Little Sight, Big Vision

Being a teenager is difficult. Being a teenager with a visual impairment presents a whole new set of challenges. With these teens in mind, Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired offers pre-employment transition services. Providing individuals 14-22 the opportunity to develop skills to enter the work force or post-secondary education, the program teaches students home and personal management, assistive technology, job readiness, orientation and mobility, social skills, and community integration. Miami Lighthouse also offers a Music Summer Program; an inclusion program comprised of blind and sighted young adults working side by side producing and performing music. For more information click here.

Students learn practical skills, such as preparing their own meals using safe techniques and labeling and organizing their home to promote consistent accessibility. They also learn important employment skills, such as keeping up-to-date resumes, job interviewing, use of business technology, and getting on-the job training. The goal is simple: to help our young adults reach their full potential.

For more information, contact Betty Chavarria, Manager of Transition and Education Services, at 786-362-7523 or bchavarria@miamilighthouse.org.

Miami Lighthouse Pre-ETS/Transition Students Receive OrCam Assistive Devices

Left to right front: Lior Haiat, Israel Consul General; Sebastian Torres; Marnel Jean; Emily Bejerano; Diandre Incera. Rear: Jason Jenkins, Miami Dolphins; Motti Attia, Orcam; Leslie Nixon, Miami Dolphins; Marcus Bach-Armas, Miami Dolphins; TJ McDonald, Miami Dolphins; CEO Virginia Jacko, Miami Lighthouse and Ariel Roman-Harris, Israeli Consulate

Three of our Pre-ETS/Transition students, Emily, Diandre, and Marnel received an OrCam, a portable, wearable, lightweight smart camera for blind and visually impaired persons that reads printed or digital text aloud and identifies faces, products, and paper money in real time. Diandre said, "I have an interest in the law and helping people out. I want to be a lawyer. I think this OrCam is really going to help me achieve that goal." Emily said, "The OrCam has been a great change in my life and [will positively impact] my future." According to Marnel, "The OrCam has allowed me to be more productive in life. Not only has it allowed me to be more efficient in my work, I now have the opportunity to compete in a fast-paced work environment where the size of the print does not dictate the quality and value of my work."