Pat Love, a BVI Education Consultant at the Michigan Department of Education - Low Incidence Outreach, is transforming the lives of students who are blind or visually impaired through her expertise in assistive technology. Using a personalized approach, Pat ensures each student is paired with the right technology, enabling them to access curriculum and perform essential tasks in their homes, schools, and communities.

Her work extends beyond just the students. By observing and working closely with parents and school districts, she helps integrate technology into academic learning and workplaces, ensuring it meets the specific needs of each student.

Pat emphasizes the importance of individualized assessments when selecting devices, acknowledging that what works for one student may not work for another. Challenges, such as the high cost of equipment, persist, but Pat advises staying informed and attending conferences to keep up with the latest advancements in assistive technology.

The impact of Pat's work is evident in the success stories she shares. From students who have gone on to work at Microsoft and Google to those who have become engineers, physicists and even astronauts, Pat's influence is undeniable. She reminds us all to keep asking questions, try new technologies, and never assume that one solution fits all. Through her dedication, Pat continues to help students achieve their educational and employment goals.

BSBP’s Pre-ETS team additionally had the pleasure of reconnecting with Monet (she/her), a Limited License Social Worker who is now making strides as an intern with the injury prevention department at Prescription for Hope. Monet’s role involves gathering resources for program participants, visiting correctional facilities to sign individuals up for workforce re-entry programs, and connecting hospital patients to essential resources.

Pre-ETS services, such as leadership and communication programs, have been instrumental in preparing her for these varied tasks, helping her gain invaluable skills through various roles such as office assistant and student ambassador. In her current internship, self-advocacy stands out as particularly useful.

"Through Pre-ETS, I've learned to advocate for my needs, no matter where I am,” Monet explained. “What I need should always matter, and as a self-advocate, I can also help others do the same."

Job exploration further provided her with the opportunity to explore different fields, such as social work, studying abroad, and job shadowing, which expanded her understanding and interest in her current path. 

As for her successes, Monet proudly shared her achievement of obtaining a license in social work, a milestone she credits to the belief instilled in her by Pre-ETS services.

"Pre-ETS helped me believe I could go to college. Without it, I would have never believed it was possible, especially coming from poverty." 

For students utilizing BSBP services and those starting with Pre-ETS, Monet offers insightful advice: "Keep an open mind. Understand that things may not be done the way you're used to, but that doesn't mean they can't be beneficial. Sometimes Pre-ETS programs can feel stressful or tiring, but they help build your organizational skills and make you a better version of yourself!” 

The Assistive Technology (AT) training program at the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons Training Center offers a personalized experience for individuals ages 14 and older, while sharing common goals across classes. The training focuses on leveraging built-in accessibility features of devices and software such as zoom, magnification, screen readers like VoiceOver or Talkback, braille displays, notetakers, and adaptive devices that interface with mobile platforms and computers.

Participants receive updates on the latest software and explore various mobile apps, and stand-alone devices suitable for individuals with blindness or low vision. Through hands-on practice in real-world settings, participants identify devices that are most useful to them, master app usage, identify strengths and weaknesses, and develop skills to navigate devices confidently.

This training aims to build confidence, transforming novice users into advanced AT users. Additionally, troubleshooting techniques, resources and support are provided to ensure participants can manage to resolve technical issues independently. Upon completing the program, participants depart with enhanced technology skills, equipped to achieve their vocational objectives. 

As the importance of accessibility and disability inclusion is increasingly recognized in key sectors such as education, business, culture, and in daily life, more companies are working to develop and bring to market innovative products and services that will improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. The demand for disability tech is growing rapidly to meet the needs of an estimated 1.3 billion people or 16% of the global population who live with a disability.

As technology is rapidly evolving with significant advances in what the industry calls “Disability Tech” or technology solutions for people with disabilities, we must stay informed of these innovations. For this reason, the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons has launched a “The BSBP Tech Team” composed of Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals from the BSBP Training Center, Field Services Division, Braille and Talking Book Library, and the Michigan Department of Education- Low Incidence Outreach. BSBP is in the process of adding three new and innovative devices to the technology the lending library manages. The Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, eSigth glasses, and AI-powered Envision Glasses are the industry’s most innovative smart glasses for people with visual impairments.

For more information on BSBP Programs, please go to michigan.gov/bsbp or michigan.gov/bsbptc.

November 8, 12-1 p.m.

Save the date for the upcoming Zoom webinar where BSBP transition consultants will be taking a deep dive on Potentially Eligible vs. Vocational Rehabilitation case types.

Stay tuned for additional information. Please direct any questions to LEO-bsbptransition@michigan.gov.

"We have 21-year-old twins that are both visually impaired. Sam has worked with our daughter on Pre-ETS and college readiness. She is encouraging, informative and so helpful. Our son is visually impaired and on the autism spectrum. Sam has worked closely with him and most recently recommended a week training at the BSBP Training Center. We are so grateful to Sam for showing us many opportunities for our children in their limited sighted world. We are so grateful for her expertise, encouragement and availability!"

Sam Duke’s journey into rehabilitation counseling began during her undergraduate degree, where she discovered her passion and ultimately pursued a master’s degree to specialize in this area. Driven by a desire to support students during crucial transitions in their lives, Sam has been with Pre-ETS since 2019 and stepped into a regional consultant role in 2023. She’s passionate about her job, particularly the variety it offers. No two days are alike, keeping her engaged and allowing her to be creative in the services she provides. Furthermore, meeting a diverse range of people—students, families and colleagues— fills her position, helps her learn and broadens her horizons.

Just before 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic forced the world into lockdown, Sam assisted a student who had dropped out of high school due to challenging home circumstances. Lacking vision support and feeling stuck, the student found hope through her counselor’s guidance, attending night GED sessions twice a week for over a year with Sam’s assistance. Together, they navigated the path to earning a diploma, and the student is now in her second year of college, living in her own apartment, engaged, and pursuing a career in elementary education.

To best support her students, Sam believes that forming strong connections starts with being genuine, supportive, and true to oneself.

“It’s about not being a robot,” she says. “[While] remaining professional, you must be yourself so the students can be themselves, too.”

Her advice to Pre-ETS clients is to embrace the discomfort that comes with growth. No BSBP student has been able to grow without taking a leap and doing something that makes them uncomfortable. In the end, Sam says, it will all be worth it.

Thanks again, Sam, for all of your hard work in keeping our students supported and taken care of. We appreciate you and all that you do for BSBP!

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.