Rhode Island Office of Rehabilitation Services Success Story

Lou Salerno epitomizes the qualities necessary to be a successful businessman and proprietor. He is a businessman who happens to be blind. Lou achieved an Associates Degree in Business Administration at the City College of New York, and had worked in industry for 15 years before his eyesight deteriorated to a level requiring vocational rehabilitation services. He is married with two children. Lou has been a licensed vendor since 1991. He started out in one of the smaller stands, as many new vendors do.

However, it did not take Lou long to show his creativity and business sense of finding a need and filling it. He produced foods in this stand that one doesn’t see in similar-sized operations, even in the commercial sector. He continued to learn the food service industry, attended trade shows, and moved up to larger vending facilities.

Two years ago, when the RI Department of Labor and Training opened their new building in Cranston, Lou became the first manager in this new stand. He has two employees and all the equipment of a full service snack bar. He provides catering services to meetings and functions, again creatively fulfilling needs where others may not seize the opportunity.

Lou is currently the President of the RI State Committee of Blind Vendors, whereby the other vendors look to him for his leadership, and inspiration. He is an untiring worker, personable, and runs a clean, well-stocked snack bar.

“If you are near the DLT building drop by and have a bite to eat. You will meet Lou, and you will be as impressed with him as I am.” Bill LaPolla, Chief Human Services Business Officer, BEP.