NewView Oklahoma

PROJECT PURPOSE

At the manufacturing plant in Oklahoma City, NewView Oklahoma produces a number of essential products to state and federal clients, including fire hoses, personal protective equipment, first aid kits, CNC products, and more. This ARPA capital project will equip NewView to employ exponentially more blind individuals and bring significant manufacturing opportunities to Oklahoma. The NewView Leadership Team has formulated the following plan: Located at 501 N. Douglas Ave., NewView?s 5-story, 156,000 sq. ft. facility was built in 1935. A recent architectural assessment found the structure to be sound. Many renovations are needed, including but not limited to: safety upgrades, ADA compliance, new fire suppression system, structural steel lintel repairs, exterior masonry work, exhaust fan renovations, roof parapet reinforcement, flooring reconstruction, elevator addition, construction of new warehouse storage facility for distribution, and improved roadway access. NVO has also operated for decades on a fractured IT infrastructure. This system presents many problems: inaccessible systems present barriers to career opportunities for blind or low-vision employees and aging systems present security vulnerabilities and mission-damaging inefficiencies. Recent IT security assessments found these needs urgent: 1) New cloud-based software including CRM, ERP, SSO, and EMR/EHR systems, 2) New on-premises hardware including servers, firewalls, routers, and endpoint devices, 3) Professional IT Services to develop and maintain: a) CRM, ERP, and EMR/HER Data Migration, System Architecture, and Implementation, b) SSO Implementation/Training, and c) IT Security Assessments and Remediation.

EVIDENCE

The recent report, Governors' Role in Promoting Disability Employment in COVID-19 Recovery Strategies, outlined several actions states could take to ensure "adequate protection and support are available to [people with disabilities] in order to promote opportunities for safe and sustainable work." In addition, the report stated that "a heightened awareness of workplace safety may pose an opportunity for more inclusive workplaces"?" Furthermore, Biden's Executive Order on Protecting Worker Health and Safety in combination with OSHA's updated guidance on Returning to Work demonstrates the administration's commitment to ensuring that workplaces are accountable for providing safe conditions for all workers."

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

The unemployment rate for blind and low vision individuals is a staggering 74%, according to pre-pandemic data. Since the pandemic, blind individuals have experienced increased levels of social isolation, lacking access to valuable in-person social services, and disadvantages in regard to digitally based employment, social, and healthcare opportunities. Many of our blind employees also have underlying medical conditions and experience increased risk of illness from Covid-19. For 72 years, NewView Oklahoma has provided competitive employment for individuals with vision loss through our manufacturing plant in OKC. NewView is currently the largest employer of the blind and visually impaired in Oklahoma, with over 150 employees at all levels of the organization. By updating our facilities and IT systems, NewView would provide a safer workplace for blind individuals amidst the pandemic, while bringing more manufacturing opportunities to the state of Oklahoma.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

NewView?s manufacturing operations team has already secured detailed estimates from contractors on all the required facility and IT updates, so we have a clear picture of exactly how much the organization would need to spend to successfully execute all updates. Project benchmarks will be clearly defined and evaluated by the Manufacturing Department on a quarterly basis at minimum to ensure the project meets all necessary time and budget requirements at every step of the process.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

One-time project will not need continued funding