If you are thinking about joining the workforce, there are many resources offering dedicated support for you! At BSBP, rehabilitation professionals will work with you to ensure familiarity with your work environment by providing one-on-one assistance. But there are other resources available as well.

Read on to learn about some of the benefits (as a BSBP customer) offered to you!

BSBP Employment Services:

• First, BSBP can assess a specific position and its essential functions to ensure a proper match between the job requirements and your skills and capabilities.
• Then, we can coordinate with employers to provide work experiences, which help determine if the role is a good fit. This offers exposure to the essential functions of the position and support and guidance before you are officially offered employment.
  • A list of employers that currently partner with BSBP to provide Work-Based Learning services include Asppire, Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Grand Traverse Industries, New Horizons, Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind, Selective Case Management, and Successability.
  • During the work experience, BSBP offers businesses financial support, such as paying training wages for a limited time.
• Finally, we can provide consultation and assessment services to determine adaptive technology, training and equipment needed to support you in completing your essential duties. Adaptive technology could include low-vision devices, computer software or magnification equipment.

Additional Services:

• Ticket to Work: If you receive Social Security disability benefits and are thinking about employment, the Ticket to Work program provides access to free services such as career counseling, job search assistance and benefits counseling.
• Michigan Works!: A statewide workforce development system offering job search assistance, resume workshops, training grants for employers, talent recruitment services and a job board.
• Job Accommodation Network (JAN): A source of free, expert and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability rights.

Incoming or current college students are encouraged to apply to a new MAER scholarship! Recipients will receive $500 annually. 

The application will require three essays, two letters of recommendation and a letter of acceptance to a college or postsecondary institution and is open to all individuals with a legal visual impairment regardless of field of study.

For more information and to apply by the March 15 deadline, go to michiganaer.com/scholarships.

Bridge Walk Program Community Kickoff

Join us for the Bridge Walk Community Kick-Off session on Saturday, March 14 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Merdian Mall in Lansing! At this introductory session, you will learn more about the Bridge Walk program, what it can offer you, and our shared goal of walking across the Mackinac Bridge this Labor Day (September 7, 2026)!

Attending this program is a great way to build a community and make new friends, engage in physical activity and get outdoors, maintain mental health and wellbeing, and promote positive views of blind people by raising awareness of their capabilities. Anyone is welcome to attend, including students, families, service providers, community volunteers and education partners!

The Plan: We will meet in Lansing once a month for group training walks and community building activities. On the big day, we'll shuttle to the bridge, tackle the Might Mac, and celebrate with a post-walk lunch. From February through June, we will meet on the second Saturday of the month from 11-2; we'll meet again in August for one last training session and to go over details for Labor Day.

TRAINING DATES: 

• Bridge Brigade Walk March 14 Training Session
• Bridge Brigade Walk April 11 Training Session
• Bridge Brigade Walk May 9 Training Session
• Bridge Brigade Walk June 13 Training Session

Registration is required for each monthly training session. 

Students who participate will be supported by BSBP staff and skilled Orientation & Mobility specialists throughout the program. Please reach out to Becca Flatt at flattr1@michigan.gov with questions!

MBAA Sports Education Camp

Join the Michigan Blind Athletic Association (MBAA) and BSBP for Sports Camp on May 17-20 at Western Michigan University!

During this program, you will have the opportunity to play team and individual sports (examples in years past included wrestling, judo, gymnastics, swimming, goalball, tandem cycling, cross country, and more!) and develop personal health and fitness goals.

Furthermore, you will get to explore information and skill-building to enhance your future employability including access to community resources, personal hygiene, social and organizational skills, teamwork, proper diet and nutrition, and conflict resolution and communication! You will also learn how to advocate for yourself and your needs as a person with a vision impairment.

This camp is a great opportunity to stay in the dorms, make friends, work with certified trainers and Paralympians, and be active and get outside!

Register by April 17 on the Sports Camp 2026 page. Contact Leanne Ford via email at fordl1@michigan.gov or 231-340-3400 with any questions.

Stride Center – Spartan Works Program

Spartan Works is a seven-week work-based learning program on Michigan State University campus in partnership with Residential and Hospitality Services and Athletics. The program will include Vocational Discovery and Assessment, Pre-Employment Career Readiness Series and a paid Work-Based Learning Experience. You need to be a BSBP customer to participate!

The program runs Monday through Friday on June 8–July 31, from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. There will be no work/programming June 29–July 3 in observation of the July 4 holiday. Registration is open until April 17 or until the program reaches capacity.

Phase 1:

• Vocational Discovery & Assessment
• Pre-Employment Career Institute

Phase 2:

• Pre-ETS Work Based Learning Experience

Register for Spartan Works here.

Still have questions about this program or other Pre-ETS programs in Central Region? Contact Brittany Hamilton-Reed at 734-209-5855 or HamiltonReedB@michigan.gov.

Summer Youth Employment Training Program

Are you a student in Ingham, Shiawassee and Genesee Counties looking for PAID summer work experience? BSBP and Peckham bring you the Summer Youth Employment Training Program.

Phase One:

• Students will meet 1:1 with a Peckham specialist to identify their vocational interest, abilities and aptitudes
• Students will attend group classes designed to increase their knowledge and comfort level regarding entering the world of work

Phase Two:

• Students will participate in a four-week paid work experience at a local employer for up to 20 hours per week
  • Work Experience Timeline (choose one)
    • Session #1: June 15-July 10
    • Session #2: July 13- August 7
  • Peckham will schedule a wrap up meeting with students and BSBP to review outcomes and discuss next steps

If you still have questions attend one of the following Zoom Information Sessions:

• March 11, 4-5 p.m.
• March 17, 6-7 p.m.
• March 23, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Register for Summer Youth Employment by April 17.

Any questions? Contact Brittany Hamilton-Reed at 734-209-5855 or HamiltonReedB@michigan.gov.

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.

Northern Connections Camp: Bringing BLV Families Together in the UP

Families of students who are blind/low vision and live in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula are invited to attend an enriching getaway at Bay Cliff Health Camp. Families will have an opportunity to connect with each other and build relationships while participating in recreational activities such as peaceful guided hikes, goalball sessions with experts, making arts and crafts, and enjoying interactive campfires. Come experience the beauty of nature while creating meaningful bonds in a supportive and inclusive setting. 

Audience: This event is for families living in the Upper Peninsula with students who are blind/low vision, in K-12 grade.

Location: Big Bay

Schedule: Check in on May 1 at 5 p.m. and check out on May 3 at 2 p.m.

To learn more and register, visit the Northern Connections Camp page.

Family Camp: Race to Escape

For this event, Camp T’s staff has decided that campers and their families are ready for a bigger challenge: The gates have been locked, and puzzles and clues have been scattered around camp. Families will use skills such as puzzle-solving, teamwork, orientation and mobility, reading and more to escape the camp before the end of the weekend.

Come join MDE-RBLV as they participate in this exciting escape-room-style game! Overnight cabin accommodations will be provided for each family if requested. Please note that cabin spaces are limited.

Audience: This event is for school-age students in Michigan who are BLV and their families.

Location: Greenville

Schedule: Check in at 10 a.m. on April 11, and check out at 10 a.m. on April 12.

To learn more and register, visit the Family Camp: Race Escape page.

Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind (OUB) of Michigan has several camps and fun opportunities coming up for low or no cost!

Winter 2026 Programming

• Tandem Bike Event – Island State Park – Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
  Come have fun on a bicycle built for two!
• Camp Clean Up Day – Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  Help us get ready for camp season! Lunch is included.
• Garden Day – Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  Plant our camp garden! Take home a planter filled with seeds to watch grow into food! Lunch is provided for this free event.

Summer 2026 Programming

• Cooking and Serving Camp – June 14 – 19
  Includes CPR for all campers and staff.
• Discovery Science: Your Senses Camp – June 21-26
  More inclusive look at how our other senses (besides vision) affect us and inform us – nature, architecture, discoveries to make!
• Family Day – June 26
  Stay after Discovery Camp or come al la cart! Family Day is a ton of fun – explore the garden, the greenhouse, play games, learn more cooking skills! Every age is invited!
• Mini O&M Camp – June 28 – July 1
  Bus travel, ride share, other options – city travel, O&M phone apps.
• Adventure Trip to Lake Itasca, Minnesota – July 5-16
  Kayak the headwaters of the Mighty Mississippi River! Discover Native American art and culture. Tubing in Lake Charlevoix on our way back to Grand Rapids!
• Bicycle Camp – July 20-24
  Two half-days of bike riding and one longer day. Includes Self-defense classes. Tons of fun!
• Arts Week – July 26-31
  Music, Theater, Movement, Art, Chopped Challenges! Veggie Bots! Accessible Arts of all kinds!!!

For more information or to register for any of these opportunities, visit oubmichigan.org or contact Gwen Botting, gwen@oubmichigan.org or 616-755-2221. Also, check out OUB’s feature on the Eyes on Success podcast!

Leader Dogs for the Blind invites you to two free summer opportunities designed specifically for teens who are blind or have low vision! Both programs are delivered by Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialists and are provided at no cost to families (including travel, housing and meals).

Teen Orientation & Mobility (O&M)

One‑week of individualized instruction.

• 2026 Dates: June 7–13, July 12–18, August 2–8
• Format: One‑on‑one O&M instruction tailored to the teen’s goals.
• Supporter component: A parent/adult supporter travels with the teen; both stay on the Leader Dog campus and participate in select learning sessions to build skills for supporting independent travel at home.
• Who it’s for: Teens who have completed at least one year of high school.

Learn more about Teen Orientation & Mobility here.

Leader Dogs for the Blind Teen Summer Camp

One‑week of group experience.

• 2026 Dates: June 21–28
• Focus: Fun, confidence and independence, exploring mobility options, leadership development and peer connection. Campers meet guide dog mobility instructors, experience accessible GPS and participate in activities like rock wall and zip line. Bonus: Campers receive an accessible GPS device from HumanWare.
• Who it’s for: Individuals aged 16–17 (no intent to train with a guide dog required).

Learn more about Teen Summer Camp here.

Leader Dog – In Home O&M

Leader Dog also offers free in-home O&M training to customers who may otherwise face long waitlists or barriers to service. The week‑long program provides 25–35 hours of one‑on‑one instruction, delivered either on campus or directly in a customer’s home and community, allowing training to occur in environments most relevant to their daily travel.

To learn more about this opportunity, see the O&M page on the Leader Dogs for the Blind website.

Join the Foundation Fighting Blindness on Saturday, May 2 at 9 a.m. for their 19th Annual Michigan VisionWalk at Kensington MetroPark in Milford!

VisionWalk is a 5k-style fundraiser with all proceeds going to the mission of the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Sign up for a day filled with entertainment, family-friendly activities, refreshments and the opportunity to connect with others who share a commitment to the Foundation's mission!

For more information, see the Michigan VisionWalk 2026 page or contact Alex Fehr at afehr@fightngblindness.org.

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.