Southern Company recently received the 2012 Visionary Award for Outstanding Employer by Nobis Works.

Atlanta-based Nobis Works recognized Southern Company for its internship program that helps candidates with impaired vision gain job experience.

Nobis Works, formerly The Tommy Nobis Center, is among Georgia's largest nonprofit community rehabilitation programs serving youth and adults with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Since 1977, the organization has helped more than 22,000 people with disabilities find and keep jobs. The organization's mission keeps it working to create jobs that bring independence, confidence, success - and a paycheck to the people it serves.

"Providing meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities reinforces our company's commitment to providing an inclusive work environment," said Stacy Kilcoyne, Southern Company vice president of human resources. "We believe that by honoring, respecting and appreciating the differences between people, we can eliminate barriers for them to realize their full potential."

Southern Company, along with its subsidiary Georgia Power, hosted six interns since starting the program in 2011. Nobis Workscommended Southern Company for being a proven advocate for individuals with disabilities by providing them valuable employment opportunities, including public speaking and formal presentation delivery.