[Nfbv-announce] Fw: LIFE and College LEAP Brochure

Thu Mar 12 15:52:16 UTC 2015

We have been asked to forward the following information.  This is an outstanding opportunity for Virginia's blind and low vision high school students.  Let's do all that we can to get this information to all students and their families.
If you have any questions, please do not reply to this email.  Please contact VRCBVI directly using the contact information at the bottom of the announcement.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Roane, Melody (DBVI) 
To: 'Mark Roane' 
Cc: Phelps, Amy (DBVI) 
Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2015 10:25 AM
Subject: FW: LIFE and College LEAP Brochure

Hello,

I am requesting your assistance in sharing the attached information with parents of blind and vision-impaired high school students.  This year at VRCBVI we are pleased to offer two summer programs for blind and vision-impaired high school students.  

The first program is our popular and exciting LIFE (Learning Independence, Feeling Empowered!) program.  It is a five-week program designed to give students the opportunity to focus on learning skills of blindness, participating in confidence-building activities, and performing work experiences in the community.  The program runs from July 12 through August 14.  Here are some of the comments we received from students who participated in the LIFE program last year:

I loved the instructors and how the classes get you to think and challenge yourself.

Using my cane and my eyesight together, I am unstoppable!  I've never been away from home for more than a week before.  I learned I can get a lot done without my parents.

I liked the recreational activities because they were different every day and challenged me to do things I had never done before.  Orientation and mobility helped me be sure of my surroundings and helped me know I can do things nonvisually or with my residual vision.

It was really awesome learning skills like slicing a tomato, which I definitely used at my job, improving slate and stylus skills, and analyzing intersections.  I feel much more confident about my ability to travel independently.

The staff did a great job finding me a job that was a perfect fit.  I will keep volunteering when I get home.

I learned how to use my other senses, not just my vision, which I never really did.  I also learned how to actually type, not just hunt and peck.  I've learned how to communicate with people better, and how to cook and take care of my home.

The blind instructors inspired me and challenged me significantly, and most importantly, they reminded me of what I'm capable of doing by myself. It's easy to let other people do things for us and to avoid doing things using our blindness as an excuse, but the instructors are individuals who take the bull by the horns and do what they want in life. I want to be like them.

The mentors were really good to talk to, and I learned about the strategies they use to be successful in college.

When I return home, I will be cooking more and doing things myself, such as chopping things in the kitchen.  I feel like I could live by myself and be okay.

I had never grilled by myself before, and I was glad to have gone to a baseball game independently.  I plan to grill in the future, and I won't shy away from attending large events and buffets by myself if I want to do so.

All I have to say is that this Program was the best summer program I've ever been a part of.  I hope to come here again in the future. 

In addition to the LIFE program, we are offering for the first time the LEAP (Learning Excellence In Academics Program.)  This five-week college prep program is designed for blind and vision-impaired high school students who are planning to go to college and who want to make sure they have the skills necessary to be successful in their academic pursuits.  The LEAP program is scheduled for July 12 through August 13.  We are very excited about this program because we are presenting it in partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU,) and the instructors for the program are VCU professors and graduate students.  We are emphasizing the STEM subjects.  Students will participate in a science lab throughout the program and will learn strategies for successful academic writing.  Students in this program will be housed at VRCBVI but will participate in classes and activities on the campus of the Medical College of Virginia in downtown Richmond.  Students will receive grades from their instructors, but these grades will not be reflected on a transcript.  We see it as a "try it before you buy it" opportunity.

If you would like additional information about these summer programs, please do not hesitate to call me at 804-371-3323 or Daniel Ashman at 804-371-3339.

Thanks for helping us get the word out to families who would benefit from these programs.

Have a great day!

Melody Roane, Director

Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind & Vision Impaired

401 Azalea Avenue

Richmond, Virginia 23227

Phone: 804-371-3323

Email: melody.roane at dbvi.virginia.gov

Twitter: @VRCBVI_Strong

Facebook: VDBVI

Worldwide Web: www.vrcbvi.org

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