VIDBE-Q 2026 Volume 71 Issue 3
determination. Participants reported increased confidence, stronger socialization
and self-advocacy skills, and greater readiness for college, employment, and adult
life. Students identified accomplishments such as navigating public transportation,
improving O&M skills, mastering cooking and laundry tasks, developing
leadership skills, writing resumes, preparing for interviews, and becoming more
comfortable advocating for themselves. Several students shared that they stepped
outside their comfort zones by living away from home, building friendships, and
participating in community activities.
Residential transition programs provide a unique opportunity to bring
together classroom instruction, community-based learning, independent living
experiences, and peer connection in a way that prepares students with visual
impairments for life beyond high school. While employment skills, college
readiness, orientation and mobility, and assistive technology are important
components of transition programming, some of the most meaningful growth
occurs through the everyday experiences of living, learning, and problem-solving
alongside peers. The outcomes observed through FBC's summer programs
demonstrate that when students are provided with structured opportunities to
practice skills in authentic environments, they develop greater confidence, self-
advocacy, independence, and a stronger vision for their futures. As organizations
continue to explore ways to support successful transitions to adulthood, residential
39
