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UTICA, N.Y.-- New jobs are coming to Utica. The area’s largest employer of blind and visually impaired people has won a new multi-million dollar contract.

The Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired is expanding its call center. The federal government signed a new $7.5 million deal with the organization. It's expected to add about 18 new positions, most of them for people with vision problems.

The group says jobs for the blind helps people achieve independence, something that can be difficult in this economy.

"Even though I'm a college educated person and I've had extensive training with computers and things of that nature to give me a one-up on the competition in the work field, I would have lots of people doubt that I was able to do the position that I'm more than qualified to do," CABVI customer service representative Rebecca Missig.

The association operates several other federal contracts, from customer service to manufacturing uniforms.