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The Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is seeking motivated legally blind individuals to join its Contract Management Support (CMS) training program.
The federal government is facing a critical shortage of qualified contracting personnel, and the Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired has partnered with National Industries for the Blind to develop a training program to help meet this need while simultaneously providing high-growth career opportunities for people who are legally blind.
Contract management support (CMS) services include the tasks required to conduct contract close-out and administration. These tasks range from research and analysis prior to awarding a contract to contract negotiation and post-award vendor follow-up.
In 2008, the federal government spent over $500 billion on the purchase of various goods and services, but is facing a critical shortage of qualified contract specialists as hiring has not kept up with retirements and government demand has increased for contracted goods and services.
NIB’s mission is to enhance the opportunities for economic and personal independence of persons who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment. Careers ranging from manufacturing to call center operations, high-tech distribution and management exist through a nationwide network of associated agencies.
NIB is partnering with the Department of Defense’s Defense Acquisition University (DAU) to provide the core training courses required to establish a foundation on contract management. This is a 10 Week program and consists of four online courses and one on-site class. Tuition is free to participants who are eligible for this training.
In order to be considered for this program, candidates must:
For more information please contact Sam Rodriguez, Assistant Director Business Services, at 415-694-7360 or send resume to srodriguez@lighthouse-sf.org
Back To TopHello 2009 Olympians, Families and Teachers!
Register now for the 2009 Blind Olympics! We’re in our 26th year and better than ever! This year the events will be held on October 3, 2009 at the Hornet Stadium at California State University, Sacramento.
Society for the Blind, in partnership with the CSUS Department of Kinesiology and the City of Sacramento Departments of Parks and Recreation -- Access Leisure Section promises to make this year’s Olympics better than ever.
The Blind Olympics are for youth aged 18 and under who are blind or have low vision. Modifications for sporting events will address low vision and blindness needs only.
This year’s events include: 50 yard dash, 100 yard dash, discus throwing, shot put, javelin throwing, and the long jump. In addition, we’ll have a fun obstacle course for younger children.
We are once again offering a practice session to Olympians to learn about Olympic events and train with Olympic equipment. This is scheduled from 9:30 am-11:30 am on September 26th at the practice track at California State University, Sacramento.
Please note: this year, there is a fee for parking. Please bring 5 one-dollar bills for parking – the machines only accept singles.
Included in this registration packet are the following:
Please fill out and complete all portions of the registration form and the various release forms. Please send in all forms by Monday, September 21st. In order to compete, all participants must pre-register.
Registration forms and release forms can be mailed to:
Michelle Bruns
Blind and Low Vision Olympics
Society for the Blind
2750 24th Street
Sacramento, CA 95818
For more information, please contact Michelle Bruns at Society for the Blind at (916)452-8271 x328, or email mbruns@societyfortheblind.org.
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, October 3, 2009!
Please click here to download the registration form.
Back To TopThanks to the generosity of GDB Alumna Gina Harper, the Guide Dogs for the Blind Alumni Association invites you to apply for the Reach for the Stars, Solidoff Children's Scholarship. This is a $1500 scholarship for GDB Alumni who are pursuing post secondary education or training. The scholarship funds can be used to help offset costs of tuition, books, supplies, adaptive equipment, etc.
To apply, please submit the following: (electronic format preferred when possible)
Proof of enrollment in an accredited college, university, technical or trade school
in North America.
High School or College transcripts
An essay detailing what your future plans are and how the Reach for the Stars scholarship
will help you attain your career goals.
Please send the above to:
Guide Dogs for the Blind
Attn. Theresa Duncan
PO Box 151200
San Rafael, CA 94912
Or email to: tduncan@guidedogs.com Submission deadline is August 15, 2009. The Alumni Association Board of Directors Scholarship Committee will choose a winner by September 10, 2009. Good luck!
The Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) is a five-day leadership program for junior and senior high school students. The eighteenth annual YLF will be held July 26-30, 2009 at California State University Sacramento. The forum provides information on technology, resource agencies, education, and employment. During the forum, delegates participate in intensive workgroups that focus on advocacy and personal leadership plans. Delegates meet other peers with disabilities from all over California and interact with mentors in the community and learn about the legislation process. This five-day event has lasting life-changing effects on the delegates attending.
For complete details and to apply for YLF download and complete the on-line, fill-in application at: http://www.kintera.org/site/c.qmL2KiN2LtH/b.2229713/k.BDAD/Home.htm or write to: Youth Leadership Forum, c/o Trina Dangberg King
Employment Development Department, 722 Capitol mall, MIC 21
Sacramento, CA 95814
The California School for the Blind and Dept. of Rehabilitation sponsor and lead a residential 3-week career readiness workshop each July. Referred to, as the Summer Transition Education Program (STEP) this program is for high school student's ages 16 to 22. To be eligible for this program, students MUST be a consumer of the Department of Rehabilitation. Referral form and Authorizations are needed. Deadline to apply is April 17th. However extensions may be granted with advanced notice. Interested persons should contact Ann Linville, Director of Transition Services at CSB for more information and an application at 510.794.3800x262 or by email at: alinville@csb-cde.ca.gov. CSB STEP 2009 session begins July 12th and concludes on August 1st.
Back To TopThe Junior Blind of America (JBA) and the Dept. of Rehabilitation sponsor and lead two residential, 3-week career readiness workshops each June and July. Referred to, as the Summer Transition Enrichment Program (STEP) this program is for high school student's ages 16 to 22. To be eligible for this program, students MUST be a consumer of the Department of Rehabilitation. Referral form and Authorizations are needed. Interested persons should contact Gina Kegel, Director of Student Transition at Jr. Blind of America for more information and an application at 323.290.6281 or by email at: gkegel@juniorblind.org
*Please note that your consumers regardless of where in California they live can apply and attend either regional STEP program. Airfare, bus and or train travel expenses can be paid for via an authorization.
Back To TopThe Junior Blind of America (JBA) hosts year round Saturday STEP career workshops which serves as an introduction and or a follow up to their existing summer STEP program. Throughout the year, one day and weekend long career workshops are held with different career and college preparation themes. To be eligible for this program, students MUST be a consumer of the Department of Rehabilitation. Referral form and Authorizations are needed. Interested persons should contact Gina Kegel, Director of Student Transition at Jr. Blind of America for more information and an application at 323.290.6281 or by email at: gkegel@juniorblind.org.
Back To TopIn 2009 Blind Field Services is continuing its Business Enterprise Program - Youth Employment Program (BEP YEP) in Los Angeles, Fresno, San Francisco and Sacramento, BEP YEP provides for meaningful work experience for youth entering the workforce for the first time in a competitive but supportive working environment. Likely work includes working along side a successful blind adult in their vending business location working with food and assisting customers in cashiering. A formal referral is necessary and authorizations are done differently for each program. Please contact Richard Rueda, BFS Transition Coordinator for referral details, availability and agency contacts at 510.622.3083 or by email at: rarueda@dor.ca.gov.
Back To TopAnnouncing the annual Cal Poly Access Chemistry Project, a hands-on summer laboratory chemistry intensive for blind and sighted high school students, 2009 summer one-week program dates to be announced. The workshop will be held at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, California, and will be led by Dr. Dennis Fantin a Cal Poly chemistry instructor. Dr. Fantin, himself blind, and his students have developed techniques and procedures which make the chemistry laboratory a rich environment for vision impaired students. Interested students should contact Dr. Dennis Fantin at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at 805.756.1688 or by email at dfantin@calpoly.edu for details.
Back To TopThe Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) is offering an eight-day outdoor adventure program based in Colorado, specifically designed to challenge and empower teenagers with visual impairments through adventure, activities including ; rock climbing, white water rafting, camping and hiking. The program will begin and end in Denver, Colorado, from August 8th through 15th, 2009. This program is designed for teenagers between the ages of 15-19, who have a visual impairment, who are active physically and socially, and who possess skills with independence. Goals: For the student to increase? -Activities of daily living skills
Requirements:
Two-hundred blind and low vision students from all across the country will attend this five-day adventure that will engage, inspire, and encourage the next generation of blind youth to consider careers falsely believed to be impossible for the blind. Have you ever wanted to build and launch a rocket? Are you interested in learning about forensics? Or do you have an interest in journalism? The possibilities are plentiful at the NFB Youth Slam! This event will be held July 26th and run through August 1st, 2009 at the University of Maryland College Park. Interested persons should contact Karen Zakhnini, Education Project Manager at 410.659.9314x2293, by email at youthslam@nfb.org or by visiting the official web page at: http://www.blindscience.org/ncbys/Youth_Slam.asp?SnID=1337270839
Back To TopEach July the Society for the Blind headquartered in Sacramento hosts a ten-day Youth Summer camping retreat. This two-week program takes blind and visually impaired high-school age youth to a retreat setting in northern California where courses in activities of daily living, cane travel, financial management, socialization skills, career awareness, leadership coupled with recreational events are taught by blind mentors and staff. Interested persons should contact Michelle Bruns at 916.452.8271 or by email at: mbruns@societyfortheblind.org.
Back To TopLocated in Little Rock Arkansas, the nine-week summer College Preparatory Program offers three general areas of training: personal adjustment or adaptive skills, academic skills, and socialization skills. The course is offered on a formal basis each summer from mid-June through mid-August, and is also available on an individual basis upon request throughout the year. For more information, please visit: http://www.lwsb.org/college_preparation.asp or call 800.248.0734.
Back To TopIn July, The National Assoc. for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI) will host an international conference covering all aspects of raising a child with a visual impairment, the 2009 Families Connecting with Families conference will include:
The 2009 Conference will be held at::
The Hilton Hotel in Costa Mesa California from July 17th through July 19th, 2009. For more information, please visit: www.napvi.org.
The Summer Training and Employment Project (STEP) Program is designed to introduce blind teenagers to positive blind role models and to provide participants with summer work experience. Students learn alternative techniques in blindness and then work fifteen to twenty hours a week at a local business earning minimum wage. This unforgetable eight-week summer program is open to high school students who are seeking to learn valuable skills and build their resume through work experience. For more information, please visit: http://www.lcb-ruston.com or call: 800.234.4166
Back To TopThe exciting programs offered at the Colorado Center for the Blind for youth of all ages provide the experience of a lifetime! Students interact with other blind kids their own age to discover that their lives are not limited by their blindness. We fully believe in the importance of breaking the myths around blindness by confidence building, skills development, and learning from positive, blind role models. There are four different summer programs in which blind kids can participate. These are:
The Life 101 College and Employment Readiness program is an eight-to-ten-week training program to prepare college- and employment-bound high school and college students who are blind with skills and information to promote academic, employment, and social success. Note taking, using readers, ordering books in alternative formats, the role of offices for students with disabilities, time-management, social interaction with fellow students, extensive career exploration, becoming comfortable with blindness, dealing with the misconceptions professors and employers may have about blindness, nutrition and physical fitness as a college student or member of the workforce will be addressed. For more information, or to have an application for the Life 101 Program mailed or e-mailed to you, contact: Al Spooner by calling 800.597.9558 or email at: aspooner@blindinc.org.
Back To TopThe Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Washington and DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) sponsor the AccessComputing Alliance for the purpose of increasing the participation of people with disabilities in computing careers. College students with disabilities who are pursuing Computer Science and other computing majors are encouraged to join the AccessComputing Team. Team members are eligible for help with PAID COMPUTING INTERNSHIPS and MENTORING. The application is at: http://www.washington.edu/accesscomputing/team_app.html This project is funded by the National Science Foundation. For more information, or help with the application, students are encouraged to contact Julie Grant by email at jago@u.washington.edu or by phone at 206.685.3648.
Back To TopThroughout the school year the California School for the Blind offers a series of short courses designed for blind and visually impaired students. Week long courses cover specific areas that include rehabilitation services, math, Braille, Technology and Environmental Education to name a few. Students must be referred by their local school district. For a complete schedule of short course themes and application information on any of these Short Courses, please contact Barbara Maher by phone at 510-794-3800 x272 or by email at: bmaher@csb-cde-ca-gov.
Back To TopThe Rehabilitation Research & Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision at Mississippi State University (RRTC) would like to announce a special opportunity for youth who are blind. The RRTC will be conducting two online interventions: one for youth who are approaching graduation from high school and one for youth who are approaching graduation from college. The purpose of the interventions is to help prepare these youth for employment; therefore we are looking for participants who plan to seek full-time employment after completing their education. The interventions, which will be between 6 and 8 weeks in length, will take place in Fall 2009 and Winter 2010. Please note that these interventions will be FREE to all participants.
Requirements for participation will include the following:
We are currently trying to identify professionals who may be able to help us recruit participants in the coming months. Individuals who are interested in participating may also contact us for additional information. Please contact Lynda Goleman at the RRTC: 1-800-675-7782 or lgoleman@colled.msstate.edu.
Back To TopTransition Partnership Programs (TPP's) are offered through some high-school districts across California. Often known and referred to as WorkAbility 1 programs, part-time work experience and after school jobs and career preparedness seminars are offered including resume writing, interviewing, disability disclosure along with several other services. Not all school districts offer TPP/WorkAbility 1 programs. Please check with your Rehabilitation Specialist and local district TPP representative and refer your blind students accordingly.
Additionally, agencies including the Society for the Blind in Sacramento, the Lighthouse for the Blind in San Francisco, the southern California based Braille Institutes, Palo Alto's Vista Center for the Blind, Lions Blind Center in Oakland and the Blind Center in San Diego offer a variety of career readiness activities, workshops, seminars and informational events for youth and young adults. Please talk with BFS counselors in your area/unit to learn about these specific activities. Also be in touch regularly with each youth/transition program contact at these agencies to learn of activities available to your youth clients. Often these programs can be considered "comparable benefits" and or a "cost savings" as there are little to no cost to have students participate.
Back To TopCities and counties across the state often have summer job programs for youth of all abilities through what are often referred to as "summer employment programs for youth". Offered by the local city hall, library, parks and recreation and community centers, such jobs are seasonal to the summer and often have leadership programs built into them. Check with your city and or county government offices for details. Throughout the summer agencies including the Lighthouse for the Blind in San Francisco, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Enchanted Hills Camp (Lighthouse), Camp Bloomfield (JBA), and the Braille Institute may offer a handful of paid and unpaid counselor in training, internships and volunteer jobs. These are good summer gigs for youth looking for that first ever work experience. This is also good exposure for them to know what it takes to be in a working environment not to mention that this promotes healthy work habits, networking and builds confidence.
Back To TopThere are two Transition Councils that each meet up to three-times a year in northern and southern California. Each council meets to discuss and share resources for blind and visually impaired young adults. These sessions are excellent networking opportunities for Teachers of the Visually Impaired, educators, agency staff, rehabilitation professionals and parent advocates. Please contact Richard Rueda for more information on the Northern California Transition Council by telephone at 510.622.3083 or by email at rarueda@dor.ca.gov. And contact Cathleen Coombs-Stephens for more information on the Southern California Transition Council at 909.383.4298 or by email at: ccoombss@dor.ca.gov.
On Wednesday, May 13th, the Southern California Transition Council will meet from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM at the Junior Blind of America in Los Angeles. Potential presentation at this meeting may include a session on how the Dept. of Rehabilitation and Regional Center works in tandem when a consumer is active in both programs. To attend in person or by conference call, please contact Cathleen Coombs-Stephens.
On Wednesday, May 13th, the Northern California Transition Council will meet from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the California School for the Blind in Fremont. Presentation topic to be determined. To attend in person or by conference call, please contact Richard Rueda.
*Both Transition Councils invite you to join their email distribution list so that you can receive periodic updates on Transition happenings from the Dept. of Rehabilitation and community organizations.
Back To TopA web based resource created by the Northern California Transition Council to promote programs, resources and services offered from blindness and disability agencies from across California for transitioning young adults. Services offered across the nation for youth who are blind can also be found on this site. Visit www.transition2employment.com to start planning for the future today.
Back To TopIn California there are two well known student consumer groups that advocate on behalf of blind students, as well as host social and recreational events and seminars year round. These groups possess a wealth of student related resources for persons in high-school and in college. To learn more about The Blind Students of California, please call 800.221.6359 or visit their parent web-page (California Council of the Blind) at www.ccbnet.org. To learn more about The California Assoc. of Blind Students, please call 877.558.6524 or visit their parent web-page (National Federation of the Blind of California) at www.nfbcal.org.
Back To TopBy working with Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs) in your locally assigned school districts where an IEP exists, you may be able to get your students assessed for a low vision examination where the TVI can refer the student to the California School for the Blind's assessment center in Fremont. This can be considered a comparable benefit for consumers of the Dept. of Rehabilitation, however the referral can only be done by the TVI and or referring school district. Yet it is a good way to obtain an up-to-date low vision report.
The Sensory Access Foundation (SAF) in Sunnyvale via a DOR referral and authorization performs student technology evaluations for DOR consumer's transitioning from high school to college and or work. An emphasis in this evaluation is placed on which technology (often portable - when appropriate) can be best used when in class and on the job as well how it can be maximized for multiple uses. These evaluations will also suggest training and vendors who offer training in these areas when it is necessary for the student.
There are other centers and college labs across the state that may perform such evaluations for DOR consumers. Please check with your local/regional CSU technology contacts within Disabled Student Services as well as the Community Colleges to see if such technology evaluations are available. It is important to take into consideration that an evaluation for rehabilitation technology for a transition age student be considered early in the vocational rehabilitation process so that (when appropriate) necessary technology can be procured early in the student's senior year of high school so that familiarization and training on the equipment and software is performed and successfully retained. The student's high school district requires that any and all equipment and software loaned to the student during his/her post secondary education be returned on or just before graduation/exiting the school. Thus, the sooner DOR can procure and train the student on this same/similar equipment and software, the better prepared the student will be for entering college and the workforce.
Back To TopFollowing is a brief listing of meetings and workshops that focus on the Department of Rehabilitation's Blind Field Services outreach informational seminars to be held across the state in the first half of 2009. If you are interested in having an informational session on what DOR's Blind Field Services can provide to your students and consumers in your region, please do not hesitate to let us know of your interest.
Date: Open
Contact: Leah Gardner, 415-694-7364 or lgardner@lighthouse-sf.org
The Lighthouse of San Francisco is seeking highly motivated students to participate in a 12-month on site medical transcription course that will prepare them for competitive employment as highly skilled, certified medical transcribers. Students enrolled in this class will receive an intensive course of study that will give them the opportunity to excel as medical transcriptionists. This class, developed and taught by the Lighthouse of Houston, has resulted in a 99% employment rate among graduates. We know that many venues offer medical transcription training. However, this course goes beyond the mere fundamentals of transcription and prepares students with a solid foundation in medical terminology, understanding of human anatomy and the human disease process. Other courses offer a basic framework while the Houston model incorporates a knowledge base in to the educational structure that will set these students apart from other prospective employees.
Requirements for Success:
For more information, please contact Leah Gardner. E-mail: Lgardner@lighthouse-sf.org Phone: 415 694-7364
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Date: N/A
Contact: Michelle Bruns
Society for the Blind
Attention blind and visually impaired high school students!
Blindness 4 1 1 was created by the National Federation of the Blind to
give you a place to meet other teens with vision loss and to give you a
chance to learn about resources that can help you in school, at home and
in your community.
The NFB is the largest blindness organization in the United States. We have over 50,000 members who work hard to make a difference in the lives of blind people. We are excited to provide this resource to you and hope that you will tell your friends about us!
If you are currently a Facebook member, go to groups, search for the group using our group name and request access to our group. If you are not signed up for Facebook then join in on the fun! Visit www.facebook.com to get connected with our NFB teen group.
If you have any questions, call Rosy Carranza at 410 659-9314, ext. 2283 or email her at rcarranza@nfb.org.
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