Career and Community Adjustment Program (CCAP) – Pittsburgh, PA
This program through Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh has two summer programs to support students ages 14-21 with their post-secondary education and employment. The first program, Adjustment to Blindness Training, helps students develop accommodation skills needed to compensate for their vision loss or lack of vision. In this program areas of focus include orientation & mobility, cooking, grooming, maintaining a home/apartment. Participants also, engage with peers in a variety of recreational and leisure activities. The second Program, Employment and Technology Instruction, focuses on technology training and employment skills. In this program participants split their time between instruction activities and occupational opportunities, such as working at area businesses. Both programs offer the opportunity to participate in real world experiences while developing their skills to help lead a life with greater independence.
Check out Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh’s website to find more information on Career and Community Adjustment Program (CCAP) two summer programs.
Helen Keller National Center's Summer Youth Vocational Program - Sands Point, NY
“HKNC’s summer programs for deaf-blind young adults – ages 16-23 – can give student’s new insights into college and career options.” – HKNC Website
This six-week program focuses on the workplace and starts by shadowing a HKNC student who is deaf-blind in their job placement. As the program continues participants will have the chance to complete their own paid work experience. They work with a vocational trainer one-on-one. They will work with you to find a placement that meets your interests as well as provide on-site support.
During the six-week session, participants will also receive basic instruction in orientation and mobility, adaptive technology and communication strategies specific to the workplace. In addition, participants will connect with others in the program to discuss & learn from one another’s work experiences.
Check out Helen Keller National Center’ for Deaf-Blind Youth’s and Adults website to find more information on their Summer Youth Vocational Program and others they offer.
Helen Keller National Center's Young Adult Summer Program – Sands Point, NY
“HKNC’s summer programs for deaf-blind young adults – ages 16-23 – can give student’s new insights into college and career options.” – HKNC Website
This two-week program helps participants examine if college is right for them. It explores what it’s like to live in a dorm, what kind of careers are a good fit, and where to go for help when a need arises. This program will help participants identify strengths and weaknesses and provide current information and resources.
Check out Helen Keller National Center’ for Deaf-Blind Youth’s and Adults website to find more information on their Young Adult Summer Program and others they offer.
Jr. Summer Academy for Students who are Blind/Visually Impaired (including Deaf-Blind) – Kutztown, PA
This is a five-day program for middle school students (6-8 grades) filled with exciting and engaging experiences to promote access to and utilization of assistive technology as it relates to the student’s daily life, travel, school, and future employment. Students explore their capabilities in a fun and educational setting, while developing friendships with peers who also have visual impairments. This program is offered at Kutztown University – were students get a taste of campus life by sharing a dormitory room with another student as well as eating at a campus dining hall.
Junior Summer Academy is provided by The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation/Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (BBVS) in partnership with Department of Education/Bureau of Special Education, Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), and Kutztown University.
Summer Academy for Students who are Blind/Visually Impaired (including Deaf-Blind) – State College, PA
This is a three-week intensive program for high school students (grades 9-12) who anticipate attending a two- or four-year college or technical/trade school after graduation. The academy’s primary focus is to introduce the wide-range of skills and experiences necessary to have a successful post-secondary transition in education. Students achieve this by participating in a variety of activities and classes including techniques of daily living, travel skills, self-advocacy and networking skills, career awareness, social skills, enhancing access technology skills, low-vision rehabilitation, and STEM experiences. All students attending the academy reside at Penn State University in a dormitory. There the students share rooms, eat meals in a campus dining hall, and immerse themselves in other activities reflective of college life.
This program is provided by The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (BBVS), in partnership with The Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau Of Special Education, Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), Pennsylvania State University College of Education and College of Health and Human Development, in conjunction with Penn State Conferences and Institutes, and Science U and the Materials Research Science & Engineering Center.
Summer Academy for Students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing (including Deaf-Blind) – State College, PA
This is a three-week intensive program for high school students (grades 9-12) who anticipate attending a two- or four-year college or technical/trade school after graduation. The academy’s primary focus is to introduce the wide-range of skills and experiences necessary to have a successful post-secondary transition in education. Students achieve this by participating in a variety of activities and classes including techniques of self-advocacy and networking skills, career awareness, social skills, communication access options awareness, and enhancing access technology skills. All students attending the academy reside at Penn State University in a dormitory. There the students share rooms, eat meals in a campus dining hall, and immerse themselves in other activities reflective of college life.
This program is provided by The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (BBVS), in partnership with The Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education, Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), Pennsylvania State University College of Education and College of Health and Human Development in conjunction with Penn State Conferences and Institutes.
Overbrook Transition Vocational Initiative (TVI) Summer Program – Overbrook, PA
This is a three-week residential summer program for students ages 16-21 with a visual impairment, including deaf-blindness. It is intended for students who plan to work competitively, attend vocational training, or attend college after graduation.
It focuses on vocational experiences such as job searching and job shadowing. It includes job shadowing on work sites, job coaching support, and a paid job internship during the program. In addition, the program also focuses on independent living skills such as those needed to live in an apartment with a roommate, O&M skills (including public transportation), using assistive technology, and social skills.
This program is provided in partnership with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (BBVS) within the Department of Labor & Industry’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Check out this website to find more information on the Overbrook Transition Vocational Initiative (TVI) Summer Program.