University of Kentucky Visual Impairment Program

We are so proud to see so many past and current students from our TVI and O&M programs at the AER International Conference in Louisville, Kentucky!
Watching our students grow into dedicated professionals, continue their learning, present, network, and advocate for individuals who are blind, visually impaired, and DeafBlind is incredibly rewarding. It is an honor to be a small part of their journey.
We love seeing the UK family represented so well.
We had to take two photos of students to catch them all and I think we still missed a few.

Path Camp Day 7
As PATH Camp comes to a close, our students packed up, moved out of the dorms, and took time to reflect on everything they learned throughout the week. It was inspiring to watch them step outside their comfort zones, try new things, build confidence, and create lasting friendships. We had an incredible week and are so proud of all they accomplished!
Here are a few more photos from this past week’s adventures and memories. Thank you to everyone who helped make PATH Camp such a success!
Stay tuned for dates and registration information for our PATH Fall Retreat—we can't wait to see everyone again!

Path Camp Day 6
Our last full day was filled with learning and fun! Students visited Locust Trace Veterinary Clinic, where they explored careers in veterinary medicine, learned about animal care, and gained hands-on experience with grooming, leash and harness use, and sanitizing equipment.
In the afternoon, students practiced Orientation & Mobility skills at The Summit at Fritz Farm, exploring new stores and navigating unfamiliar routes with confidence.
We ended the day with our PATH Camp celebration at Sedona, sharing lots of laughs and celebrating an incredible week together. We are so proud of our students and sad to see camp come to an end tomorrow!

PATH Camp – Day 5
Today our PATH campers traveled to Frankfort to visit Canoe Kentucky! Students learned about water safety and explored the many careers that support seasonal recreation on the water by meeting employees and hearing about their roles.
The day ended with a canoe trip down Elkhorn Creek, where students put their water safety skills into practice while enjoying an unforgettable outdoor adventure.

PATH Camp Day 4
Today our PATH campers traveled to Kamp Kessa in Frankfort for an unforgettable day of learning and adventure! Students explored the many career opportunities available in Kentucky's equine industry while gaining hands-on experience caring for horses.
The highlight of the day was spending time in the saddle as each student enjoyed horseback riding, building confidence and trying something new. We wrapped up the afternoon with a unique horseback yoga session, combining balance, communication, and trust with these amazing animals.
Another incredible day of learning, growing, and creating lifelong memories! We are so grateful to Kamp Kessa for sharing their knowledge, hospitality, and passion for horses with our students.

PATH Camp Day 3
Another great day of learning and building independence!
Our campers started the day by visiting BCTC's Newtown Pike Campus, where they explored the many academic and career programs available and learned how credits can transfer to four-year universities.
In the afternoon, students put yesterday's transportation lessons into action during a campus scavenger hunt at the University of Kentucky. The scavenger hunt was organized and led by one of our UK Orientation & Mobility (O&M) interns, giving students the opportunity to practice riding the UK Blue and White bus routes, navigate diagonal crossing aka pedestrian scramble, and explore campus destinations including the bookstore and student center—all while strengthening their orientation, mobility, and independent travel skills.
We wrapped up the day with hands-on lessons led by our TVI practicum students, who taught students valuable independent living skills, including laundry and preparing healthy snacks.
Every day at PATH brings new opportunities for our students to gain confidence, independence, and skills for college, careers, and life!

PATH Camp is officially underway!
Day 1 was all about getting settled into the dorms, meeting new friends, and kicking off an exciting week together.
On Day 2, students visited Trader Joe's for a behind-the-scenes tour, where they learned about the store, the history, and employment opportunities. We also welcomed Lextran, who taught students about public transportation, including how to use a bus pass, understand transfers, read and understand bus route signage, and confidently navigate the bus system.
We wrapped up the day with a picnic and an afternoon of swimming at Shillito Park—a perfect way to relax, have fun, and continue building friendships and memories.
We're off to a great start and can't wait to see what the rest of the week has in store!

What a great week of hands-on learning for our University of Kentucky Teacher Preparation Program in Visual Impairments!
Our TVI students experienced adapted cooking under sleep shades, creating delicious meals while learning nonvisual cooking techniques. Thank you to the Fayette County Extension Office for allowing us to use your cooking labs!
Students also learned and played Goalball with the Kentucky School for the Blind Athletic Director, Jess Belcher, and Goalball Coach, Bo Mullins. Thank you to Frederick Douglass High School for providing the gym for this incredible experience!
The week also included our TVIs demonstrating their screen reader skills, and exploring iOS Accessibility and VoiceOver. We ended this week with an excellent presentation from Narjis Karimipour on DeafBlind and DeafBlind technology.
We are proud of our students and grateful to our partners for helping make this in-person week such a meaningful learning experience!

A huge congratulations to Dr. Amanda Lannan on her incredible work helping secure the $3.6 million federal ALIGNS Grant! This grant brings together the University of Kentucky, University of Kansas, and Howard University to prepare future leaders in special education.
We are especially proud that this is the first federal grant awarded to the UK Visual Impairment Program. Dr. Lannan's dedication, leadership, and countless hours of grant writing have created an amazing opportunity for future scholars and will have a lasting impact on the field of visual impairment and special education.
Congratulations, Dr. Lannan, on this outstanding achievement! We are also excited to share that Dr. Lee will serve alongside Dr. Lannan as Co-Principal Investigator for the University of Kentucky's work on this grant.