Barbara Moore lives with a condition called nystagmus with cataracts; she was born legally blind, and she has limited vision. Despite her blindness, Moore taught herself to sew after deciding she wanted to make a comforter. Armed with a desire to work with needle and thread, she has spent the past 16 years sewing buttons and buttonholes on women’s military trousers while working as a seamstress at Vocational Guidance Services (VGS). Since 1890, VGS has trained and provided employment to individuals living with mental and cognitive disabilities.

“We were kind of pioneers for creating rehabilitation programs,” says Sabrina Selinka, general manager of VGS’ power sewing department. “Our mission is to prepare people with barriers to employment, and 80 percent of our employees in the sewing department have a significant disability or barrier to employment.”   

Please contact SDCB to learn more about our various programs. Assistive technology can significantly improve your quality of life.

“Legal blindness doesn't stop this self-taught seamstress from making military uniforms”