BISM’s Preparing for College Life Program (STAR)

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) is excited to run a week long program regarding college life for students. This residential program will provide participants with multiple college tours, conversations with disability service counselors, and discussions surrounding college life and accommodations. Students will reside in dorm style housing while experiencing a myriad of colleges across the state. 
Program Dates: Friday, June 14 to Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Ages Eligible: 14 to 21
Location: Baltimore, MD

With any questions, reach out to Juhi Narula at 410-737-2642 or jnarula@bism.org.

APH Monarch Training Opportunity for Maryland TVIs

MSB’s Outreach Department is very excited to be offering an in-person and hands-on training for TVIs on the APH Monarch. TVIs who attend the training will be able to use the Monarch with their students starting in Fall 2024. The Monarch is a 10-line, 32-character braille display with tactile viewing options. We truly believe that this braille device is going to revolutionize the education of our blind students. In this round, we are giving priority only to Maryland TVIs. 

The full-day training will take place on July 18 from 9 am to 3 pm at The Maryland School for the Blind. To be considered for this training, you must: 

1. Be a TVI in Maryland
2. Know the full braille code (contracted) and currently work with braille readers
3. Be willing to commit your time to show your students how to use the device in the fall 
4. Have permission from your supervisor (however that looks within your LEA) 
5. Agree to be photographed and recorded for APH and MSB use

If you decide to take part in this training, you will: 

• Attend a day-long training at MSB on July 18 from 9 am to 3 pm (you must attend for the full duration)
• Complete the Introduction to the Chameleon course on the APH Hive and provide us with the certificate by June 28th (our suggestion to start it now, as people on the waitlist who have completed the course will be given slots first) 
• Have the opportunity to loan out the Monarch to use with your students starting in the fall of 2024
• Provide written feedback about your experience with the Monarch 
• NOT post about it on social media or discuss it with the media

If you are interested in this opportunity, you must fill out the form to Apply for Monarch Maryland Training. Only a limited number of lucky TVIs will be selected in this phase of the training. We cannot wait for you to learn all about it! The deadline to apply is May 24. Reach out to conchitah@mdschblind.org with any questions.

NFB STEM2U

Save the date! The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland will offer an NFB STEM2U program on Saturday, May 4 at the National Federation of the Blind (200 E Wells Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230) from 9 am to 3 pm. STEM2U brings nonvisual accessible STEM lessons and activities to blind youth. Join us to build models of the James Webb Space Telescope, learn about the Earth’s atmosphere, discover why the Webb was sent to space, and explore how it studies space. STEM can be accessible; let us show you how!

Register for NFB STEM2U. Contact Erin Zobell at erin.zobell@gmail.com or 760-382-9466 with questions.

During the student program, parents will have the opportunity to participate in a workshop on helping their children succeed in STEM-related fields, led by our Maryland organization of Parents of Blind Children. Contact Garret Mooney at James.garret.mooney@gmail.com or 480-433-8003 with questions.

Careers & Canine Connections – Free Week Long Program

This week of excitement, learning, and personal growth is an innovative  collaborative effort between Guide Dogs for the Blind and APH Career Connect, a program of the APH Connect Center. Get ready for a weeklong exhilarating deep dive into career exploration and how a Guide Dog fits into your future employment. Mark your calendars for August 2024 and discover a variety of career options you may not have considered, the value of networking for both work and greater independence, compare mobility possibilities for travel to and from work and while on the job, vocational and employment resources and mentorship, and unique hands-on experiences with dogs. There will be ample time to connect with one another and make new friends, and to enjoy the beautiful Pacific Northwest!

August 9-14, 2024, for transition-age young adults ages 18-24 who are blind or have low vision. The program will be held at the Hull Foundation & Learning Center in Sandy Oregon which is seven miles from our Oregon Guide Dogs for the Blind’s training campus. Please visit our Careers & Canine Connections page where you will find our 2024 Participant Application form! The deadline to submit your application is May 1, 2024, and we recommend you apply early as summer programs are popular and fill up quickly.

Jane Flower MSG | Youth Outreach Specialist
jflower@guidedogs.com |  415.492.4176