Author: Mark Gamble

• News

Anastasia DeGuzman, Braille Instructor, and Derrick Strick, Training and Employment Instructor, (pictured above, left to right) were selected to present at the Dare to be Remarkable virtual conference that was held on December 15-17, 2020.

During their presentation, titled “Blindness, Literacy and Employment in the 21st Century,” they discussed the causes of blindness and provided breakdowns by age and employment status followed by a brief review of Braille research, literacy outcomes and the limited implementation of technology and instruction in relation to employment outcomes. Next, they gave an overview of the necessary instructional skills, technological skills and specialized equipment available to provide high-quality distance learning in Braille. Finally, they presented the components of a Proposed distance-learning Braille instruction Framework using the 4 Pillars of Andragogy and Structured Discovery Methodology. They also gave a demonstration of how instructors could remotely interact with consumers when teaching Braille online.

Dare to Be Remarkable is a three-day national training conference for education and rehabilitation professionals who work with blind and low vision transition-aged students or adults.

• News

Four consumers who completed the BRIDGE pre-apprenticeship training program were recently recognized in an online graduation ceremony hosted by the SCCB Training and Employment division.

Jessica Bynum, Janice Crosby, Courtney Rone, and Ryan Szymanski shared with attendees how the BRIDGE program had made a difference in their lives.

“I really appreciated learning the different approaches to customer service,” says Ryan. “It’s important to be professional and find the best solution to a customer’s issue, and to show you are a good representative for the company that hired you. The skills and confidence I gained through this program will help me become a great employee.”

BRIDGE (Building Readiness for Individualized Development of Gainful Employment) is a pre-apprenticeship training program that provides a career path for consumers into employer-based apprenticeships or direct placement. The 6- to 8-week training incorporates work readiness development, job shadowing, and a Job Club experience to provide consumers with skillsets that meet specific needs of industries and align with the consumer’s vocational goals.

The consumers received 72 hours of job readiness training, 60 hours of customer service training, and 120 hours of other job related education.

Earlier this year, BRIDGE was invited to be a pilot program with Apprenticeship Carolina, which will allow graduates to compete for apprenticeship opportunities in the Customer Service field. Graduates will also be considered as candidates for BlueCross BlueShield’s Customer Service Associate Apprenticeship program or a direct hire.

In addition to the certificate for completing the BRIDGE program, each consumer received a credential from the National Retail Federation (NRF) Foundation recognizing them as a Customer Service and Sales Certified Specialist. They also completed training accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training which prepared them to work in a variety of call center environments.

“This program has given me a lot of self-confidence,” says Janice. Although she had been in customer service previously, she said she’s learned how to be a much better representative now. “Thank you to everybody.”

Jessica agrees. “I really appreciated the whole experience. I learned a lot from the training. I know what to expect from [customers] and how to respond to them.”

Janice is currently in the application process with BlueCross BlueShield. In February, Jessica will begin employment with Conduent, a company which provides call center and other support services for businesses and industry.

Community and business partners who were in attendance included Gayel Wigfall, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant at BlueCross BlueShield; Tammie Anderson, Diamond Coaching Institute; Karen Crider, Palmetto ABLE; Raven Freeman, SC Works Midlands; Dr. Leigh Hicks, Footsteps 2 Success, Inc.; Olivia Heath, Apprenticeship Carolina; and Monika Lamb and Chinesa Brown, CP Johnson Enterprise.

• News

The Commission for the Blind was invited, along with the general Vocational Rehabilitation Department, to participate in a National Showcase hosted by the U.S. Department of Education and Mark Schultz, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Commissioner and acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

Commissioner Darline Graham provided an overview of the agency, followed by Kisa Grate, Director of Training and Employment, who spoke about the BRIDGE pre-apprenticeship training program. During her presentation, a video featuring Kristen Pratt from Apprenticeship Carolina was shown in which she shared how the BRIDGE program was benefiting consumers and businesses in South Carolina.

Next, Rhonda Thompson, Director of Older Blind, Children’s Services, Prevention of Blindness Services and Low Vision Clinic Services, discussed the challenges and successes of the Virtual Senior Camps offered for older citizens with visual impairments. Activities included a special music presentation, discussion of topics related to adjustment, shared stories of interest, plans to establish a book club, and a game night.

Finally, Zunaira Wasif, Director of Vocational Rehabilitation Consumer Services, spoke about the unique challenges faced by individuals who are blind or visually impaired, especially this year with the COVID pandemic. She shared how the agency has addressed these challenges through virtual workshops that covered topics as diverse as cooking and home management, how to travel safely in areas where there are no sidewalks, employment preparation, and using accessibility features of voting machines.

This was a great opportunity for the agency to share valuable information and best practices. There were more than 100 attendees from around the state and the nation.

• News

Governor Henry McMaster signed a proclamation at the State House on October 15, declaring that White Cane Day. Among those in attendance were SCCB Commissioner Darline Graham, and Ed Bible, Treasurer for the Foundation for the SC Commission for the Blind.

The mission of White Cane Day is to educate the world about blindness and how the blind and visually impaired can live and work independently while giving back to their communities, to celebrate the abilities and successes achieved by blind people in a sighted world and to honor the many contributions being made by the blind and visually impaired.

The white cane is an essential tool that gives blind and visually impaired individuals the ability to achieve a full and independent life. It allows them to move freely and safely from place to place—whether it’s at work, at school, or around their neighborhoods.

In 1964, Congress declared October 15 as White Cane Safety Day. While the white cane does keep blind people safe (because drivers and other pedestrians can easily see it), it is also a tool that blind people use to explore and navigate our environment. For this reason, the emphasis of White Cane Safety Day has shifted over time away from safety, and toward independence and equality. To emphasize the shift in focus from safety to independence, and to continue to use the white cane as a symbol, the National Federation of the Blind has chosen to refer to this day as White Cane Awareness Day.

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Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.

Lou Holtz