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<div align="center"><b>2017 SUMMER TRAINING & EMPLOYMENT PROJECT
(STEP) Program<br>
STRIVING FOR SUCCESS<br>
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Since 1985, the Louisiana Center for the Blind has been changing what it
means to be blind for adults from across America. In 1990, a program was
created to address the needs of blind high school students. 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.<br>
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The eight-week summer program will consist of two components. During the
first part of the program, competent blind counselors will instruct the
students in the alternative techniques of blindness. Classes in Braille,
cane travel, computer literacy, and daily living skills will be taught by
qualified blind instructors. In addition, seminars will be conducted in
the areas of job readiness, job interviewing skills, resume writing and
job responsibilities. The second part of the program will continue all
aspects of training and expand to include an employment dimension.
Students will have the opportunity to participate in 40 hours of work
experience at a local business--for which they will receive the Federal
minimum wage. The staff will attempt to meet the job interests of the
students. Instructors from the Louisiana Center for the Blind will be
available to provide on-the-job assistance as needed.<br>
The combination of work experience and blindness-related skills--along
with fun-filled activities such as cookouts, swimming, mall excursions,
and various other outings--will foster self-confidence and independence
in blind teens. During the week of July 10 through July 16, students will
attend the national convention of the National Federation of the Blind in
Orlando, Florida. This exciting conference will allow them to meet
thousands of competent blind people from across the country. The students
will also have the chance to participate in a wide variety of informative
seminars and youth-oriented social and other activities. At the close of
the program, parents will be REQUIRED to attend a Parents’ Weekend which
will enable them to discover how much their children have learned
throughout the summer. The STEP program is designed to provide invaluable
work experience, friendships, opportunities for personal growth, and
cherished memories.<br>
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Training will begin <b>June 18</b> and conclude <b>August 12</b>. <b>We
recognize that there may be some overlap between the start and conclusion
of our program and school district dates. If accepted, we are happy to
coordinate with a student’s school district in this regard.</b> Please
visit
<a href="http://www.louisianacenter.org">www.louisianacenter.org</a> to
learn about more program specifics and to complete an application. <br>
<b>Due to limited space, we cannot guarantee that every applicant will be
granted enrollment, and applicants must have an open case with their
state’s vocational rehabilitation agency or other funding entity to cover
program costs. <br><br>
</b>Questions? Please call our Director of Youth Services, Eric Guillory
at 800-234-4166 or email him at
<a href="mailto:eguillory@louisianacenter.org">
eguillory@louisianacenter.org</a>. "Together, we are changing what
it means to be blind." Check out STEP and find out how.<br>
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BUDDY PROGRAM 2017<br>
Putting the Pieces Together<br>
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<div align="center"><b>Come and join us for a summer of fun and
learning!<br>
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Since 1989, the Louisiana Center for the Blind has offered an innovative
summer program for blind children in grades four through eight. This
summer, the Buddy Program promises to be full of learning opportunities,
new friendships, and fun-filled activities.<br>
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Many blind children have misconceptions about their blindness due to the
lack of positive blind role models and to the negative stereotypes about
blindness in society. Unlike other summer programs for blind children,
the Buddy Program is directed and staffed by competent blind adults.
Classes in cane travel are taught to instill independence and
self-confidence. The knowledge of Braille enables the blind child to
compete on terms of equality with sighted peers in the classroom and
provides a solid background in spelling and other grammatical skills.
Classes in access technology expose students to available mainstream and
adaptive solutions. Daily living skills instruction promotes equal
participation in household duties such as cooking, shopping, and
cleaning. In addition to learning valuable alternative techniques of
blindness, children will enjoy participating in a wide variety of
exciting activities such as swimming, camping, bowling, roller skating,
and field trips.<br>
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The combination of hard work and fun activities will provide a rewarding
experience that children will cherish. Involvement in the Buddy Program
helps them realize that it is not blindness that holds them back. Rather,
it is the negative attitudes and misconceptions about blindness that may
prevent blind children from reaching their potential. At the close of the
program, parents are REQUIRED to attend a Parents’ Weekend. This weekend
will allow them to interact with other parents of blind children and to
learn what their children have discovered about their blindness and
themselves. Friendship, training, fun, growth and interaction between
blind children and positive blind role models is how the Louisiana Center
for the Blind is “changing what it means to be blind.”<br><br>
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The Louisiana Center for the Blind will sponsor one session of the Buddy
Program in 2017. Program dates are <b>July 23-August 12</b>. <b>We
recognize that there may be some overlap between the conclusion of our
program and school district dates. If accepted, we are happy to
coordinate with a student’s school district in this regard.<br>
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Perhaps we will have the opportunity to work with your child this summer.
We know it will be a memorable experience for both you and them. All
interested families should visit
<a href="http://www.louisianacenter.org">www.louisianacenter.org</a> for
more details and to apply. Please also feel free to contact our Director
of Youth Services, Eric Guillory before April 17. Please email Eric at
<a href="mailto:eguillory@louisianacenter.org">
eguillory@louisianacenter.org</a> or call 800-234-4166.<br>
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<b>Due to limited space, we cannot guarantee that every applicant will be
granted enrollment. Please note that the fee for students not from
Louisiana is $1,000which is all-inclusive save for transportation to and
from the program. The fee for Louisiana students is $500.<br>
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Eric Guillory, Director of Youth Services<br>
Louisiana Center for the Blind<br>
101 South Trenton Street<br>
Ruston, LA 71270<br>
Voice: 800-234-4166<br>
Fax: 318-251-0109<br>
Twitter: ericguillory<br>
Skype: brllovingdad<br>
<a href="http://www.louisianacenter.org/">www.louisianacenter.org</a><br>
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<b>“Together, we are changing what it means to be blind.”<br>
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