Beyond Vision

Accessible Timeline

Beyond Vision Timeline of Historical Highlights

  • 1903, Beginnings – Established as a State agency under the State Board of Control with 16 men weaving baskets.
  • 1920s, Relationships – Began working relationships with companies like Harley-Davidson and Briggs & Stratton.
  • 1932, Products – Began producing cocoa mats for the U.S. Government and still do today.
  • 1958, Manufacturing – Opened one of only two machine shops operated by people who are blind in the U.S. that is still working.
  • 1965, Location – Moved into the current State Street location, the former Milwaukee Electric Tool facility.
  • 1985, Independence – Separated from the State as a fully self-funded social enterprise, Wiscraft.
  • 1997, Expansion – Started AIB and opened our first Base Supply Center at Naval Station Great Lakes.
  • 2002, Qualification – Earned ISO9001:2000 Certification, rare among similar agencies at the time.
  • 2009, Innovation – Opened Customer Care Center to provide greater career advancement opportunities for employees.
  • 2013, Representation – Representation Functionally merged Wiscraft and AIB to launch Beyond Vision.
  • 2018, Ambition – Continue to innovate and grow while employing people who are blind side-by-side with sighted people earning a competitive wage and benefits.
  • 2022, Growth, The VisABILITY Center officially opens and consolidates all Beyond Vision’s operations from three separate locations into one.