Youth Enrichment Program
In order to prevent youth in the region from becoming part of
the staggering number of unemployed blind adults, it is essential for us as
a community to provide them the opportunity to develop the blindness skills
and confidence to successfully compete in the classroom and, eventually, the
job market.
In 1999, to address this challenge, the Society for the Blind created the
Youth Enrichment Program. This program is designed to teach blind youth in
the region the skills necessary to be successful in the classroom with the
ultimate goal of helping develop the skills necessary to be successful in
college and/or the work world work place.
The program includes monthly meetings, gatherings or events designed to
bring blind youth together in a social setting to discuss their experiences,
build positive attitudes and improve their own beliefs in themselves and
abilities.
A second aspect of the program is a 12-day intensive summer youth retreat
where the youth receive over 100 hours of blindness skills training,
including cane travel, Braille, adaptive technology, cooking and other daily
living skills. The backdrop for this learning experience will be a
traditional camp setting, where youth will also experience hiking, building
a campfire and customary camp activities.
Another component of the Youth Enrichment Program is technology events
focused on honing the youth’s computer and other adaptive technology skills.
While instilling confidence and positive attitudes toward blindness as well
as giving parents and teacher's of the visually impaired the opportunity to
network and find solutions to assist the youth in their lives with the
growing needs of adaptive technology..
Finally, the Youth Enrichment Program also sponsors the annual Northern
California Blind and low vision Olympics. This is usually held in early Fall
at Sacramento State university.
This day is designed to provide an opportunity for youth ages newborn to 18
to highlight their athletic abilities. The events usually held are the
following shot-put, discus, javelin, and 100 yard dash. This annual event is
a terrific opportunity for youth, parents, teachers and friends to network
and enjoy the day together and build a healthy sense of competitive
athletics and fun.
All components of the Youth Enrichment Program are led and managed by blind
instructors, who not only teach the youth the skills necessary to be
successful, but also serve as positive role models and mentors for the youth.
For more information on the Society for the Blind’s Youth Enrichment
Program,
please call (916) 452-8271 ext. 328 or e-mail us at
frontdesk@societyfortheblind.org
