Hand Construction proudly joins the Louisiana Association for the Blind (L.A.B.) in celebrating the ribbon cutting of its new assistive technology center, a project Hand Construction was honored to join. The project consisted of a renovation of the existing facility, a new and welcoming entrance, and a new secure parking lot.
The expanded center, located at 1826 Claiborne Avenue in Shreveport, will provide blind and visually impaired Louisiana residents with expanded services and resources.
The nearly $4.8 million expansion, led by Hand Construction, transformed a former printing facility into a state-of-the-art, 14,000-square-foot center designed to support client assessment, training, and access to the latest assistive technology. Louisiana Association for the Blind serves blind and visually impaired individuals of all ages, from infants to senior citizens.
“This wasn’t just a construction project for our team. We understood it was a necessary next step in L.A.B.’s mission,” said Kyle Hand of Hand Construction. “When you build something like this, you’re not just following a blueprint; you’re helping build independence for people who will walk through these doors for generations to come.”
“This expansion allows us to provide more options to our clients,” said Brian Patchett, Louisiana Association for the Blind President and CEO. “We now have the room to provide more screenings, more services and more assistive technology options. Our team’s goal is to allow every visually impaired person to live an independent life.”
Louisiana Association for the Blind has been providing services to the visually impaired for nearly 100 years. It was established by the Lions Club in Shreveport in 1927 to train and employ residents who were blind. Originally, workers made brooms. Today, Louisiana Association for the Blind operates a copy paper manufacturing facility and a nonskid flooring factory. Both facilities provide products for privately owned businesses and the
federal government. L.A.B. also operates Base Supply Centers at Barksdale Air Force Base and Fort Polk.
“This area was so fortunate that the Lions Club had such a forward-thinking approach to help residents who were visually impaired,” said Patchett. “Members of that original club would be shocked to see how their plans have grown into this premier assistive technology facility. In 1927, assistive technology was braille, white canes and guide dogs. While that is still important, technology has evolved over time. We offer smart glasses that can scan and read aloud books and magazines, talking white sticks, and other devices that provide independence to our clients.”
Hand Construction is proud to have played a role in bringing this vision to life and looks forward to continuing to build projects that strengthen the Ark-La-Tex community.
For more information about Louisiana Association for the Blind (including how to schedule an evaluation) or to purchase their locally made products, visit lablind.com.