BLIND INDUSTRIES & SERVICES OF MARYLAND

Programs: Industries division, office stores, cutting & sewing divisions, and vending providing employment and vocational training to approximately 230 adult blind and severely multiple disabled blind of maryland.

program for rehabilitation, social services and vocational training for the adult blind and severely multiple disabled of maryland. Provided training to approximately 1512 blind individuals through various programs and provided aids & appliances to approximately 177 blind individuals. Bism continues to move towards our goal of providing services to people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired by offering the following programs: youth servicesbism offers two residential programs for blind youths. The "work for independence" program for high school students and "independence 101" for middle school aged children. These program participants attend daily classes regarding blindness, assistive technology, braille, cane travel, and independent living. All of this occurs while living in an apartment with blind adult role-models. The final component of this program is a work experience for the older students. Bism also has a mentoring program which places blind high school and college age students with successful blind adult mentors. Core program bism's comprehensive orientation, rehabilitation, and empowerment (core) program teaches blind and visually impaired adults the skills of blindness so they can become employed, pursue post-secondary education, and regain control of their lives. Confidence building is an essential element of the program and is reinforced with each accomplishment. Core students are taught by blind instructors and learn non-visual methods in a classroom setting. The curriculum includes braille, long white cane travel, independent living, and assistive computer technology, adjustment to blindness seminars, physical fitness, woodshop, and off-site training. The core program generally requires seven to ten months to complete. Core is a residential program and we consider residential living the essential component designed to integrate skills developed throughout training. Students live in apartments in an urban setting and are responsible for shopping, meal preparation, cleaning, and money management. Students also organize and participate in community outreach, bism fundraisers, and group activities. Through utilization of classroom taught blindness skills outside of the rehabilitation bubble, our students learn not only independence skills but what it takes to become successful professionally and personally. Senior program bism's senior services offers life skills training, support groups, resource materials, home instruction, adapted device demonstrations and community outings for blind and low vision seniors. The goal of all bism senior services programs is to empower blind and low vision senior citizens with the skills and confidence necessary to live an independent, fulfilling life. The seniors achieving independent living (sail) program's curriculum includes classes in braille, cane travel, independent home living, assistive computer technology, adjustment to blindness seminars, gardening and leisure activities. With the skills acquired at bism, senior participants become better equipped to manage their daily needs, remain in their own homes, resume social activities, increase their quality of life and avoid unnecessary placement in costly assisted living facilities.