VIDBE-Q Volume 69 Issue 3
Once a student turns fourteen, they are eligible to apply for Vocational
Rehabilitation services through the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired
(DBVI). There are a variety of activities and programs students can participate in,
facilitated by DBVI staff and community partners, Catholic Charities Maine, and
the Iris Network.
One such program is LIFE Camp (Learning, Independence, Fun and
Employment). LIFE Camp is a two-week residential program for transition aged
students with visual impairments. The program addresses pre-employment
transition services (pre-ETS) and is facilitated by a multidisciplinary team of
professionals, including VRT's, O&M's, TVI's, Blindness Rehabilitation
Specialists, and VR Counselors. Students work on developing adaptive home and
personal management skills, including cleaning, budgeting, food prep,
organization, and orientation & mobility skills. They identify their strengths and
interests and learn how it connects to employment. Students participate in firsthand
career exploration by meeting with various employers to tour worksites, learn
about available jobs, and engage in volunteer opportunities. The students learn
about appropriate social skills, disability disclosure, and basic interview strategies.
They receive instruction in assistive technology and learn about options to best
meet their needs. Students have opportunities for leisure activities to foster fun and
peer connection. Self-advocacy skills are an integral part of the program,
