On March 7, approximately 30 attendees converged on Zehnder’s in Frankenmuth to tap into a much-needed conversation about employment options and obstacles that students who are blind or visually impaired are experiencing. Panel members brought life experience and recommendations to the front of the conversation, while students gained knowledge about assistive technology options and learned about ways to approach employers regarding accommodations needed to be successful in future employment.

One of the messages shared was a sentiment that we as professionals, parents and customers of BSBP should remember: the importance of self-confidence, and per Sanho Steele-Louchart, “It is never a question of if a blind person can do something, but a question of how.”

The committee sends many thanks to collaborating parties and panel members, including, but not limited to, the dedicated Education Consultants of Michigan Department of Education’s Low Incident outreach team, keynote speaker Camilo Glas, and panel members Sanho Steele-Louchart, Ather Jammoa and Nick VanderWall.

When thinking about or actively seeking employment, blind and low vision individuals often face daunting challenges. However, programs like Vanward Consulting Services' Lean In! and Lean in Prep!, both work-based learning and job exploration centered programs, continue to assist students in discovering passions and overcoming bias.

“During Lean in Prep!,” stated Gary Horton, Vanward Consulting Services executive advocate. “Students run an online business serving actual customers (working in IT, marketing, operations and accounting), allowing them to make informed decisions about their likes and dislikes early on.”

Gary highly recommended that students interested in job exploration/Lean In! services take the reins in their lives. He further noted that the keys to career success is hard work, passion and focus, and striving for excellence and fulfillment despite the biases. 

Beyond Lean in Prep, Gary highlighted additional job exploration counseling services offered by Vanward Consulting (which is fully staffed with persons who are blind/low vision!). From career symposiums, which are open to any pre-ETS student, to connecting students with corporate internships, Vanward encourages and empowers blind/low-vision students to explore and experience what they are interested in.

In essence, job exploration services, either offered by Vanward or elsewhere, not only open doors to employment but also empower individuals to navigate their futures with discernment and confidence. Through dedication and hard work, visually impaired students can attain and excel in careers that they value, breaking down barriers one obstacle at a time.

If interested in working with Vanward Consulting Services, please contact your BSBP Rehabilitation Professional.

Sat. April 13, 2024, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Attention all who are B/VI interested in summer work! Don't miss your chance to register for the Summer Job Engagement event, co-sponsored by BSBP and Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind, for BSBP or Michigan Rehabilitation Services customers who are at least 14 years old.

Bring your resume, smile and sense of adventure! Get one-on-one help with your resume, interview with an actual employer, learn how summer camps operate for people who are B/VI, learn to set up a tent and how to live in one, learn what to do to wake up a stubborn camper, learn to cut vegetables and fruit safely, and make lunch for yourself and one other person

Ask as many questions as you can think of about working a summer job of any kind, but especially a summer camp job. To register, contact Jereme Vanden Heuvel, vandenheuvelJ4@michigan.gov or Gwen Botting, gwen@oubmichigan.org. Event is free and includes lunch.

Come join us for a fun filled day at the BSBP Training Center! You will be able to tour the facility, meet some teachers, hear student testimonials, and become familiar with our services! This is an open and safe space to have questions answered, get concerns clarified and ultimately feel comfortable with sending your student or child to us. Please see below for details on date, time, and registration!

Food and Beverages will be provided! We hope to see you there!

When: Saturday, April 20, 2024

Time: Come anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Where: 1541 Oakland Dr., Kalamazoo, MI 49008

Register: TC Open House Registration

If you have any questions, please contact Jaclyn Scholten at ScholtenJ1@michigan.gov or (269) 337-3758.

Thurs. May 09, 2024, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Join the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons’ Braille and Talking Book Library to learn about various adaptive technologies and gain a better understanding of the skills needed to successfully use them.

The Keynote address will be given by Michael May, Executive Director of the Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind. Attendees will then choose to join one of the following breakout sessions that meet their individual needs:

• Mac Computing
• What's new in Jaws
• Victor Stellar
• Microsoft Narrator with Magnification
• And more!

Register at https://bit.ly/4crBUHL. Please note, if you are a BSBP student customer, your registration fee will be waived. Please select “No, I have not yet paid my fee” when registering.

Tue. May 14 – Fri. May 17, 2024

Sports Education Camp, a Michigan Blind Athletic Association (MBAA) facilitated program, will be at Western Michigan University May 14-17. This is a four-day, three-night highly interactive camp experience facilitated by staff in the field of Vision Rehabilitation, certified trainers, and Paralympians!

This opportunity is for BSBP students who are 14-18 years old. Interested in attending? Contact your BSBP counselor to be referred!

Wed. June 12 – Sun. June 16, 2024

The Adaptive Social Program Providing Instruction, Recreation, and Enrichment (ASPPIRE) No Barriers Summer Experience offers a five-day program filled with discussions, activities, challenges and fun, all aimed at fostering self-advocacy skills and personal development. ASPPIRE ensures a supportive environment with a staff ratio of one to four, supplemented by trained Eagle Village staff to facilitate camp activities.

This opportunity is ideal for clients aged 16 to 21 who are willing to engage in discussions, step out of their comfort zones, and are able to take care of their basic needs with minimal support. Interested in attending? Contact your BSBP counselor to be referred!

Fri. Aug. 9 – Wed. Aug.14, 2024

Get ready for a weeklong exhilarating deep dive into career exploration and how a Guide Dog fits into your future employment this August! Discover a variety of career options you may not have considered, the value of networking for both work and greater independence, compare mobility possibilities for travel to and from work and while on the job, vocational and employment resources and mentorship, and unique hands-on experiences with dogs. There will be ample time to connect with one another and make new friends and to enjoy the beautiful Pacific Northwest!

“Careers & Canine Connections” will be held August 9-14, 2024, for transition-age young adults ages 18-24 who are blind or have low vision. The program will be held at the Hull Foundation & Learning Center in Sandy, Oregon which is seven miles from our Oregon Guide Dogs for the Blind’s training campus.

Please visit the Careers & Canine Connections page where you will find the 2024 Participant Application form! The deadline to submit your application has been extended to May 1, 2024. Be sure to apply early as summer programs are popular and fill up quickly.

This week of excitement, learning and personal growth is an innovative collaboration between Guide Dogs for the Blind and APH Career Connect.

The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons Training Center (BSBPTC) is excited to provide many opportunities for training and learning in Summer 2024. Programming will take place between June 9, 2024, and August 11, 2024.

The summer programming will be split into three different summer sessions. Within these three summer sessions you can be registered for Workplace Readiness (WR), Post-Secondary Readiness Program (PSRP), Introduction to Workplace Readiness (Intro to WR), or Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) program. All programs will take place at the BSBPTC where students will reside in single occupancy dorm rooms.

Summer Session 1 

• WR: June 9-28
• PSRP 1: June 16-28

Summer Session 2

• WR: July 7-26 with an integrated 1-week financial literacy component
• PSRP 2: July 7-19
• Intro to WR: July 21-25
• STEM: July 21-26

Summer Session 3

• WR June 28-August 11 with an integrated Culinary component

Interested in attending? Contact your BSBP counselor to be referred!

Shawnese Laury, a caring, dedicated and person-centered mentor who has been with BSBP for twenty-one years. Our transition services team had the privilege of interviewing her this month, highlighting her insights and successes in the area of pre-ETS services.

Shawnese's journey into rehabilitation counseling stemmed from a personal connection with the agency. As a recipient of their services herself, she began this path in order to empower others facing similar challenges. Now, in the field, Shawnese goes above and beyond to make sure each parent, teacher and student’s needs are met. She will often travel to schools and homes to offer open communication and dispel any misconceptions about BSBP services. She emphasizes the role of servitude in her position, expressing her willingness to attentively listen and adapt to meet the needs of whomever she is counseling.

“When I see a student gain confidence in themselves, their abilities and a capacity to believe they can do something they thought was impossible prior to starting pre-ETS services, I am able to see why I do what I do,” said Shawnese.

For new students entering transition services, Shawnese recommends embracing every opportunity (like a sponge!), advocating for oneself, and exploring interests both in and out of the workplace to recognize potential career paths. From her standpoint, self-advocacy stands out as the most crucial pre-ETS service. Enabling students to advocate for their needs allows them to be independent and resilient, essential qualities for navigating adulthood.

Shawnese's dedication to students and their individual needs serves as an example of only one of the many dedicated counselors we have here at BSBP! Through her consistent determination, Shawnese continues to listen to and encourage visually impaired students to pursue their passions and strengths, reminding them that she is always there if they need any assistance in their journey into adulthood!

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.