February 24, 2024

High school is the first important step toward a college education, a fulfilling career—the list goes on. The better your grades, the more you’ll get out of the experience. But what if you could learn and get paid to do it?

Business concepts like working as a team and gaining new technology skills go hand in hand with English and Math. Your first job will require these and more. If you’re unsure about your career path, now’s the time to explore. The Lean In! Prep program was designed for you to do just that.

This fun online program will introduce you to different occupations, computer applications used in the employment sector, and mentors who are blind or low vision. You’ll also work to develop an online store, so the skills you gain will be used in a real-life environment.

Want to know more? Register by February 16 on the Lean In! Prep page.

February 27, 1-7 p.m.

Join the Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park for a free Accessibility Open House on February 27 from 1-7 p.m. This is an opportunity to try sports like ice skating, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and luge.

This event will showcase offerings and adaptive equipment giving participants and their families the opportunity to try each activity. Please RSVP and complete the waivers in advance at the msports.org/OpenHouse. 

March 22-24

This program is designed to assist students in gaining an applicable understanding of critical soft skills needed for workplace and/or post-secondary success.

Students will participate in group and individual challenges centered around popular reality series “Survivor” themed activities related to problem solving, critical thinking, appropriate attire, communication and team building.

If you think you can outthink and outlast the competition to become the Survivor in the workplace champion, we welcome you. This program will take place March 22-24 (Friday afternoon to Sunday morning) at the BSBP Training Center. 

​​Register by March 8 at https://bit.ly/BSBP-Survivor2023.

The Family Engagement Committee at the Training Center will be hosting a few spring 2024 events for Pre-ETS students and their families to get to know the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons Training Center and its staff as families begin making plans for summer.

First, there will be a Virtual Meet & Greet Event that will be offered on Thursday, February 22 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. or Saturday, March 23 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

These events are designed to create an opportunity for families to meet some of the Training Center Staff and learn about the programs offered for students throughout the summer.

The group will also be hosting an in person open house for Pre-ETS students and their families to visit the Training Center on Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Families are welcome to drop by the different stations of teachers and staff, and join a tour of the facility.

View the Virtual Meet and Greet Flyer (PDF)

View the In-Person Open House Flyer (PDF)

Register for the virtual meet and greet here. For more information, please contact Jaclyn Scholten at ScholtenJ1@michigan.gov or 269-337-3758.

The National Coding Symposium is excited to partner with Humanware, Vispero, and the American Printing House for the Blind to offer student awards as part of this year's Symposium!

Vispero will be awarding two credits of $3,000 each towards a purchase of technology from any of their brands. Humanware will be awarding a BrailleNote Touch+ and a Robotics Kit, and the American Printing House for the Blind will be giving either an available braille device or low vision device, depending on the student. A product specialist from each of these organizations will connect with award recipients and their TVIs (if applicable) to help choose the most appropriate device.

Award eligibility:

• Eligibility is limited to middle to high school and college-aged students who are visually impaired and interested in a career related to coding, computer science, or related field.
• Each applicant must complete the award application form below and submit a response to the prompt.

Responses must be submitted by Thursday, April 25, 2024. More information about the symposium can be found at aphconnectcenter.org/coding-symposium-3-0/.

Apply to the National Coding Symposium award here.

Do you have an awesome BSBP counselor who goes above and beyond to help you (or your child) achieve your goals? Well now you can tell the world about them😊! 

We would love to feature your counselor in one of our upcoming monthly newsletters! Complete your quick and easy nomination at https://forms.gle/i2EkPg72Z6927xEd8.