Much of the information above came from BSBP’s postsecondary focused vendor spotlight for June – Skill and Ability Education! Skill and Ability works to support individuals in highlighting their unique skills and abilities, while also providing education and opportunities to promote independence. They focus on a person-centered approach that recognizes strengths while providing the support necessary to achieve success.

Skill and Ability’s work is highly collaborative, all stemming from their mission to promote inclusion and love of working with people! For Pre-ETS BSBP students, Skill and Ability is able to provide virtual services statewide (including self-advocacy, work readiness training, postsecondary training, and job exploration workshops, as well as work based learning experiences) to those residing in Washtenaw County. Reach out to your BSBP rehabilitation professional if you are interested in a referral!

For more information, go to SkillAbilityEd.org.

On April 1 and 9, many of our Pre-ETS students had the opportunity to attend Growing Through Career Conversations in Grand Rapids and Belleville. The event allowed students opportunities to network with role models who are blind or have low vision. Panelists, including Ahmad Al-Jaafeel, Renee Echols, Tiffany Crossley, Devin MacDonald, Camilo Glas and Scott Lacey, shared how they found their careers, including how self-advocacy, determination and confidence played a role in their journey.

The session further provided information for both students and parents on social skills, disability laws and policies, disability disclosure, requesting accommodations, and how to file a discrimination complaint. Students and families shared that the event met their expectations and they learned useful information!

A special thanks to everyone who attended and to all contributors and collaborators – BSBP staff, MDE-RBLV (formerly MDE-LIO), SuccessAbility and the Michigan Department of Civil Rights!

Each year, BSBP asks all graduate students who are blind or visually impaired to apply for the Roy Jonhson Scholarship. Students who obtain this scholarship can use the funds to apply to room and board costs, tuition or reader services! Any legally blind person regardless of gender, race, color, religion or age, and who has received a bachelor's degree from an accredited college in the U.S., may be considered as an applicant.

Factors considered in determining beneficiaries are the financial condition of the applicant and their family and the applicant's scholastic record. Consideration is also given to the recommendations from college faculty and officials and to the applicant's intended use of their post graduate college education.

Typically, the funds are sent directly to the school, and if a student is not living on campus, they would obtain a refund from the educational institution.

The deadline for this year is June 30. Go to the Scholarships and Grants for Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired page to apply and for a list of additional scholarships for students with visual impairments! Please email JonesA108@michigan.gov with any questions.

The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget has released its summer teen employment forecast for June-August 2025. The Michigan labor market has tightened with unemployment rates having risen since last year.

In the coming months, many Michigan teens will be entering the labor force, some for the first time, as they search for summer employment. Teens seeking a job this summer should expect a more competitive labor market compared to the past few years. View the full report here.

Workplace Readiness Training

When: Sunday, July 6 - Friday, August 1, 2025

Are you seeking customized training for workplace readiness skills and wanting to learn how to improve and refine your skills to be successful in post-secondary education or employment? Come join us for customized training to develop skills necessary to get job ready. Complete Workplace Readiness and STEMM Camp, and you’ll qualify to receive a pair of Ray-Ban Meta glasses!

This is a customized training for Pre-ETS students to target areas that have been identified as needing improvement for success in a post-secondary environment or employment. Training can be available for participants needed enhanced training throughout the summer. Training can include computers, assistive technology, self-advocacy instruction, career exploration, braille, adaptive living techniques, orientation and mobility, finance education and leisure activities.

Eligibility: Students ages 14-26 years old who are blind or low vision and who are interested in intensive residential training at the BSBP Training Center Campus.

Registration Deadline: Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Practice Adulting!

When: August 3-8, 2025

This program is designed to help transition teenagers into adulthood. It will use real world situations to create a safe environment where teenagers can practice the financial aspects of being an adult.

• Paid Work Experience – Work a retail job at Goodwill in Kalamazoo.
• Appropriate interview clothing – Buy appropriate clothing for an interview with money provided by BSBP.
• Choosing and renting an apartment – Compare apartment amenities, learn about paperwork needed to rent an apartment and how to sign up for utilities.
• Budget – Learn how to budget work salary to pay for rent, utilities, other needs, wants and savings.
• Compare transportation options – Compare money and time costs for different transportation options.

Eligibility: Ideal candidates for this program should be 16-18, planning on living independently as an adult and interested in getting more experience with financial independence. Background check, work permit and medical forms are required.

Registration Deadline: June 14, 2025

R U Ready?

When: Sunday, August 3-7, 2025

Are you unsure of the commitment to stay overnight at a residential training facility such as the BSBP Training Center, but think you could benefit from such a program? Come join us for a four and a half-day program where you will experience what the Training Center Campus has to offer.

Participants will reside at the BSBP Training Center and complete programing on-site and within the local community. This will include self-advocacy instruction, career exploration, adaptive living techniques, orientation and mobility experiences, finance education and leisure activities. This program is intended as the first step in preparation for future transition services to help students meet their goals.

Eligibility: Individuals ages 14 years old or older who are blind or low vision, have additional functional limitations, and who have NOT previously stayed overnight at the BSBP Training Center and would like to discover if they are ready for an extended intense residential training.

Registration Deadline: June 27, 2025

Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM) Camp

Date: July 27-August 1, 2025

Thinking about planning your education and career journey? Would you like an opportunity to learn first aid basics? Check out the STEMM Camp to see where science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine might take you!

The STEMM Career Exploration Lab program utilizes a combination of the latest in 3D printing and wearable AI assistive technologies, specially designed 3D printed tactile models, kinesthetic activities, STEMM field trips to local museums and businesses, and talks with successful STEMM professionals who are blind to teach astronomy and important STEMM concepts to students to better prepare them for STEMM educational and career paths. Students learn more about accessibility of STEMM classes, careers in STEMM fields and how to use some of the latest 3D printing and AI assistive technologies.

The program helps reduce accessibility barriers so students are better prepared to pursue a STEMM education and career. Students will have an opportunity to learn medical technology (AED machines), learn about first aid basics, and an opportunity to earn CPR certification. The STEMM component is in partnership with scientists from the San Jose State University’s Department of Physics and Astronomy and NASA.

Eligibility: Students in grades 8-12 who are blind or low vision and who are interested in learning more about the STEMM field.

Registration Deadline: June 27, 2025

For more information, please contact your local BSBP field counselor or the Training Center at LEO-BSBPTrainingCenter@michigan.gov or (269) 337-3848.

Students in high school, college or in an approved gap year, consider applying for LEAP, a paid virtual work experience this summer. From July 7-August 8, students have an opportunity to work remotely for up to 12 hours per week alongside a team of their peers!

Students will learn about either marketing or coding and apply their newfound skills to a project. Participants attend meetings with supervisors, consultants and peers, work independently on projects, complete a timesheet and more.

Students must be able to independently access Zoom, communicate effectively on various platforms (i.e. phone, email, text), work independently, problem-solve daily challenges, manage time appropriately, and complete and submit hiring paperwork as required.

Register by June 6 here.

Students aged 12-17 who are blind and low vision – join the Michigan Department of Education Resource for Blind/Low Vision (MDE-RBLV) at Camp Tuhsmeheta for their annual Outdoor Adventure Camp! Campers will experience many adventures at this three-night camp.

Participants will have an opportunity to hike, practice archery, play sports, scale the climbing tower, swim, fish, create art and enjoy campfires. Campers will also have the option to set up and stay in their own individual tents for a night. Don’t miss out on making camp memories with friends!

The program will take place at Camp Tuhsmeheta (10500 Lincoln Lake Ave. NE, Greenville, MI 48838) from Sunday, June 22 to Wednesday, June 25. The cost will be $5 per camper.

Register here by June 4.

For more information, contact MDE-LIO Events, mde-lio-events@michigan.gov.

Middle and high school aged students (11-17 years old) who are blind/low vision and interested in learning to cook and bake, test your skills for creating delicious dishes!

Join the Michigan Department of Education Resource for Blind/Low Vision (MDE-RBLV) for the Top Chef: Independent Living Skills Camp at Camp Tuhsmeheta for a couple of fun days in the kitchen along with some built-in evening camp activities!

Learn how to cut and peel veggies, grill a sandwich, brown meat and prepare fun food fit for serving guests! You will create sweet bread, paninis, pastries, veggie pizza, shepherd’s pie and a Mediterranean couscous bowl! Families are invited to join us on Saturday night to enjoy dinner with their Top Chefs before heading home!

Location

Camp Tuhsmeheta
10500 Lincoln Lake Ave. NE
Greenville, MI 48838

Check in at 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, 2025, and check out at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2025.

Cost: $5 per camper

Register by June 30 here.

The Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies at Western Michigan University (WMU) invites you to participate in the first annual Southwest Michigan Vision Resource Fair! This free event aims to bring resources, vendors and service providers together in one location for the benefit of the blind and low vision community, their allies and advocates. 

When: Saturday, July 19, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Western Michigan University College of Health and Human Services (1240 Oakland Drive, Building 145 Kalamazoo MI 49008-5218)

Location: College of Health and Human Services, 4010 (4th floor)

Parking: Visitor Parking is available on the main lot. All are welcome and encouraged to attend!

Learn new information, view product demonstrations, seek support and find assistance. View the flyer here.

This summer, the Virginia Department for the Blind and Visually Impaired (VDBVI) is hosting Cyber Warriors, a virtual program where students can learn about technology like robots, drones and computers. Participants get to try fun, hands-on activities and learn new skills that help them feel more confident using technology.

Programming will be offered through many different Zoom one-week sessions held from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., including:

1. Introduction to Cybersecurity: Cyber Defense 101 (June 16-20)
2. Foundational 3D: Crafting Ideas into Reality (June 23-27)
3. Mastering 3D: Advanced Printing & Modeling (July 7-11)
4. Robotics 101: Building & Automating the Future (July 14-18)
5. Build & Play: The Ultimate Gaming PC Building Workshop (July 21-25)
6. Skybound Coding: Advanced Drone Programming Mastery (July 28-Aug. 1)
7. Hack the Hackers: Ethical Hacking for Beginners (Aug. 4-8)
8. AI Unleashed: Introduction to GenAI & LLMs (Aug. 11-15)

For more information and to apply, visit the VDBVI student activities page.

BSBP is excited to welcome Chris Roach as our new West Region Transition Consultant, where his role will be to learn and develop new Pre-ETS opportunities and programs for west Michigan! Chris worked for BSBP as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor from 2013 to 2021, where he enjoyed developing relationships with his customers, learning their life stories and helping them progress towards their employment goals.

Previously, Chris was a high school math teacher and has been an adjunct professor at Western Michigan University since 2011 in the Holistic Studies Department. He is very dedicated to his family and has volunteered for many years as a scout in multiple sports and school activities. When Chris isn’t working, you can usually find him enjoying the outdoors, hiking, camping or cross-country skiing.

Chris encourages Pre-ETS students and families to attend BSBP programs in person (at least one every summer!) as they are great investments of time towards future employment goals, networking and friendships. Furthermore, he advises participating in work experiences—they are invaluable towards learning what potential career pathways one enjoys (and doesn’t enjoy), gaining personal and professional skills, and being able to earn and manage incomes.

Students and families can feel free to contact Chris at roachc4@michigan.gov with questions about programming and individualized needs!

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.