Bureau of Services for Blind Persons Presents Achievement Honor Roll

Awards
Contact: Jason Moon 517-373-9280
Agency: Licensing and Regulatory Affairs


October 21, 2014 - The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) recently presented its
Achievement Honor Roll Awards in Lansing. The awards are presented annually to BSBP
consumers who are exemplary in achieving their goals for employment and/or independent living
after vision loss; employers who have shown leadership in hiring people who are blind or visually
impaired based on their abilities; and community partners recognized for their collaboration with the
BSBP in increasing opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired to achieve
independence and/or employment.
Our Achievement Honor Roll winners have made a wide variety of contributions that have had a
tremendous impact on our states blind community, said BSBP Director Ed Rodgers. The BSBP will
continue to work with consumers and our partners to provide a diverse set of quality services to
ensure that blind individuals have the opportunities they need to achieve active employability and
independence.
Achievement Honor Roll Award Winners
CONSUMERS
Gwendolyn Womack Southfield
Gwendolyn is a perfect example of how gaining independent living skills can be completely
empowering. Although she was initially hesitant about independent living training, Gwendolyn
spent four weeks at the BSBP Training Center where she gained confidence in herself and obtained
new skills that will help her to continue to live independently. With her newly acquired independence,
she has resumed hobbies that she thought she could no longer participate in.
Isabell Florence Mount Morris
Isabell Izzy, is someone who has faced and overcome many challenges in her life. Many of her
teachers, advisors and even family members discouraged her independence because she is visually
and hearing impaired. She received training at the BSBP Training Center in Kalamazoo and
continued her education into college, eventually graduating with honors. Isabell earned her masters
in Blind Rehabilitation from Western Michigan University, and now teaches sign language at Mott
Community College. She recently became a trainer/assessor for the National Deaf Blind Equipment
Distribution Program.
Marsha Katona Oxford
Marsha has had visual difficulties her entire life. She started at the BSBP Training Center after
leaving her job as a teachers assistant following a parents complaint about a blind person working
around their small children. At the Training Center, Marsha learned a variety of skills including a
diverse set of computer skills. After returning home from the Training Center, she received extensive
one-on-one technology training in JAWS (Job access With Speech) Victor Reader Stream and IPad.
Marsha was then hired for an assistive technology position with the Rochester Hills Public Library.
Kia Collier Detroit
Kia started with the bureau more than nine years ago determined to learn how to be an independent
mother, wife and student. In 2010, with BSBPs assistance, Kia graduated from Marygrove College
with honors. After graduation, she obtained a special education position at a small charter school on
Detroits east side. Kia has worked hard over the past several years and she recently accepted a
new position as a special education teacher.

Sara Purvayn Menominee
Sara was struggling with her vision loss when she contacted the BSBP. With training provided by
the BSBP, she learned how to use household appliances with better efficiency by labeling the dials
and buttons. Sara began enjoying talking books and writing letters using writing guides, and utilized
magnifiers to aid her in reading printed information. Through the Dazor 5D Magnifier, Sara is now
able to see her piano music so that she can play again.
Sarah Kruger Ypsilanti
Sarah graduated from the accelerated Social Work program at the University of Michigan. She has
shown tremendous determination and hard work to obtain her degree. After graduation Sarah was
hired at a non-profit organization, providing professional mental health services to the community as
a behavioral health therapist.
George Johnson East Jordan
George has been working with wood since he was a child. As a person who lost his vision gradually,
he has been able to develop accommodations for his low vision. To assist George in becoming self-
employed in a career in wood working, the BSBP provided him with services including, a teacher
assessment, skills of blindness training, low vision devices, mobility training, vocational training,
adaptive technology training, and instruction in small business development. George has
successfully demonstrated his ability to overcome barriers relating to his blindness and is now
gainfully self-employed.
Dolores Smith Detroit
Dolores is a perfect example of how independent living can empower an individual. Throughout her
skills of blindness training, Dolores maintained a positive attitude and was energetic and eager to
learn. The training has enhanced her independence in the home as well as in the community and
she continues to apply her new skills in order to maintain a high level of independence.


COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Dr. Paul Gayeff Escanaba
Dr. Gayeff is the Upper Peninsulas only low vision specialist and has served in that capacity for
decades. His dedication to his patients and his willingness to collaborate with the BSBP have made
it possible for literally generations of consumers school children, working adults, and senior
citizens to receive specialized eye care close to home. Without his career-long contribution,
countless Michigan citizens would have gone without a critical element of their successful vision
rehabilitation. Now, after long service to his community, Dr. Gayeff is in the process of
retiring. Even at this juncture, he still honors his commitment to persons with visual impairments by
working one day per week to provide low vision evaluations.
Disability Advocates of Kent County (DAKC) Grand Rapids
The BSBP has collaborated with DAKC on a number of initiatives including job readiness,
employment workshops, common disability agenda, assisting consumers seeking determinations
from the Social Security Administration (SSA), and peer mentoring. DAKC has augmented their
services to meet the needs of BSBP consumers. BSBP consumers may receive services associated
with transportation advocacy through Concerned Citizens for Improved Transportation. DAKC also
helped BSBP consumers find affordable housing.
Braille, English, Acculturation and Mobility (BEAM) Program Troy
As a result of a successful collaboration with the Chaldean Community Foundation and the BSBP, a
mini-skills of blindness training program was established for persons within the Arabic-speaking
community who need vocational rehabilitation. The Braille, English, Acculturation and Mobility
(BEAM) program provides an opportunity for small groups of students to rotate one hour classes of
Braille, English, mobility and computers. The major focus of acculturation has been on the
Americans with Disability Act and resources for persons with disabilities.
The Chaldean Community Foundation, Macomb Literacy Partners and Women In Gods
Services Macomb, Oakland Counties
The Chaldean Community Foundation, Macomb Literacy Partner and Women In Gods Services
(W.I.N.G.S) have been key community partners in providing 11 individuals in Macomb and Oakland
counties who are blind or visually impaired an opportunity to gain independence. The Chaldean
Community Foundation arranged for a training site at St. Joseph Chaldean Catholic Church in Troy.
The church provided transportation for those students and found a resource for donated desktop
computers. Macomb Literacy Partners facilitated a group of English as a Second Language (ESL)
tutors, and W.I.N.G.S. provided additional interpreting support. A significant amount of successful
organization, planning, communication and teamwork between volunteers and the BSBP has made
this endeavor a success.
EMPLOYERS
Natasha Maxwell, Owner, Make Your Dreams Come True, Inc. St. Clair Shores
Ms. Natasha Maxwell trains and provides opportunities for people to work at home. Make Your
Dreams Come True, Inc. contracts with various companies around the country to provide customer
services workers to trouble shoot issues from the general public as well as sales. Make Your
Dreams Come True has given BSBP consumers who have families and transportation issues, the
opportunity to work from home. By offering online training and job placement assistance, and with
the BSBP providing computer equipment, Make Your Dreams Come True has given blind
individuals employment opportunities with such companies as Itrum, Inc., Sears, Apple, and others.
Tom Werkema, Owner, Werkema Machine Shop Grand Rapids
Mr. Tom Werkema, hired a BSBP consumer as a computer numerical control/machine operator. In
order to meet the needs of the consumer, Tom used devices provided by BSBP such as a White
Cane, Talking Tape Measure, and Talking Caliper. Tom, who is also a pilot, also gives rides to
children and transition students at camps for the visually impaired all over the Midwest.
Catholic Social Services Ann Arbor
Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County (CSSWC) in Ann Arbor, made it possible for BSBP
consumer Steve Sheldon to gain full-time employment. By combining duties from various positions,
Steve is now successfully employed at CSSWC.
The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons provides training and other services for individuals who
are blind or visually impaired to achieve employment and/or independence in the careers of their
choice.
The BSBP programs and services include:
The BSBP Business Enterprise Program (BEP) that provides blind individuals with
opportunities for employment. The BEP operates vending routes and cafeteria facilities in
state and federal government facilities as well as in a limited number of private sector
buildings. The role of the BEP is to guide and assist the operator in achieving upward
mobility.
The BSBP Vocational Rehabilitation Program helps blind citizens become employed in a
career that suits their current or abilities. The program provides diagnostic evaluations and
vocational counseling at no cost.
The BSBP Braille and Talking Book Library serves people with visual impairments and
offers a diverse set of materials.
The BSBP also has services that can help the blind and visually impaired access cutting-edge
technology and provides training on the accessibility of the iPhone, iPad and Android operating
system, and the capabilities of many screen reader programs.
For more information about BSBP visit www.michigan.gov/bsbp or call toll-free: 1-800-292-4200,
TTY 888-864-1212
The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons is a part of the Michigan Department of Licensing and
Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
For information about the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons go to: www.michigan.gov/bsbp
For more information about LARA, please visit www.michigan.gov/lara
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