Executive Director's Corner
Tina Ballard

Welcome to the Executive Director's Corner!

I would like to begin by expressing my appreciation to everyone who has given me such a warm welcome to this position. I am humbled and blessed to be here working with this agency, a people committed to making a difference in the lives of those who are blind or have other severe disabilities.

I recently learned of a quote by Dr. Kenneth Jernigan.  He said, “It is respectable to be blind” … I would add, it is respectable to be a person with any disability. It is respectable to want to work and be independent, to have hope and find it realized.

We are committed to the employment of people who are blind or have other severe disabilities. We understand, better than most, what is meant by the saying that, “Disability is a matter of perception. If you can do just one thing well, you’re needed by someone.”

People who are blind or have other severe disabilities are a talented, largely untapped population and we need their talent. We need them providing food services and medical kits to our armed forces, we need them processing 16M pieces of mail for the EPA, and we need them providing more than 3,000 products and services to the federal government.

We recognize their abilities and we are committed to the employment of this valued segment of our population. Each of us brings our own unique strength and skills to this purpose.

I am convinced and I believe history proves that where there is purpose, dedication and commitment great things happen. So, you might say, “How are these great things going to happen?” Well, to answer that question, we should each turn to our neighbor and say, “You are the best!” Then turn to your other neighbor and say, “I am the best too.”

When you combine your best efforts with the best efforts of the person on your left and on your right, when we work together as organizations, combining or best efforts, and giving our best to educating and motivating others to increase the employment of people who are blind or severely disabled, great things must happen!

The history of the AbilityOne Program is of doing great things that have grown employment and opportunities. I am excited by this new opportunity and look forward to working with you and giving my best to the AbilityOne Program.  Thank you.

Kim Zeich and Tina Ballard visit the Marine Dining Facility, D.C. and
AbilityOne Program employees with ServiceSource.