Meet the driving force behind Beyond Vision’s mission to provide employment opportunities to people who are blind: our President & CEO, Jim Kerlin!

Applying his servant-leadership beliefs and strong work ethic to his leadership role, Jim has been instrumental in breaking the barrier of the staggering 70 percent unemployment rate for individuals who are blind.

Jim’s passion for the cause is evident in his relentless efforts several years ago to find what would be a bigger, better home for Beyond Vision, with opportunities to continue to expand. Working alongside the Beyond Vision team and the board of directors, Jim brainstormed ideas to make this vision a reality. Despite numerous obstacles along the way, Jim never lost sight of the goal, and Beyond Vision found its new home in West Allis, Wisconsin with a grand opening in fall of 2022.

Leading Beyond Vision for more than 15 years now, Jim firmly believes that with accessibility tools, training, and opportunities, individuals who are blind can do anything their sighted counterparts can do. He emphasizes the commitment and capabilities of Beyond Vision’s workforce, which continually delivers quality products and services to customers.

Jim’s inspirational story is a testament to the potential and possibilities of individuals who are blind. He humbly shares a quote that reflects his belief that those who are blind see the world differently but are equally capable: “People who are blind can see; they just see differently. Our eyes are only one pathway of information for our brain to allow us to see.”

Jim’s visionary leadership has paved the way for Beyond Vision’s success, and this legacy will have an impact on generations to come. As Helen Keller once said, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” And as Scott Hamilton aptly put it, “The only disability in life is a bad attitude.”