Chicago Lighthouse President and Executive Director Dr. Janet Szlyk was elected in late January to the Board of Directors of National Industries for the Blind (NIB), the nation’s largest employment resource for people who are blind or visually impaired.
 
 Since assuming the helm of the Lighthouse in August, 2008, Dr.Szlyk has made job creation for individuals with visual impairments a top priority.  Under her leadership, a significant number of positions have become available for people who are blind or visually impaired, including call center and retail outlet jobs.
 
 Recently, the Lighthouse was awarded a major contract from the Illinois Tollway to manage its customer call center.  Through this ground breaking initiative, the Lighthouse will provide over 200 new jobs for people who are blind and otherwise disabled to support the Tollway’s customer service needs.
 
 “As a longtime admirer of National Industries for the Blind and the amazing things that it does on behalf of people who are blind or visually impaired, I am honored to join the NIB board,” said Dr. Szlyk.  “I look forward to closely working with so many distinguished professionals in this exciting new role.”  
 
NIB and its nationwide network of 91 associated nonprofit agencies, which includes The Chicago Lighthouse, serve as the largest employer of people who are blind in the