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  Issue # 15 | June 2024
Please see below for a corrected version of this month's newsletter - which provides the correct dates for Summer Session 3.
Pre-ETS Corner: Instruction in Self-Advocacy
What is Self-Advocacy?
Self-advocacy teaches you about your rights, responsibilities, and how to request accommodations or services you need.
Instruction in Self-Advocacy is an essential part of your pathway to effectively communicate your own needs, desires and rights in education, the workplace, and the community. It’s about taking charge of your life, making informed decisions, and ensuring that your voice is heard, especially as you transition into the workforce. For students who are visually impaired, mastering self-advocacy is an essential skill that can significantly enhance independence and confidence.
Don’t forget – self-advocacy is a skill that develops over time. Every step you take brings you closer to becoming a confident, independent individual ready to conquer the professional world.
What Will You Learn?
- Understanding your rights
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving
- Self-awareness
- Identifying and requesting job accommodations
- Confidence building
What are some Examples of Self Advocacy?
- Mentoring and Youth Leadership Programs.
- Workshops on goal development, time management, and work-life balance.
- Disability Awareness classes and peer support groups.
- Advocating for yourself in IEP/IPE/person-centered planning meetings.
- Decision-making skills and learning to make choices that align with your values.
- Accessing community resources like healthcare, recreation and social programs.
BSBP Programs that Incorporate Self Advocacy:
- Fishing with BSBP
- First Stay Away
- Take the Lead
- No Barriers Summer Challenge
- Practice Adulting
Want to Know More? Check out the BSBP Transition/Pre-ETS Services and Programs webpage and the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition Self-Advocacy webpage.
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Our goal is to help students aged 14 to 26 to successfully make the transition from high school to postsecondary education or employment. We offer lots of exciting camps and weekend trips to help you learn while having some fun and meeting other students who are Blind and Visually impaired across the state!
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Check out this list of scholarship and grant opportunities from around the country.
Please check the specific application deadline and requirements for each because they vary.
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Practice your self-advocacy skills: If you register for any BSBP programming, please contact your Rehabilitation Professional to discuss your interests and registrations. In most cases you will need to complete an IPE Amendment and the necessary Release of Information form(s).
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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 and August 11.
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), Practice Adulting Program, 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
- Workplace Readiness: June 9-28
- Post-Secondary Readiness Program 1: June 16-28
Summer Session 2
- Workplace Readiness: July 7-26 with an integrated 1-week financial literacy component
- Post-Secondary Readiness Program 2: July 7-19
- Practice Adulting Program: July 7-13
- Intro to Work Readiness: July 21-25
- STEM: July 21-26
Summer Session 3
- Work Readiness July 28-August 11
- Introduction to Culinary Careers August 9-11
Interested in attending? Contact your BSBP counselor to be referred! Questions? Call the BSBP Training Center at 269-337-3848.
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June 18 – August 20, 2024 (Virtual Session)
Leadership Summit: October 2024 (Date TBD)
Take the lead self-advocacy and leadership training program, facilitated by Eurisko Vocational Services, LLC, equips students with blindness and low vision with the skills necessary to advocate for themselves. The program also focuses on helping students develop skills necessary to be emerging leaders in their school, place of work and community.
The program focuses on four core areas (modules) of competency including:
- Self-awareness
- Self-determination
- Communication
- Leadership Summit
If interested in participating, please go to https://bit.ly/BSBP-TTL24.
Deadline: June 4, 2024
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June 21-23, 2024
Hilton Garden Inn – 110 W. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48502
The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan (NFBMI) Scholars track strives to support high school and college students, ages 14 and older, in their individual path towards both professional development and gainful employment. Of the variety of topics broached over the weekend, the NFBMI Scholars track works to support students in:
- Academic and Professional Ambition
- Skills of Blindness and Low Vision (Braille, Access Technology, Personal and Home Management)
- Vocational Assessment and Exploration
- Networking and Advocacy Skills Refinement
- Work Based Experiences
- Training in Nonvisual STEM Inquiry and Analysis
Along with the variety of presentations, seminars and activities outlined during the weekend, participants in the NFBMI Scholars track will have the opportunity to sharpen their live interview and professional document writing skills with local blind entrepreneurs and professionals. Participants take part in a mentoring program, where students will be matched with a professional with blindness or low vision who has similar academic, career or lived experiences; further illustrating the support that building a network of Blind scholars can provide.
The theme this year is the James Web Telescope! In collaboration with the Center of Science and Industry, join us for a weekend of excitement as we build and launch a rocket, build our own telescope and learn about the process of looking at different celestial objects in space.
This curriculum, designed by blind developers, taught by blind instructors, and facilitated by our organization hopes to show attendees that blindness is not a deterrent to getting active in the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).
If interested in participating, please go to NFBMI.org/real.
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July 29-July 31, 2024
Camp Tuhsmeheta – Greenville
First Stay Away is designed for individuals who have not stayed away from home overnight or have had very few opportunities. This program will give you a chance to boost your confidence, meet new people and have fun.
Activities include archery, wall climbing and unforgettable experiences. There will be adventures based on learning about wilderness safety and animal identification, cooking and kitchen safety, arts and crafts, and expressing emotions.
If interested in participating, please go to https://bit.ly/BSBP-FSA24.
Deadline: July 15, 2024
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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.
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Not a student currently working with BSBP and want to get in on the action?
BSBP has offices across the state and can meet you in the comfort of your own home and/or school. Contact our BSBP mainline at 1-800-292-4200 to get started or visit this link for office locations.
Questions for the Pre-ETS Team? Reach out to shackleym@michigan.gov.
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