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The following comes from Charlene Guggisberg, Coordinator for Youth and
Special Programs at BLIND, Inc. Please share widely. The text from the
attached PDF is shown below.<br>
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Warm Greetings from BLIND, Incorporated <br>
It is once again time to start making plans for your summer. This year
the PREP, Post-secondary Readiness Empowerment Program, our eight-week
program for blind high school students, will run from June 9 to August 1,
2014. <br>
This exciting summer program is for blind high school students and is
designed to prepare them for academic, employment, and social success.
The PREP curriculum is designed to empower blind youth with the
alternative techniques of blindness they will need to be successful in
the college and the career fields they choose, and to give them the
confidence and belief in themselves they need to find and keep a job.
<br>
The core classes include Braille reading and writing, independent cane
travel, adaptive technology, Career Exploration, and home/dormitory
management as well as daily seminars where they have the opportunity to
discuss various issues related to blindness and develop positive
attitudes about themselves as blind people. <br>
PREP students live in apartments with fellow students and adult
counselors. These 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 in career exploration they learn about note taking,
accessible accommodations, and disability services on college campuses.
They begin to learn how to live independently while still in a supportive
environment. They develop problem-solving skills and come to realize that
they will be able to take care of themselves and take responsibility for
their own futures. <br>
This program is based on a positive view of blindness, that if blind
people are given proper training and opportunity, they can be successful
in education, find meaningful employment, and live full and productive
lives. <br>
Traveling to Orlando Florida <br>
In 2014, PREP students will enjoy the exciting opportunity of
accompanying BLIND, Incorporated staff and adult students when we travel
to Orlando, Florida to attend the weeklong national convention of the
National Federation of the Blind, the largest annual gathering of blind
teenagers and adults in the world. 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 seminar and participate in other meetings and seminars and learn
about new ground-breaking technology. This annual convention is packed
full of fun and great learning opportunities and experiences. <br>
Throughout the summer the PREP students will also participate in a
variety of fun activities from Wild Mountain Water Park and camping, to
rock climbing, and shopping at the Mall of America. <br>
For more information or to complete an application, you can visit our
website at <br>
<a href="http://www.blindinc.org">www.blindinc.org</a> or call
612-872-0100 (ext. 251), or toll free 800-597-9558, or e-mail
cguggisberg@blindinc.org<br>
Sincerely, <br>
Charlene Guggisberg <br>
Coordinator for Youth and Special programs<br>
<br><br>
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