STEP Program

Please use the following link to fill out our STEP form online.

Student Training and Employment Program (STEP)

The STEP program is a unique and exciting program that gives students who are blind or visually impaired an opportunity to develop valuable skills and learn the fundamentals of finding and keeping a job.

Summer STEP

STEP offers an exciting (summer) program that gives students who are blind or visually impaired the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of finding and keeping a job. 

Operated by the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ISBVI), Bosma Enterprises, and the Blind and Visually Impaired Services of Vocational Rehabilitation, STEP offers a well-balanced schedule of classroom learning, experience in a real world job, and fun recreational activities.

Eligibility

Students who are blind or visually impaired who:

• are Indiana residents
• are ages 16 to 21
• exhibit independent, age-appropriate self-advocacy, daily living, and social interaction skills
• commit to participate in one complete session 
• Priority is given to junior or senior year students.

Classroom Activities

Each student will learn job-ready skills including how to:

• understand employer expectations
• identify strengths and barriers
• discover simple adaptations which will make them successful on the job
• identify career paths and job goals
• complete job applications
• write a resume
• polish interviewing skills
• develop a portfolio

Employment Opportunities

Students benefit from real world employment experiences with the assistance of a Job Coach who accompanies them to job sites and assists in job training. 

Recreation

Students help plan the on and off-campus recreational activities that may include mini-courses, guest speakers, field trips, and opportunities to learn professional social and dining etiquette.

Housing

Students are housed at the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ISBVI) in Indianapolis and work at job sites in and around Indianapolis.

Expenses

Most meals and all lodging are provided by program sponsors.  Some meals and recreational expenses are the student’s responsibility.

Wages

Each student receives federal minimum wages, paid through the program.

Registration

Students must provide: birth certificate, social security card, and photo ID

Transportation

Students must be dropped off at ISBVI on Sunday afternoons and picked up on Friday afternoons. 

School Year STEP

During the school year, ISBVI and Bosma Enterprises partner to provide employment opportunities for students.  Production positions are made available to individuals who are currently high school students at ISBVI. 

Students work one day per week and receive minimum wage.  During the remainder of the week, they attend their regular classes.  Students are transported by ISBVI staff and accompanied by a Job Coach until they are able to perform their job on their own.

The goals of SCHOOL YEAR STEP are to provide work experience for students…integrate them into a work environment…encourage them to interact with staff and…have them become as independent as possible.

Please use the following link to fill out our STEP form online.

Staff
Success Stories