Braille Quest: Technology and Career Discovery Program
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Braille Quest: Technology and Career Discovery Program The Braille Quest program was designed to inspire students who are blind to set challenging career goals. Through the Braille Quest experience, students became aware of career opportunities and corporations developed an awareness of the technical abilities of students who are blind. The SET-BC Braille Quest program was established through a generous grant from QLT Inc. The inaugural Braille Quest was held in Greater Vancouver in July 2003. Braille Quest provided an intensive five day career exploration program for students who are blind and have demonstrated an interest in, and ability to use, technology. Eight students from around the province traveled to Burnaby to learn about career opportunities at leading corporations in British Columbia. |
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Two B.C. Vision teachers, Dave Rathwell and Dave Manzer, spent many long hours planning for and hosting the energetic campers at Victory Hill residences in Burnaby. Thanks go to the British Columbia Ministry of Education for use of these facilities. CNIB staff provided program, recreation, and O&M support for student outings to the Pacific National Exhibition and Splashdown Waterpark. Guest speakers participated in an informative and inspirational panel discussion on employment and post secondary education issues for persons with visual impairments. In addition, students had the opportunity to learn new print-to-speech software programs - programs that give students who are blind independent access to print - access that is necessary to be successful in the typical sighted workplace. During the corporate visits, Braille Quest students enjoyed the opportunity to explore the world of work in general and to see firsthand how the corporations were structured. The students, aged 13 to 17, were very excited to have the opportunity to visit companies and learn about the kinds of jobs that they do. The students are high academic, totally blind, and very competent with the computer technology that they use on a daily basis. The student visits were hosted by: The Braille Quest corporate visit experience was mutually beneficial. For the students, it helped them to understand that they are employable and that their technology can potentially facilitate their employment. For companies, it helped to demonstrate that, through the use of technology, employees who are blind can work alongside those who are sighted, accessing the same print documents and communicating via the same corporate networks. Students wholeheartedly enjoyed the opportunity to attend Braille Quest 2003. SET-BC looks forward to hosting Braille Quest again in summer 2004. |
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