ADULT CORE TRAINING

Meeting The Challenges Of An Independent Life

Through Blind Industries and Services of Maryland's (BISM) comprehensive adult CORE training program, blind students gain confidence and learn important life skills. The program provides a supportive environment in which participants learn that it is okay to be blind.

Most of our dedicated instructors are blind and serve as mentors and counselors to our students. Instruction is based on a positive, confidence-building curriculum that enables students to acquire diverse skills that can be applied at home, in school and on the job.

Residential housing is available for program participants at the Life Skills Residential Center. If you would like more information about our CORE program, please contact us at Training@bism.org or call toll-free at 1-888-322-4567.

Accredited by the Maryland State Department of Education's, Division of Rehabilitation Services, BISM provides the highest quality skills training to people who are blind.

Core areas of instruction include:

Braille
Cane Travel
Independent Living
Computer Technology
Adjustment to Blindness Seminars
Physical Fitness
Off-Site Training Activities
Life Skills Residential Center

Braille
A language of raised dots that can be read with the fingertips, Braille gives people who are blind a powerful communication tool for both reading and writing. Statistics show that most successfully employed people who are blind use Braille efficiently.

In the CORE program, we not only teach Braille but also instruct students in how to use it to manage information. Students learn to take notes, record phone numbers, addresses and other important information. Students also learn to use Braille as a labeling tool for files, canned goods, medications and other items.
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Cane Travel
Having the ability to travel independently is key to a happy, successful lifestyle. As a pedestrian using a long white cane, people who are blind can explore the environment around them, gain full mobility and unlock the door to freedom.

In cane travel, students are taught to move independently and go where they choose. They learn to interpret sound and smell and use tactile cues to gather information. Our students also learn to navigate on a bus, subway and other forms of public transportation. These skills are taught in both familiar and unfamiliar settings so students can learn to travel anywhere, anytime.
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Independent Living
Independent Living allows students to take on real life tasks and learn the skills necessary to live on their own or take care of a family. Emphasis is placed on cooking, grocery shopping and other home management activities using non-visual techniques. This multi-tasking class also includes instruction in sewing, doing laundry, ironing, clothes shopping, nutrition and much more.
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Computer Technology
In computer class, students are introduced to the exciting world of technology. Speech access software enables them to learn typing, word processing and database management. Other applications, like creating spreadsheets and learning how to use scanning systems to read print, are also incorporated into the syllabus.

Students conquer useful tasks such as producing print and Braille lists, correspondence and resumes. They also learn to use email, explore the Internet and download information.

Our state-of-the-art technologies orient students to current applications found in the workplace, preparing them to face the challenges of today's business environment.
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Adjustment to Blindness Seminars
These twice-weekly discussion groups bring all staff and students together to share common feelings and experiences, explore personal and public attitudes about blindness and hear guest speakers who are blind share their success stories.
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Physical Fitness
Physical fitness is important to a person's overall well-being. Students enjoy getting out into the community and participate in physical fitness classes at BISM.
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Off-Site Training Activities
Off-site training helps students conquer their fears about getting out into the community. Our students learn to go beyond their usual comfort zones by practicing their skills while dealing with the public in real life situations. Students and staff enjoy hiking, shopping, grilling, bowling, white water rafting and other exciting activities that a full life has to offer.
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Life Skills Residential Program
Students reside in apartments at our Life Skills Residential Center where they learn and practice all essential life skills.

The Center is located within minutes of BISM, on a direct city bus line near shopping and other amenities. Each unit is equipped with furniture and house wares. Students acquire the necessary skills to do their own shopping, prepare their own meals and clean their own apartments.

A Life Skills Instructor lives at the Center and assists students in meeting their goals and objectives. Each student benefits tremendously from this positive, enriching experience and graduates with a solid sense of personal independence.
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