’s Employee of the Year Award in 2010, and today, he’s an active volunteer in various committees. He’s also a speaker, talking to tour groups who come in to learn more about Outlook’s mission and facility.

“I’m glad Outlook is here because it gives people an opportunity to get back out into the workforce and improve their lives and learn things. To excel. To come to work, get a paycheck and be involved in the community again and do things.”

    Aaron Peterson

Aaron has worked at Outlook since 2016. After college, he connected with Outlook through a job seminar, where he met Outlook’s HR director. Aaron started out on the manufacturing floor, running the wrapper, palletizer, and other machines. He wanted to branch out and continue learning, so Outlook covered the cost for him to attend the 

Professional Mastery of Office Technology for Employment (ProMOTE) program, a four-week training program with National Industries for the Blind (NIB) focusing on advanced office technology skills.

“It was just an amazing trip. I got to see Niagara Falls. I got to meet a lot of other people like me who are just blind and want to work from across the country. I got some exposure to NIB as well.”

During his time in the ProMOTE training program, Aaron worked with software such as Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word. By the time he got done with the program, he was armed with a higher level of proficiency in terms of using these essential business programs with assistive technologies. The program was also a great opportunity for networking.

“I still interact via email with one of the guys I trained with – he works at NIB in Virginia. I talk to him by email probably on a monthly basis.”

Aaron now works as a customer experience associate in Outlook’s sales department. “They saw that I wanted it and made a place for me,” Aaron says. “I think one of the good things about Outlook is that they give you the time to build those skills. Other employers may not have the time or patience to let you prove yourself.”

Aaron bought his first house recently, and he plans to go back to school to learn computer programming.

That’s How We Roll

 Outlook’s workplace culture is one of limitless possibilities. Where there’s a will, there’s a way, and Outlook is there to help you in any way they can. With its state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities, Outlook has dialed in. People who are blind or visually impaired are empowered to excel with a high level of independence thanks to the rigorous safety systems in place.

 “When I first went blind, I didn’t think I’d ever operate a machine like that again,” Ken says. “I was like a motorhead. I was always working on cars and trucks. I never thought I’d never operate a machine, but with voiceover speech, it’s possible for a person who is totally blind to operate those machines.”

“Every roll of paper we sell is going to keep a person who is blind off the couch and on the job. I think that means a lot,” Aaron says.

Outlook has went nearly 5 years without a lost time incident, which speaks volumes for the safety of their manufacturing floor.

“Once you learn it, it’s a piece of cake.” Ken says.

The SKILCRAFT toilet paper and paper towels produced by Outlook Nebraska are used across the country and around the world by the U.S. government and military.

“I really like my working relationship with a lot of the military bases. They’re one of the customers I’m in the most contact with.” says Aaron. “Even though a lot of our product is shipped locally, a lot of it is heading out to ports and heading out to South Korea and the Middle East and other military bases around the world. Sometimes, I’ll get into an Uber, and if I have somebody who was a veteran, I’ll tell them about where I work and they’ll know about the SKILCRAFT products.”

“It makes me very proud to be able to do something for the military personnel because I was never able to serve,” says Ken. “But my sons did; my son was in the Marines and my step-son was in the Army. And they both ended up using our products. My son got a couple of rolls and had the guys in his platoon sign it. And then he sent it back to me.”

Outlook's Training Enrichment

Like Outlook itself, Outlook’s technology training started out small, consisting of two cubicles, a trainer, and a handful of Outlook employees. Then in 2011, it got a little bigger, filling its own room complete with a computer lab. Now it’s quite large, having expanded during Outlook’s recent August 2017 renovation to include its own individual rooms in addition to the computer lab. This steady expansion is due to the fact that Outlook’s tech training is filling a very real need in Omaha.

“We don’t just train people internally,” says Aaron. “We, for free, at no cost, are training other people who are blind how to use their computer and their smartphones. So I think Outlook is filling the gap because our state agencies can’t help everybody.”

“When I started, I didn’t have any computer skills at all. That’s when we started our education and training center and I signed up for that and learned all the basics.” Ken says. “I didn’t realize it at the time, but when I was learning all this stuff, I was getting my self-esteem and confidence back. I learned how to use my smartphone here and I took some basic business courses online, and that’s because of Outlook.”

Outlook’s goal is to ensure that people are aware of their options and able to take full advantage of what assistive technologies are available. Outlook also enables people to utilize the bus system and taxis to get where they want and need to go, independently. It’s all about independence and opportunity.

In addition to technology training and employment, Outlook provides enrichment programs that run the gamut—from skating and rock climbing to biking and golfing. The overarching goal at Outlook is to holistically impact the lives of people who are blind or visually impaired, empowering them to do all the things they want to do in life with boldness, energy and confidence.

“My experience has been that nobody grows up thinking that they’re going to work in a toilet paper factory.” says Aaron. “But this place is a lot more than just that, you know?”

“To people who are in the same position I was 11 years ago, don’t be scared like I was.” says Ken. “There is technology and there are organizations like Outlook out there to help you get your feet back on the ground and roll with it. Live life and enjoy it.”

Federal Purchasers, SKILCRAFT Makes a Difference

Outlook Nebraska’s powerful impact in Nebraska and beyond wouldn’t be possible without the support of federal customers like you. Every time you purchase SKILCRAFT toilet paper and paper towels from Outlook Nebraska, you are helping to create U.S.-based jobs for Americans who are blind. Purchase SKILCRAFT Toilet Paper here and SKILCRAFT Paper Towels here.