<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 12 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Tahoma;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
panose-1:2 11 6 3 2 2 2 2 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Impact;
panose-1:2 11 8 6 3 9 2 5 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> NFBNet-Members-List [mailto:nfbnet-members-list-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Michell Gip via NFBNet-Members-List<br><b>Sent:</b> Sunday, February 12, 2017 5:15 PM<br><b>To:</b> nfbnet-members-list@nfbnet.org<br><b>Subject:</b> [Nfbnet-members-list] BLIND, Inc. PREP Program<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:center'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"'>Blindness: Learning In New Dimensions (BLIND), Inc.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:center;-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial'><b><u><span style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"'>P</span></u></b><span style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"'>ost-secondary <b><u>R</u></b>eadiness <b><u>E</u></b>mpowerment <b><u>P</u></b>rogram (PREP) 2017<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:center;-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial'><span style='font-family:"Impact","sans-serif"'>Learning+Recreation+Friends+Job=A Great Summer<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial'><span style='font-size:10.5pt'>Apply today to PREP 2017, a summer program for all blind/low vision high school students!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial'><b><span style='font-size:10.5pt'>When</span></b><span style='font-size:10.5pt'>: June 11, 2017-August 5, 2017!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial'><b><span style='font-size:10.5pt'>Where</span></b><span style='font-size:10.5pt'>: BLIND, Inc.: 100 East 22nd St., Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55404.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial'><b><span style='font-size:10.5pt'>Application deadline:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.5pt'> April 15, 2017. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial'><span style='font-size:6.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial'><b><span style='font-size:10.5pt'>What:</span> </b>This exciting 8-week summer program is designed to prepare students to reach their personal, academic, and professional goals as they transition to adulthood. The PREP curriculum empowers blind youth as they learn the alternative techniques of blindness and develop the self-confidence needed to become successful adults!<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.5pt'>Instruction</span></b><span style='font-size:10.5pt'>:</span><span style='font-size:6.0pt'> </span>The core classes include Braille reading and writing, independent cane travel, adaptive technology, career exploration, and home management, which includes cooking, cleaning, personal care, and daily living skills. Students also participate in regularly-scheduled discussion groups designed to build confidence and learn from blind peers and adults. PREP students live with fellow students and adult counselors in modern apartments with free wifi. Counselors and instructors serve as successful and positive role models. Students shop for groceries, prepare meals, and clean their apartments as part of their home and personal management training, while using public transportation on a daily basis. They begin to learn how to live independently while still in a supportive environment. Students develop problem-solving skills needed to take care of themselves and determine their own future!<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.5pt'>Getting A Job: </span></b>This program includes a three-week paid internship experience. Students will utilize the skills they have developed while earning minimum wage, working approximately 20 hours per week in local businesses and agencies. <o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;min-height: 15px'> <o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:6.0pt'> </span></b><span style='font-size:6.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.5pt'>National Convention:</span></b><b> </b>In July, PREP 2017 students will enjoy the exciting opportunity to accompanying BLIND, Inc., staff and adult students as we travel to Orlando, Florida to attend the week-long National Federation of the Blind convention. During this convention, our PREP students will join hundreds of other high school and college students from around the country when attending the National Association of Blind Students meeting. Students will also attend other meetings and seminars, learn about new ground-breaking technology, and get involved in social and recreational activities. This annual convention is packed full of great learning opportunities and fun experiences.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.5pt'>Other Activities: </span></b>Throughout the summer, the PREP students will also participate in a variety of fun activities, including going to Wild Mountain Water Park, camping, rock climbing, shopping at various malls, and much more. Don’t worry; there will be plenty of time to hang out with old and new friends!<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Contact Michell Gip, Youth Services Coordinator, at 612-872-0100, Ext. 231, or <a href="mailto:mgip@blindinc.org"><span style='color:#0433FF'>mgip@blindinc.org</span></a> for more information or an application. We can assist you to work with your local vocational rehabilitation agency to attend the program.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b>Apply today to ensure your space in this program!</b> <b>Applications are due April 15, 2017. </b><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial'>Information about our summer programs can also be found at <span style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#0433FF'><a href="https://www.blindinc.org/programs/summer/">https://www.blindinc.org/programs/summer/</a> </span><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Michell Gip, MAT, NCUEB, NOMC<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Youth Services Coordinator <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Blindness: Learning In New Dimensions (BLIND), Inc. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>100 East 22nd St. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Minneapolis, MN. 55404 <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Phone: 612-872-0100 ext. 231<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><a href="mailto:mgip@blindinc.org">mgip@blindinc.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>