A new year is a good time to take stock of who we are and why we do this work. January is also Braille Literacy Month, which makes it an appropriate moment for BISM to reaffirm our commitment to braille as a core part of our mission and vision.
BISM provides braille instruction across all of our Independence Training and Rehabilitation (ITR) programs because literacy requires an independent way to read and write. Braille provides that access. Whether someone is using a slate and stylus, a braillewriter, an electronic braille notetaker, or braille technology paired with a computer, braille opens the door to the written word and supports long-term independence. Alongside the white cane, braille remains fundamental to achieving a world without limits for people who are blind.
This year also marks the 40th anniversary of BISM’s ITR programs. Over those 40 years, our programs have grown to reflect the changing needs of blind Marylanders. In addition to core training services, we’ve added work readiness through WRAP, early literacy through the summer BELL Academy, and expanded opportunities for teens through STAR, GOLD STAR, and WRAP. Most recently, we launched the NOVA program to give blind high school students access to college exploration across Maryland.
We have also expanded services for older adults through our Western Maryland Road Warriors, reaching individuals in Cumberland, Hagerstown, and wherever the need exists. Across all of these programs, our focus remains the same: providing high-quality training that supports independence at every stage of life.
None of this work happens in isolation. Every day, BISM Associates across the organization help make these programs possible. The work happening on our production floors and in our offices provides the resources that allow our ITR teams to deliver meaningful, measurable impact throughout Maryland.
