2025 Summer EmployAbility Program
Pre-EmployAbility Weekend
Friday, April 11, 2025, 4:00 pm through Saturday, April 12, 2025, 4:00 pm
Summer EmployAbility Program
Dates for the Summer EmployAbility Program are
- July 7-18, 2025, for two weeks of on-campus classes
- July 21-August 1, 2025, for two weeks of paid employment.
Students will reside on the WCBVI campus for the entire four weeks,
July 7 – August 1. As Limited Term Employees (LTE’s) with the
State of Wisconsin, students will work up to 20 hours per week in their
assigned jobs.
Focus
The focus of the summer program will be on developing employment skills that lead to employment in the community. Students will have two weeks of classes in Employment Skills, Orientation and Mobility and Independent Living Skills.
Employment Skills class includes researching jobs, creating a resume,
learning to complete job applications and interview, communicating with employers and coworkers, learning about requirements of various jobs and what type of qualities employers are seeking in a candidate.
Instruction in Orientation and Mobility (O&M) will include learning about
community safety, safe travel to and from your place of employment,
exposure to the Janesville Transit System and shared ride services. It is expected that students will have basic cane skills upon arrival to the
program.
Independent Living Skills (ILS) includes use of basic kitchen items such as microwave, stovetop and oven, learning about healthy lunch options and preparing simple meals.
Who Will Benefit?
This program will benefit students who plan to live independently, work with no or minimal support, and/or attend a university, private, or technical college. This program is not part of a student’s IEP, nor any local district programming.
Eligibility
Students who are 16-21 years of age, who are blind or visually impaired and have attended high school in Wisconsin for the 2024 – 2025 school year, are eligible to participate. Students will become state of Wisconsin Limited Term Employees and must satisfy all hiring requirements. All students who sign up for the program will receive a certificate upon successful completion. The program is limited to eight students.
Program Requirements
In order to participate in the program, students must commit to the April 11-12 Pre-EmployAbility weekend and the full four-week summer program. Students must provide their own transportation to and from the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired campus in Janesville.
Podcast Interview
David Ballmann was interviewed about the EmployAbility program on episode 35 of the Badger News Podcast. You can listen to the interview here or find Badger News on your favorite podcast app.