Choosing a vocational goal is difficult, requires a lot of internal reflection and ultimately determines a big part of your future. Therefore, it’s important to research practical information, such as labor market trends, average salary and degrees needed to ensure your decision is not only aligned with your passions and values, but also realistic and sustainable in the long term.

A good first step is to look into the Occupational Outlook Handbook for the career you are interested in (below is the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor outlook for reference). This will list information such as the general job description, median pay, education needed and predictions for the next 10 years. If you don’t already have a career in mind, you can search by median pay, education, on-the-job training, projected number of new jobs, and projected growth rate.

Quick Facts: Rehabilitation Counselors

BSBP recently hosted “Bowling w/ BSBP” at Jax 60 Bowling Alley in Jackson where students, staff and families were able to enjoy a few frames of bowling, eat pizza and mingle. In partnership with Jackson ISD, the event brought together current and potential BSBP students and Jackson ISD staff.

BSBP Counselor Kellie Blackwell was able to meet and develop more rapport with many of the students she supports in Pre-ETS programming and other vocational rehabilitation services. The BSBP Manager and Consultant were able to discuss agency specific details and Pre-ETS programming models with Jackson ISD and students’ families. Most importantly, everyone had a little fun on a weeknight bowling, making new friends, connecting with familiar friends and even participating in several impromptu arm-wrestling matches. Connections were made beyond our expectations and new networks of support were developed among families.

The intention of this event was to remove the barriers to knowing community partners and provide an informal moment of education to students/families on the resources BSBP has to offer for their students. Families and ISD staff throughout the night frequently thanked and praised BSBP for holding this event and being intentional with our outreach to meet students where they are and bring the resources to them. BSBP is happy with such an amazing turnout and the impact this will have on future interactions and program offerings. Thank you, Jackson ISD, for your continued support and partnership.

Karen Wang, a Transition Specialist with the Michigan Alliance for Families, has created a series of short videos covering the tools available for families as their youth move from high school into adult life. These videos cover the Michigan Interagency Transition Team Guide to Transition and how to apply for services at BSBP. Families, self-advocates and transition staff and teachers are encouraged to review these videos to advance our common goal of creating positive outcomes for youth who have disabilities.

Follow up questions can be directed to info@michiganallianceforfamilies.org.

Lean In! Prep

Attention high school juniors and seniors! Do you want to turn your passion into income? Check out Lean In! Prep 2026, A Vanward Consulting Initiative.

Lean In! Prep is a program developed and facilitated for people like you by people like you. Lean In! Prep Explorers will learn about different career options that are aligned with their interests and will have the opportunity to collectively run their own small business.

As a Lean In! Prep Explorer, you will:

• Learn how to leverage your so-called disability for success.
• Participate in starting an online store.
• Sharpen your technology skills to be better prepared for higher education and/or future employment.
• Learn how to be individually accountable and effective within a team.
• Be paid for your hard work.

Participants in this innovative program must:

• Be a high school student.
• Have access to the internet for virtual meetings.
• Be a customer of state vocational rehabilitation (including BSBP)
• Be committed to participate in all Lean In! Prep group activities.

Students aged 14-18, join us for a Self-Advocacy Workshop Series led by Catarina Rivera, founder of Blindish Latina! This interactive program will give you the tools you need to be a self-advocate in every area of your life through hands-on activities, real-life scenarios and peer support and discussion.

By participating, you’ll learn how to:

• Speak up for yourself in everyday situations and the workplace
• Understand and overcome internalized ableism and microaggressions
• Explore Disability Pride and connect with the disability community
• Create and practice self-advocacy scripts in your everyday life
• Navigate accommodations, disclosure, and inclusion at work
• Set personal goals and build a toolbox for self-advocacy

Program Information: Six, 90-Minute Virtual Sessions

Dates: Jan. 27, Feb. 3, Feb. 10, Feb. 24, March 3 and March 10 

Time: 5:30 – 7 p.m. (EST)

To participate, please register at https://bit.ly/BLSAW by Friday, Jan. 9.

To learn more about Catarina, visit her website at CatarinaRivera.com.

SOAR West Region Program

The Grand Rapids Association for Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI) and BSBP are proud to offer The Skills Opportunities and Readiness (SOAR) program.

SOAR is a once-monthly Saturday program designed to help teens with visual impairments develop independent living skills and self-advocacy. This five-month employment training initiative will:

• Allow students to explore various workplace experiences throughout West Michigan, as well as enjoy cooking together and recreational activities (such as adapted sports)
• Offer skill development in budgeting, leadership, workplace readiness and learning about transportation options
• Provide an opportunity to build camaraderie and community

SOAR will take place at Mary Free Bed (350 Lafayette Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503) on Jan. 24, Feb. 21, March 21, April 18, and May 16. All program dates meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Transportation may be available for Kent County residents from Mary Free Bed.

In addition to completing the interest link, please contact your BSBP counselor to discuss your interest in this program. Applicants will also need to complete an IPE Amendment and the necessary Release of Information form(s).

Register here by Jan. 16 to participate!

BSBP Training Center – Detroit Mini Adjustment Program

BSBP customers who are interested in learning about services and potentially pursuing additional training, join the BSBP Training Center in Detroit for a Mini Adjustment Program! This program is intended to introduce adaptive techniques, build confidence and highlight the services provided by BSBP.

A variety of sessions include information regarding adaptive daily living skills, assistive technology and other blindness related services. This program also provides an atmosphere for customers to meet others with visual impairments.

Registration Criteria:

• Current BSBP customer
• New to services and/or blindness
• Have not attended a previous Mini Adjustment or received blind rehabilitation services from a training center or school for visually impaired
• Participant must be their own guardian or arrange for a personal care aide (PCA)

Dates: Sunday, March 15 – Thursday, March 19, 2026 (Family Program Component on March 19 at 2:30 p.m.)

Location: Double Tree Fort Shelby Suites (525 W. Lafayette Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48226).
Please note that participants staying overnight will be required to share a room. Meals will be provided!

Please reach out to your rehabilitation counselor by Friday, Feb. 13 to participate!

BOSS Program – Opportunity for Current MSU Students

Michigan State University Building Opportunities for Spartan Success (BOSS) is a semester-long program that provides MSU students with meaningful, paid on-campus work experiences related to their majors. This program is facilitated by the MSU Stride Center and BSBP and designed to provide professional development and workplace readiness training to students.

During this program, you can expect:

• Structured weekly meetings to talk about work and learn work skills
• Support with work advocacy & workplace accommodations
• Relevant work experiences that enhance essential skills like communication and networking

Personalized job coaching and ongoing feedback provide support as students build confidence, develop real-world skills and achieve greater independence.

This program is available to current BSBP customers and undergraduate, graduate and/or doctoral students enrolled at MSU who are in good academic standing.

Program Dates: February 9 - May 8  

Register here by Friday, Jan. 30.

MDE-RBLV Braille Challenge

Braille Challenge, hosted by MDE-RBLV, offers many options for participation! Students who are blind/low vision (BLV), in grades 1-12, and read or are learning braille are invited to participate in the 2026 Michigan Regional Braille Challenge.

This year, three events will be held at Kent ISD, Macomb ISD and virtually!

Braille Challenge is an academic competition unlike any other; this two-stage contest is designed to motivate students who are BLV to emphasize their study of braille, while rewarding their success with fun-filled, but challenging, regional and national events. After this initial round, students who qualify will be invited to compete in the Braille Challenge Finals, hosted by Braille Institute.

KENT ISD BRAILLE CHALLENGE:

• Location: Kent Career Technical Center (1655 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Parking Lot 1, Door D-4, Grand Rapids, MI 49525)
• Date: Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
• Contestants who are registered by Jan. 7, 2026, will receive an event t-shirt.

MACOMB ISD BRAILLE CHALLENGE:

• Location: Macomb ISD (44001 Garfield Rd. Clinton Township, MI 48038)
• Date: Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
• Contestants who are registered by Jan. 30, 2026, will receive an event t-shirt.

ONLINE BRAILLE CHALLENGE:

• Date: Feb. 21, 2026 (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
• Online meeting link will be provided

Gregory S. Fehriback Center Paid Work Internship

The Gregory S. Fehriback Center empowers college students with physical disabilities to find gainful and sustainable employment by engaging qualified college students in comprehensive and diverse paid internship opportunities. The goal is to assist students in being better prepared for full-time employment after graduation.

Since 2013, more than 250 students from 42 colleges and universities in the Midwest have participated in more than 500 internships with 46 employers in the Indianapolis area. This includes five students from Western Michigan University in summer 2025 and other students from Michigan.

The typical summer internship cohort size is 40 to 60 students. Students are paired with local employers to match their degree and career goals. Participating employers include: Ascend Indiana, BraunAbility, Christel House International, Cummins, the Eiteljorg Museum, Eli Lilly and Company, Eskenazi Health, Ice Miller, Indiana Pacers, Netlogx, Republic Airways, Roche, the State of Indiana and The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, as well as many local non-profit organizations.

Assistance is available through the internship staff for students who require housing, transportation in the Indianapolis area, assistive technology instruction, and orientation and mobility instruction. Housing can be provided free of cost near the Ascend Indiana Medical Center Complex.

Qualifications to participate in an internship:

• Must be a current college student (undergraduate or graduate with at least one year of college experience) or a post-secondary graduate within one year of the internship start date at a Midwestern post-secondary institution.
• Must have a physical disability (mobility, orthopedic, visual or auditory).
• Must have a competitive grade point average.
• Must include an updated resume and cover letter.
• Must have three letters of reference from faculty members, supervisors or a person who can speak to work ethic and attitude.

Applications for a summer internship are due by Jan. 31, 2026. To apply, students can email their resume, cover letter and three letters of reference to Larry Markle at larry.markle@eskenazihealth.edu and Carlos Taylor at carlos.taylor@eskenazihealth.edu. For additional questions, please call 317-880-3312.

Winter Universal Accessibility Day

Join the Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park for Universal Accessibility Day! Try winter sports adapted for people with disabilities — all skill levels welcome. Activities include:

• Luge
• Cross-Country Skiing
• Ice Skating
• Ice Biking
• Snowshoeing
• Track Chair Experiences

Date: Tuesday, Jan. 20

Time: 1-7 p.m.

Location: Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park (462 Scenic Drive, Muskegon, MI 49445)

For more information and to register for the free event, visit msports.org/open-house.

Hard Water Angling and Nature Explorations with OUB!

Join Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind (OUB) for an Ice Fishing program with Certified Ice Fishing Instructor, Maureen Stine! She will have some cool science to do in the woods and fields, too – science is real! And real science is real fun!

Program Date: February 15-16

Location: Camp Daggett, Petosky, MI

To register, visit oubmichigan.org or contact Gwen at gwen@oubmichigan.org.

MDE-RBLV Lead The Way Camp

Join MDE-RBLV at Camp Tuhsmeheta for Lead the Way Camp – a weekend event where participants will explore what it means to be a leader. Campers will learn about important characteristics of leadership as they take on fun challenges, play games, solve problems and collaborate with their camp friends. They will also hear from adults who are blind/low vision (BLV) about the skills and adaptations they use in leadership situations. Don’t miss this opportunity to develop valuable skills while making lasting memories with friends.

Audience: This event is for students in Michigan, ages 12-17, who are BLV

Location: Camp Tuhsmeheta (10500 Lincoln Lake Ave. NE Greenville, MI 48838)

Schedule: Friday, March 20 to Sunday, March 22

To learn more and to register, visit mdelio.org/events/lead-way-camp.

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.