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Anil leads the crowd of blind and sighted members during a march for independence
Lewis first started his journey when he taught individuals to read braille and use assistive technologies . His natural love for technology and his past training and knowledge could be transferred into this field . Lewis later went further into the advocacy field and started advocacy in Georgia . After Lewis worked with the secretary of state , Georgia became the first state to provide accessible voting for blind individuals . He also worked to get access to 500 publications accessible for blind individuals . He worked diligently to impact educational programs that allowed students to get a quality education and adults to get proper and extensive training for work .
Lewis is currently the Executive Director for Blindness Initiatives for the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute , located in Baltimore , Maryland . He coordinates outreach , marketing , and fundraising activities for the national nonprofit organization . He leads a team of " individuals responsible for creating , developing , implementing , and replicating innovative projects and programs throughout a nationwide network that works to positively affect the education , employment , and quality of life of all blind people ''. Lewis being the director of Advocacy and Policy for the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute , allowed him to be the legislative leader of the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute ’ s efforts to repeal Section 14 ( c ) of the Fair Labor Standards Act . This obsolete provision allows employers to pay workers with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage .
Anil chatting with BISM students ( 2009 )
Lewis recognizes the difficulties many individuals in the disability community may face in the workforce . At the Jernigan Institute , he found it was easy to get the equipment and the support needed when completing any of his advocacy work or even the legislation work . The accommodations required were given and upheld to a high standard as well . He stated this created a false expectation that this is happening everywhere and is a model around . Lewis strives to generate this outlook and ideal for all in the community while being the Director of Advocacy and Policy . Lewis considers the ongoing struggle in the next ten years for the Jernigan Institute will be blind individuals getting access to braille , assistive technologies , teaching young children to use canes and be independent , and working towards blind adults having the same accessibility . The ten years hold something new and the technologies that will be created and instantly accessible to individuals without buying upgrades or creating shortcuts . It would also be individuals not having to buy a specific piece of technology to go about their daily lives ; instead , the technology will not need routes to be accessible for use . One hope is that blind employees will not be treated and thought of as different but will be thought of and recognized as progressive entities in the workforce .
With this , Lewis wants people to know that it is nice to celebrate individuals ' accomplishments and get some " skin in the game " no matter what level but to work still to push individuals to exceed their expectations and others . For the organization , it would be whatever way they can support the institute ' s work and be an active individual , or even a reactive voice for the struggle insidious in the disability community faces .