Bureau of Services for Blind Persons presents achievement awards
The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) recently presented its Achievement Honor Roll Awards in Lansing. The awards are presented annually to BSBP consumers who are exemplary in achieving their goals for employment and/or independent living after vision loss; employers who have shown leadership in hiring people who are blind or visually impaired based on their abilities; and community partners for their collaboration with the BSBP in increasing opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired to achieve independence and/or employment.
Local winners include:
CONSUMERS: Ellen Seymour of Holland – Ellen has been a client of the BSBP for several years, starting as a Youth Low Vision client. She became known for her positive attitude, zeal for life and determination to take advantage of every opportunity. Ellen recently graduated from Grand Valley State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and is now a registered nurse working at the Great Lakes Adventist Academy in Edmore as a campus nurse.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS: Michigan Works! Grand Rapids – Karen Riggs and Maureen Downer at Michigan Works! in Grand Rapids have been instrumental in developing a unique partnership with the BSBP to encourage more BSBP consumers to utilize services provided at Michigan Works!, providing job search assistance and employment readiness to the BSBP consumers. As a result, an increasing number of BSBP consumers use Michigan Works! to better understand the labor market, attend local job fairs, and obtain help on their independent job search.
BSBP programs and services include:
—The BSBP Business Enterprise Program that provides blind individuals with opportunities for employment. The BEP operates vending routes and cafeteria facilities in state and federal government facilities as well as in a limited number of private sector buildings. The role of the BEP is to guide and assist the operator in achieving upward mobility.
—The BSBP Vocational Rehabilitation Program helps blind citizens become employed in a career that suits their current abilities. The program provides diagnostic evaluations and vocational counseling at no cost.
—The BSBP Braille and Talking Book Library serves people with visual impairments and offers a diverse set of materials.
The BSBP also has services that can help the blind and visually impaired access cutting-edge technology and provides training on the accessibility of iPhones, iPads and Androids, and the capabilities of screen reader programs.
For more information visit www.michigan.gov/bsbp or call 1-800-292-4200, TTY 888-864-1212
The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons is a part of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
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