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History
of Wiscraft, Inc.
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Wiscraft's
logo depicts interrelated hands, to represent productivity, teamwork
and the cooperative working relationship we maintain with our customers.
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Wiscraft
was established in 1903 as a State agency, Wisconsin Workshop
for the Blind. In 1985, Wiscraft made the successful conversion
from a State agency to a private 501.c.3. non-profit corporation,
the first such conversion ever in Wisconsin.
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| A
minimum of 75% of its direct labor force are legally blind employees.
Wiscraft does not receive tax support subsidies from the local,
state or federal levels of government and is not a United Way agency.
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Wiscraft, Inc., circa
1982
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Wiscraft,
Inc. provides long-term supportive employment for people who are legally
blind. It is a manufacturing company that operates as a non-profit
with the clear mission of employing people who are legally blind by selling
blind-made products and services. Wiscraft is dedicated to employing
people who are blind and legally blind with other disabilities by assisting them
to:
- Gain
employment and earn and income
- Maintain
an independent lifestyle
- Attain
self-worth through meaningful jobs
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| Wiscraft's
Overall Program |
Wiscraft,
Inc., circa 1923
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For over 100 years, Wiscraft, Inc. has been dedicated to providing
career opportunities for people who are legally blind or legally blind with additional
disabilities. Wiscraft provides an important employment opportunity
for industrial manufacturing and production jobs to help many people
who are legally blind overcome their vision limitations and lead successful
lives. |
| While
there are some employment opportunities for legally blind men and women
in private industry, those opportunities are remote for the people
Wiscraft employs – the legally blind person with additional disabilities,
few skills and limited work experience. |
| Wiscraft
customarily provides employment for 30-50 people who are legally
blind, ranging in age from 21 years to 68 years and whose length
of employment ranges from 1 to 35 years. |
Wiscraft,
Inc., circa 1956
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Wiscraft is also committed to providing employment for people
who are legally blind in supervisory and administrative positions. Over
30% of our management and supervisory staff is comprised of people
who are legally blind or visually impaired. Wiscraft provides long-term
employment and a good fringe benefit package (health insurance,
retirement, vacation, and holidays) to its eligible employees. Unfortunately,
the national unemployment rate for people who are legally blind or multi-disabled
blind, is 70%. In Milwaukee, Wiscraft exists to combat this situation.
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Wiscraft,
Inc., circa 1985
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Today,
Wiscraft is an established subcontract and manufacturing operation
with work contracts from business, industry and government. Experienced
production staff provide written quotes on all subcontract work
assuring customers of accurate contract records and the ability
to meet production, quality assurance and shipping requirements.
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Wiscraft
reliably produces products used throughout the world and provides
its customers with "Quality Production by the Blind" in assembly,
packaging and precision machining. Major Milwaukee area companies
and the Federal Government are some of Wiscraft’s large customers.
Other work comes from customers throughout Milwaukee and Southeastern
Wisconsin. Wiscraft, is a professionally managed organization,
and is guided by a Board of Directors having manufacturing, finance,
corporate law, public relations and non-profit management expertise.
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| Mission
Statement |
Wiscraft, Inc. employs people who are legally blind and legally blind with other
disabilities by providing employment opportunties through an economically
viable and commercially successful business enterprise. The organization
manufactures, produces and markets products and services consistent with the
skills of its work force.
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