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SEE Program

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Olmsted Center in partnership with the New York State Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH) will once again offer its highly successful Summer Employment Experience to high school students throughout New York State.

As Summer Employment Experience (SEE) participants, blind and/or visually impaired students between the ages of sixteen and nineteen will spend five weeks (June 27 - July 30, 2010) learning about the world of work. They will gain state-of-the-art technological training, work skills training, independent living skills and the opportunity to work in a supervised job setting. The college dorm-based living arrangement will allow the participants to develop strong and productive relationships with their young adult peers and the mentoring and supportive staff. The program is designed to ultimately instill in the participants a healthy work ethic, a desire for self-sufficiency, a strong sense of self–accomplishment, and an educational experience that will make them attractive to potential employers. The program provides ongoing opportunities to share social and work experiences and concerns, receive individual and group guidance regarding their potential career paths, and the opportunity to hear speakers on topics ranging from career development to personal growth and wellness. They will also learn about budgeting, independence, self-esteem development and the refinement of their career goals and other related life skills in a safe and confidential place.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

It is expected that by completion of the program participants will gain in the following:

Knowledge and understanding of career opportunities and related work requirements across a variety of occupational settings.
Familiarity and proficiency in state-of-the-art adaptive technology for the blind and visually impaired.
Knowledge and attainment of employability skills.
Paid work experience.

These objectives will be accomplished though classroom instruction, technological training, work experience and supportive services.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

The proposed project will include the following components:

Orientate the participants into the program’s overall goals, objectives and methodology; introduce staff; and clarify both staff and student roles and responsibilities.
Provide the opportunity for students to be exposed to a variety of career opportunities and the required academic and work-related skills necessary to successfully pursue them.
Develop employability skills including: work ethic development, interpersonal skills, resume building, interview skills, appearance and dress, personal hygiene and telephone skills. These skills will be addressed through staff and guest speaker lectures, and participants role play and practice sessions.
Provide participants a specific job in their areas of interest with ongoing support as needed to insure a successful work experience.

TECHNOLOGY TRAINING

All participants in the SEE program will receive computer literacy and adaptive technology instruction in one of Olmsted Center’s state-of-the-art technology labs. The intent of this training is for the students to gain independent skills in the use of technological adaptations for the blind and visually impaired.

WORK EXPERINECE

The work experience component is designed to increase the participants’ understanding of and skills required in the world of work. The participants’ work placement is designed to provide a meaningful, satisfying experience that provides youth with the ability to learn about the world of work and to reduce individual barriers to employment. Each placement will be aligned as closely as possible with the occupational interests and capabilities of the participant and the needs and demands of the worksite.

SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

Each participant in the SEE program will have access, as necessary and appropriate, to the services and the staff of Olmsted Center including: job coaches, orientation and mobility training, career exploration and activities of daily living training.

APARTMENT LIVING

Olmsted Center and the New York State Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH) have partnered with Canisius College to provide supervised dormitory accommodations and meals for all participants on a work-week basis for the duration of the program. Weekends are spent at home. In the apartments, they will have the opportunity to experience independent living and spend time with their peers having fun and forming friendships.

For students participating from outside the WNY area, weekend supervision, activities and meals will be available provided Olmsted Center is given sufficient notice of their application for the program so that we can make the necessary staffing arrangements. It will also be necessary for these students to meet with one of our job placement specialists for an assessment and to visit the site where they will reside for the duration of the program prior to being accepted to the program. We must meet a minimum participant requirement to run a weekend program.

Please visit our website at http://www.olmstedcenter.org/Home/Services/Employment-Placement/SEEApp for an application or contact the Placement Department at 716-882-1025.