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VIDBE-Q Volume 62 Issue 3
Summer Academy: Penn State University
As future teachers of the blind and visually impaired, we find it mandatory to continue our
education throughout the summer months. The best and most effective way to do this is to
acquire a job in the field of vision. The two of us chose to pursue Summer Academy, a summer
job that takes place at Penn State University (PSU) in State College, Pennsylvania.
Summer Academy is a college preparation program for students who are blind or visually
impaired. The purpose of Summer Academy is to prepare these students for their life after high
school. The way that Summer Academy accomplishes this is by having the students take part in
a plethora of classes that will give them skills and lessons to take with them into the "real-world".
The classes include assistive technology, vocation training, vision rehabilitation therapy, social
work, orientation and mobility, PSU summer session classes, recreation and team building, and
low vision classes. This year, 23 high school students completed the 2017 Summer Academy
and learned a whole new skill set that they can take with them and use for the rest of their lives.
At Summer Academy, we were hired as resident assistants. In total, there were 30
resident assistants who worked at Summer Academy. Our role was to help the students
throughout all activities during the course of the day. We took them to and from their classes,
McKenzie Fagan,
Kutztown University,
Student,
mfaga922@live.kutztown.edu
Brittany Guerrieri,
Kutztown University,
Student,
bguer331@live.kutztown.edu
