White Cane Safety Walk Followed by Lunch and Learn

On October 15, the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina will host a White Cane Safety Walk in recognition of White Cane Awareness Day. The Walk will begin at 9:30 am at the Federation Center on South Kilbourne Road in Columbia. Following the Walk, at the Federation Center a proclamation will be read about White Cane Awareness Day, and guest speakers will reflect on the history of white cane laws. Lunch will be offered afterward.

SCCB staff will have a display different types of canes and share how they may be used.

When: October 15, 9:30 am – 1 pm

Where: 119 S Kilbourne Rd, Columbia, SC 29205

White Cane Awareness Day in Myrtle Beach

White Cane Awareness Day is October 15, a date is set aside to celebrate the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and the symbol of blindness and tool of independence that many of them use: the white cane. 

Join SCCB staff and other attendees to walk the trail around the ponds (the walk is about one mile). There will be demonstrations of how to use a white cane and vision simulators available for attendees to experience different types of visual impairments.

Yoga classes for kids and adults will be offered, with the option of wearing a blind fold for the “Yoga in the Dark” experience, by Foundation for Fighting Blindness staff.

Thanks to Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired South Carolina and Foundation for Fighting Blindness for assisting with this event!

When: October 15, 9 am – 12 pm

Where: Grand Park, 1119 Farrow Parkway, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

White Cane Scavenger Hunt at State House

Updated times

In recognition of White Cane Awareness Day on October 15, some SCCB consumers who are currently receiving Orientation and Mobility training will participate in a scavenger hunt on the State House grounds in Columbia, SC.

This is a great opportunity to increase understanding of orientation and mobility tools and recognize how they assist individuals who are blind and visually impaired in living and working independently.

SCCB O&M instructors will be present to demonstrate how a white cane is used, the different types of canes and cane tips, and provide information about SCCB services.

Thanks to Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired South Carolina and National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina for assisting with this event!

When: October 14, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Where: State House grounds, Columbia, SC

Living his best life

Jacob Johnson, or Jake, had planned to enter medical school upon graduation from Emory University and become a psychiatrist. However, after a trip to Europe during his junior year, he was no longer certain about his future.

Jake contacted Vanessa Cruell, his vocational rehabilitation counselor at the South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB), and expressed his desire to be involved in the medical field and with helping others. But he also said that he was frustrated because he didn’t know how he might do this. Jake and Vanessa researched many types of medical careers available for a person who is legally blind, but none of the positions really interested him.

Jake was born with ocular albinism and has lived his entire life as a person who is legally blind. Ocular albinism is a genetic condition that reduces the pigmentation of the iris (the colored part of the eye) and the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. It affects depth perception and how sharp or blurry things appear.

Jake was strongly encouraged by his family (both parents are medical professionals) to pursue his interests and goals and not let his vision issues be a barrier to achieving those.

As a young adult, Jake came to SCCB and received services that helped him excel in high school and prepare for college. Some of the services Jake received included counseling and guidance, orientation and mobility training, and a low vision assessment. He also received several types of assistive technology devices, including a portable CCTV to connect to a laptop, a monocular (a “mini telescope” that magnifies objects at a distance), and a ruby (a handheld video magnifier).

Jake also knew that post-secondary training would be the gateway to his future, even if he was unsure what that future would be. SCCB provided Jake with financial assistance for tuition, books, and assistive technology while he attended Emory University, where he studied Biology and Classical Civilizations and graduated in 2018 with degrees in both subjects.

As already mentioned, during his junior year at Emory, Jake became unsure about his employment goal. However, it was also at Emory that he discovered a new, unexpected path. One that would lead to exciting career opportunities.

Jake read an article that described a full-scale emergency management exercise that Emory University had completed. Intrigued by this, he pursued an internship with the University’s Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response and then another internship with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These experiences were a turning point for him.

After graduation, Jake interned with the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, working with their Training and Exercise Bureau on projects during an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activation. Following this, he attended the Georgia Institute of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and completed training to enter the National Registry of Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians.

“The internships helped Jake confirm his passion,” says Vanessa, “and that emergency management was the career path he wanted to pursue.”

In September 2018, Jake was hired to serve as Emergency Management Coordinator for Bon Secours Mercy Health in Greenville. An SCCB employment consultant assisted him throughout the hiring process.

At Bon Secours, Jake managed the market-wide Emergency Management Program, including 400 beds across two hospitals and approximately 80 ancillary medical facilities and offices. He conducted training and exercises for all levels of staff. Jake also coordinated the response to Covid-19 through the Hospital Command Center and managed the Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic. And he completed training in Bon Secours Emerging Leaders Program.

While working full-time, Jake also entered the online graduate program at Arkansas State University, earning a Master of Science in Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management in 2022. SCCB provided tuition and other assistance as Jake completed his degree.

After Jake became employed, SCCB provided on-the-job supports. In addition to helping Jake and his family find other local and community resources, one of the most significant supports that SCCB helped with is Bioptic Driver Training.

This is a special type of driver training that helps people with low vision learn to drive using a combination of their regular eyeglasses and a small telescopic lens system that improves their distance vision. Drivers use their regular lenses most of the time and look through the telescope when they need to see more details, such as road signs, traffic lights, or potential hazards. Bioptic driving requires careful fitting of the system and extensive training. Jake was evaluated and it was determined that he could benefit from this type of training. And last year, he successfully secured his driver’s license. For people with low vision who can benefit from it, this type of training can have a profound effect on their mobility, employment, and ability to live independently.

Additionally, Jake has a new role at Bon Secours: he is now the Protective Services Emergency Management Consultant.

According to Vanessa, “Over the years, both Jake and his family have expressed immense gratitude for the assistance that SCCB has provided.”

Today, Jake says, “I’m living my best life and enjoying myself. I’m looking forward to my future, whatever that may be.”

SCCB Summer Teen 2024

SCCB’s three-week Summer Teen program will begin Monday, June 10, 2024, and end Friday, June 28, 2024. The Extended Summer Teen program will begin Monday, July 15, 2024, and end Friday, July 26, 2024.

All five weeks will be held on University of South Carolina’s campus in Columbia at the new Campus Village dormitories (1315 Whaley St, Columbia, SC 29205). Students will arrive on campus each Monday and return home on Friday of each week. If needed, transportation may be provided by SCCB; contact your counselor or the Transition Services Lead with any questions.

Who can attend?

SCCB’s Summer Teen program is free and open to any student who is:

  • Age 13-21; AND
  • In a secondary, postsecondary, or other recognized education program; AND
  • Currently receiving Vocational Rehabilitation services from SCCB.

Students should be able to manage their own daily living activities. Contact your SCCB Counselor or the Transition Services Lead to discuss any questions or concerns you have about SCCB’s Summer Teen program.

Application deadline is Friday, May 3, 2024. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. It is recommended that you submit your application as soon as possible. Due to limited space, not all applications may be accepted. Parents and teens will be notified by Friday, May 17, 2024, of acceptance. Additional program information will be sent with the acceptance notice.

To apply for the Summer Teen program, contact your SCCB counselor!

Save the date for Summer Teen 2023

It’s time for Summer Teen at the South Carolina Commission for the Blind!

From internship experiences and opportunities for personal growth, to developing friendships and exploring career options, SCCB’s Summer Teen Program provides students ages 13-21 who are blind or have low vision with the knowledge, skills, and resources to help them achieve their academic and career goals.

Informative and fun workshops and activities include:

  • STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)-related projects
  • Exploring career possibilities and post-secondary education options
  • Work-based learning opportunities based on individual career goals (for students on the worker track)
  • Self-advocacy
  • Self defense
  • And much more!

Summer Teen will begin on Monday June 12, 2023, and end on Friday June 30, 2023. The three-week program will be held at SCCB’s Training Center in Columbia. Students will arrive on campus each Monday and return home on Friday of each week.

Who can attend?

Summer Teen is free and open to any student who is age 13-21 and currently receiving Vocational Rehabilitation services from the South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB).

The application deadline is May 5, 2023. Please keep in mind that applications will be considered on a first come, first served basis, and submit your application as soon as possible. Due to limited space, not all applications may be accepted.

To apply for the Summer Teen program, contact your counselor!

Survey for SCCB consumers – date extended

To Our Consumers:

The South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB) is conducting a comprehensive statewide needs assessment of the employment needs of individuals who are blind or have a visual impairment in South Carolina. We are asking you to complete a short survey so that we can include the knowledge and experience of the individuals that we serve. The results of this survey will be used to improve programs and services and meet the changing needs of persons who are blind or have a visual impairment.

Please take this opportunity to complete the survey and share your thoughts and experiences with us. Please complete the survey by January 23, 2023. The Survey link is below:

Individual Consumer Survey

Your responses will be anonymous and you will not be asked for your name anywhere in the survey.

Thank you.

Survey for business partners – date extended

To Our Business Partners:

The South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB) is conducting a comprehensive statewide needs assessment of the employment needs of individuals who are blind or have a visual impairment in South Carolina. As part of this assessment, we are surveying businesses to determine their needs related to recruiting, hiring, accommodating, and retaining employees who are blind or have a visual impairment.  

Please take this opportunity to complete the survey and share your thoughts and experiences with us. Please complete the survey by January 23, 2023. The survey link is below:

Business Partner Survey

Your responses will be anonymous and you will not be asked for your name anywhere in the survey.

Thank you.

Survey for community partners – date extended

To Our Community Partners:

The South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB) is conducting a comprehensive statewide needs assessment of the employment needs of individuals who are blind or have a visual impairment in South Carolina. As part of this assessment, we are surveying our community partners to incorporate their knowledge and experience.

Please take this opportunity to complete the survey and share your thoughts and experiences with us. Please complete the survey by January 23, 2023. The survey link is below:

Community Partner Survey

Your responses will be anonymous and you will not be asked for your name anywhere in the survey.

Thank you.

Consumer comment

The following comment was recently received from a consumer who received SCCB’s Older Blind services:

It was my lucky day when a friend gave me your telephone number. I called and [the counselor] made an appointment to come and meet me. She offered suggestions, making my house easy to move around in. She gave me a telephone, a package of bump dots, and some other odds and ends. She made me an appointment for an evaluation. I received several sizes of magnifying glasses, an address book, and other stuff.

I’m so thankful for the Commission. It has given [me] more freedom. I use everything you have given me. I have had several visits with [my counselor] and found her to be very helpful. I feel I can call her any time.

—Former SCCB Consumer