White Cane Safety Walk Followed by Lunch and Learn

The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina will host a White Cane Safety Walk in recognition of White Cane Awareness Day on October 15. The Walk will begin at 9:30 am at the Federation Center on South Kilbourne Road in Columbia. Following the Walk, at the Federation Center a proclamation will be read about White Cane Awareness Day, and guest speakers will reflect on the history of white cane laws. Lunch will be offered afterward.

SCCB staff will have a display different types of canes and share how they may be used.

For information about attending this event, contact the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina at (803) 254-3777.

When: October 15, 9:30 am – 1 pm

Where: 119 S Kilbourne Rd, Columbia, SC 29205

White Cane Awareness Day in Myrtle Beach

White Cane Awareness Day is October 15, a date is set aside to celebrate the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and the symbol of blindness and tool of independence that many of them use: the white cane. 

Join SCCB staff and other attendees to walk the trail around the ponds (the walk is about one mile). There will be demonstrations of how to use a white cane and vision simulators available for attendees to experience different types of visual impairments.

Yoga classes for kids and adults will be offered, with the option of wearing a blind fold for the “Yoga in the Dark” experience, by Foundation for Fighting Blindness staff.

Thanks to Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired South Carolina and Foundation for Fighting Blindness for assisting with this event!

When: October 15, 9 am – 12 pm

Where: Grand Park, 1119 Farrow Parkway, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

White Cane Scavenger Hunt at State House

In recognition of White Cane Awareness Day (October 15), a group of SCCB consumers will participate in a scavenger hunt on the State House grounds in Columbia, SC on Monday, October 14.

This is a great opportunity to increase understanding of orientation and mobility tools and recognize how they assist individuals who are blind and visually impaired in living and working independently.

An SCCB O&M instructor will be present to demonstrate how a white cane is used, the different types of canes and cane tips, and provide information about SCCB services.

Thanks to Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired South Carolina and National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina for assisting with this event!

When: October 14, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Where: State House grounds, Columbia, SC

SCCB Summer Teen 2024

SCCB’s three-week Summer Teen program will begin Monday, June 10, 2024, and end Friday, June 28, 2024. The Extended Summer Teen program will begin Monday, July 15, 2024, and end Friday, July 26, 2024.

All five weeks will be held on University of South Carolina’s campus in Columbia at the new Campus Village dormitories (1315 Whaley St, Columbia, SC 29205). Students will arrive on campus each Monday and return home on Friday of each week. If needed, transportation may be provided by SCCB; contact your counselor or the Transition Services Lead with any questions.

Who can attend?

SCCB’s Summer Teen program is free and open to any student who is:

  • Age 13-21; AND
  • In a secondary, postsecondary, or other recognized education program; AND
  • Currently receiving Vocational Rehabilitation services from SCCB.

Students should be able to manage their own daily living activities. Contact your SCCB Counselor or the Transition Services Lead to discuss any questions or concerns you have about SCCB’s Summer Teen program.

Application deadline is Friday, May 3, 2024. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. It is recommended that you submit your application as soon as possible. Due to limited space, not all applications may be accepted. Parents and teens will be notified by Friday, May 17, 2024, of acceptance. Additional program information will be sent with the acceptance notice.

To apply for the Summer Teen program, contact your SCCB counselor!

Save the date for Summer Teen 2023

It’s time for Summer Teen at the South Carolina Commission for the Blind!

From internship experiences and opportunities for personal growth, to developing friendships and exploring career options, SCCB’s Summer Teen Program provides students ages 13-21 who are blind or have low vision with the knowledge, skills, and resources to help them achieve their academic and career goals.

Informative and fun workshops and activities include:

  • STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)-related projects
  • Exploring career possibilities and post-secondary education options
  • Work-based learning opportunities based on individual career goals (for students on the worker track)
  • Self-advocacy
  • Self defense
  • And much more!

Summer Teen will begin on Monday June 12, 2023, and end on Friday June 30, 2023. The three-week program will be held at SCCB’s Training Center in Columbia. Students will arrive on campus each Monday and return home on Friday of each week.

Who can attend?

Summer Teen is free and open to any student who is age 13-21 and currently receiving Vocational Rehabilitation services from the South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB).

The application deadline is May 5, 2023. Please keep in mind that applications will be considered on a first come, first served basis, and submit your application as soon as possible. Due to limited space, not all applications may be accepted.

To apply for the Summer Teen program, contact your counselor!

Children’s Summer Camp 2021

June 26 – July 1, 2021

The annual Children’s Summer Camp, hosted by NFB Successful Transitions, is for children who are legally blind, aged 12 and under. It will be held at Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind in Pickens County from June 26 to July 1, 2021.

Activities will include canoeing for kids at Table Rock, virtual story hour with the state library service, technology day (courtesy of Vispero/Freedom Scientific, who will demonstrate various types of assistive technology), Braille activities, independent living activities, and more. Many of the senior and junior counselors and administrative personnel will be legally blind individuals.

SCCB partners with Successful Transitions to help promote this event and provide other resources.

Summer Teen Program 2021

June 21 – July 31, 2021

The 2021 SCCB Summer Teen Program will feature two activity paths: the Independence Track, which will help students prepare for future internships, and the Worker Track, which will provide an internship experience for eligible students.

The program will take place from June 21 through July 31. The first week will be held virtually for both tracks. After that, activities and events will be held at different locations in Columbia. The final week will be held at Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind in Pickens County.

Students on the Worker Track will have internship/work experience opportunities offered by Carolina Wildlife, edVenture, and other partners.

SCCB’s Summer Teen Program offers Pre-employment Transition Services workshops in conjunction with Successful Transitions.

Virtual Spring Senior Camp 2021

May 21, 2021

The Virtual Spring Senior Camp will be held Friday, May 21, from 10am to 2pm. About 20 seniors are anticipated to attend, and will participate in networking opportunities, social time, and an interactive game. Helpful resources will be provided, with a focus on new offerings from the Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired for short recordings, podcasts, and other options. There will be a discussion about independence and relying on one’s abilities.

For more than 30 years, SCCB has partnered with the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina to offer this event.

Student Internship Program 2021

May 19 – August 6, 2021

The 2021 Student Internship Program (SIP) will provide an opportunity for six SCCB consumers who are post-secondary students (in 2 or 4 year degree programs) to participate in an internship related to their major. It will begin with a three-day virtual orientation from May 19 – 21, which will include workplace etiquette, self-advocacy, resume writing, interview skills and mock interviews. Then, between June 1 and August 6, the students will intern at Freeway Music in Columbia, Orangeburg County Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, SCCB’s Assistive Technology Department in Columbia, ABC Academy Daycare in Saluda, Courage Center in Lexington, and the Richland County Public Defender’s Office in Columbia.