>From the DLH latest newsletter: A Bold Progress Update Last month, Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind (DLB) acquired an established call center and marketing company recognized as Bold Sales Solutions. This move was aimed at creating 60 to 70 new skilled jobs for people who are legally and totally blind over the next 18 months or less. Last month, 8 full-time positions were created utilizing people with visual impairment. These new skilled jobs are being filled by the latest graduates from DLB's extensive customer care/call center training program. DLB's next class begins April 17th and lasts for 4 weeks. DLB will conduct several customer care classes this year. Al Rodriguez is totally blind and is among the 8 inaugural DLB employees on the Bold Sales Solutions project. Having benefited from prior experience in customer service and sales call centers, Al is delighted about this recent opportunity. "Working on the new project has been an amazing journey for me, said Al. "We're all excited to continue moving forward with the success. I personally am very thankful to work for DLB. I thank the Lord for this blessing. I am grateful for all who put in extremely hard effort for this to be a true success with Bold Sales Solutions." Bold Sales Solutions was formerly established by Herb Pratt and Jeremiah McClure. They are taking great pleasure in their unique new venture. "We were looking for growth opportunities and strategic partnerships," said Jeremiah. "We were open-minded to any way to expand the original business we created. When we began talking with President and CEO Hugh McElroy and CFO Greg Bogard, we couldn't imagine how it was going to work. They explained the assistive technology and capabilities to us. They also enlightened us about facts on expanded job retention among employees with visual impairment." Herb is equally pleased. "Prior to this experience, I haven't had exposure to people who are blind in the work force," said Herb. "I'm delighted about the caliber of people with the Dallas Lighthouse. They are sharp and fast learners and pleasant to work with. They've been a positive addition to the call center." Productivity is on the increase, with 12 contracts and rising. Contract examples include performing accreditations solicitations, important class 1 food recalls, a pest control company and more. Bold Sales Solutions will soon be supporting the marketing and Customer Care divisions with a technology vision enhancer called seeBoost. This tool has restored partial vision for a number of conditions. Additional Dallas Lighthouse goods will be supported through the Bold Sales Solutions call center. Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind is the largest employer of people who are blind and visually impaired in North Texas, manufacturing and assembling more than 300 products in its portfolio. This new project brings the total number of DLB employees to 265 and counting. Tony Anthony R. Candela Chair, AER Voc. Rehab. & Employment Division Rehabilitation Administrator/Consultant (510) 912-0969 ____________________________________________________________ Better Than Adderall? New "Silicon Valley" Drug Is Now Legal Cerebral Central http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/58f4feed54a787eed34c7st01duc