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VIDBE-Q Volume 62 Issue 3
Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind: Teaching, learning, building
Imagine you're in a world where you're expected to have a job and live on your own, but
you don't know how to act appropriately in front of interviewers. You're not sure if your clothes
are a good match. You have trouble managing your money in a store. You can't even cook
much for yourself, beyond warming up a frozen dinner in the microwave.
When the Michigan School for the Blind (MSB) closed in 1994, opportunities for children
who are blind or have low vision to learn basic skills to help them live independently were
significantly reduced in Michigan. One of the facilities operated by MSB was an outdoor
education center on the west side of Michigan. Fearing that the property would be sold,
Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind (OUB) formed to try and save it. Once successful, they
quickly took on the role of teaching valuable skills to students who are blind or have low vision.
A hallmark of OUB then, and today, was to hire young adults who are also blind or have
low vision as camp staff, which allowed for the best learning experience for campers and gave
many staffers an important resume builder. OUB counselors and other staff members truly
understand the challenges of blindness and live it – and succeed - every day. OUB campers
and staff have gone on to become successful teachers, musicians, government employees,
researchers and business owners.
Gwen Botting,
Executive Director,
Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind,
Gwen@oubmichigan.org
Greg Botting,
OUB Camps alumnus,
gpbotting@gmail.com
