Although Julie Harlow hasn't worked in retail since she was a teenager, she counts her blessings each day when she comes to work.

Harlow, 43, is one of three blind employees who work at the Express Store on JBLM-McChord Field located at the south end of the 62nd Logistics Readiness Squadron's building. The store, which is operated by the Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind Foundation, sells office supplies, combat readiness gear and even knives and generators to government purchase card holders. Under the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program, government employees are required to buy selected supplies and services from nonprofit agencies employing those who are blind or have other severe disabilities.

"We're one of the biggest employers of blind people in the state," store manager Dean Ward said of Seattle Lighthouse.

Harlow, who's worked at the store for nearly two years, suffers from retinitis pigmentosa, a slow, progressive disease that causes tunnel vision and total night blindness.

She can see just three degrees in either direction without turning her head, and said her blindness has severely affected her ability to find employment.

"When you walk in with a cane, it's very difficult," said Harlow, who's pursuing a law degree while working at the store.

With the aid of specialized equipment, legally blind employees stock shelves, keep inventory, receive shipments and work as sales clerks.

"Seventy percent of blind people in the nation are unemployed," Ward said. "That's why we're here to help. There are very few opportunities for them."

Harlow has to walk a little slower, rely on touch a bit more and use a modified checkout screen at her register, but helps customers locate products and chats with regulars like anyone that has 20/20 vision.

"They've accepted me with my vision loss," she said. "They've been very accommodating here when it comes to accessibility needs. It's a good job for a lot of (blind) people."

Although customers know about the disabilities of store employees, they say it doesn't slow them down, said Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Johnson, a unit deployment manager with the 62nd LRS who shops at the store two to three times a week.

"When Julie is working at the checkout stand, you'll see she's knows were all the right keys are and despite her blindness, she doesn't miss a thing," Johnson said.

"It's pretty awesome."

And while Harlow may ask Johnson for help locating a bar code once in a while, he said it's a small price to pay for the convenience, cost savings and job opportunities the store provides.

"It's great having the store right there," Johnson said. "We get short-notice taskings and I can be down here quick to buy gear and get back in my office in 30 minutes."