Mohave County Questions Benefits Of Blind Vendor Program

Published: Monday, May 18, 2015 - 9:37am

LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. — Mohave County is questioning whether to keep using state-contracted vending businesses owned by blind people.

The Today's News-Herald reported that Mohave County supervisors will discuss renewing a current agreement, which covers vending machines in 13 buildings, at a meeting Monday in Kingman.

Supervisor Buster Johnson said it's not clear whether blind people actually benefit.

Johnson said a state report shows only three of the roughly 250 people working for the vendors are visually impaired and only 10 listed other disabilities.

Program manager Jason Sauer says the vendors must be legally blind and be licensed through the state.

He said they are allowed to subcontract some work.

The Arizona Department of Economic Security operates the program, which generated more than $15 million in gross sales in 2013.

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