Short Term Courses
Short term courses are available in addition to the core services of counseling, personal adjustment and vocational programs. They're offered as an alternative to the comprehensive programming. One or more of these courses can be taken at a time.
The enrollment choices for short-term courses include:
- Assistive Technology
- Vocational Evaluation
- Job Seeking Skills
- Small Business Management
- Two Transition Programs
- Independent Living Skills for the Elderly
The new courses are explained in more detail in the following text. Complete information with starting dates, prerequisites, and curricula is available upon request.
The LWSB staff developed working models of curricula for these short-term courses to meet the changing needs of the people who are blind or visually impaired. They will allow an even greater degree of flexibility in each individual's rehabilitation plan. Flexibility and individualization have been the keys to our successful program delivery for the last 60 years.
1. Assistive Technology
The LWSB Assistive Technology Learning Center has an extensive selection of hardware and software products on personal computers. A person can review the choices and learn to operate one or more assistive technologies. Always on the cutting edge of the latest technology on the market, the selection includes screen reader systems, scanners, or braille printers and devices. The training is useful for job retention, upward career mobility, academic work for high school or college students, and for home personal use for correspondence, record maintenance and money management.
2. Vocational Evaluation Services
Three specific tests are available for use individually. They are from a range of tests usually given in the comprehensive vocational evaluation. They require from three days to one week to complete.
- SAGE, aptitude/skill testing for a vocational goal
- Computer Programmer Aptitude Battery (CPAB), aptitude and ability tests
- Manual/Mechanical Skills, ability for mechanical assembly/repair work, or industrial/mechanical assembly line work
3. Job Seeking Skills
A new two-week course focuses on job seeking skills. The Career Training Center offers job seeking skills training that a person who is blind can utilize throughout his/her life. The Center can be utilized by a trainee with a current vocational goal or by a trainee who needs to explore vocational interests and options. The curriculum includes:
- Self-directed job search techniques, using resources like the Internet, Thomas Register, and newspapers and telephone books.
- Vocational exploration
- Career testing
- Telephone skills training
- Resume/cover letter instruction
- Employment application instruction
- Employer research training
- Interviewing skills training
The group activities also cover job site issues, goals, dress and grooming, self-organization, job retention, and much more.
4. Small Business Management
A six-week course teaches small business management. Training includes classroom instruction in financial and merchandise responsibilities, plus practical experience. The Assistive Technology Learning Center provides training in word processing and spreadsheet software in business applications.
5. Transition Programs
Two nine-week transition courses are offered in the summer. One is a new program for vocational readiness and/or to obtain a General Educational Development (GED) diploma. This program prepares the person for transition from school to work. The other program is the College Preparatory for transition to college that has been offered at LWSB since 1967.
6. Independent Living Skills for the Elderly
Elderly people who are blind are worked with on an individual basis for independent living skills. Staff members teach skills for daily living, communication, adaptive low vision aids, assistive technology for computers, orientation and mobility, or techniques to help with leisure activities.
