EMPOWERing Youth with Visual Impairment

08/10/2026

What an incredible week at the Association for Education & Rehabilitation of the Blind & Visually Impaired (AER) International 2026 Conference in Louisville, Kentucky!

The EMPOWER VI team was honored to present three sessions focused on advancing opportunities, authentic partnerships, and mentorship for blind and low vision youth.

A special congratulations to student team member Kat Kirbaba, who shared her lived experience during our presentation, Centering Blind/Low Vision Voices: Authentic Youth Partnership in Research and Resource Development, and gave her first-ever conference presentation. Her perspective helped demonstrate the importance of including blind and low vision youth as authentic partners in research and resource development.

We are incredibly proud of our entire team for making this such a successful week of learning, collaboration, advocacy, and meaningful conversations. Thank you to everyone who attended our sessions and helped make AER International 2026 such a memorable experience!

08/03/2026

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our presentations at the AER International Conference! We loved connecting with so many of you.

We are excited to welcome another group of students this year! Complete an interest form or nominate a student by Friday for our Student Advisory Board and Mentorship Program.

The Student Advisory Board is a great fit for students interested in building leadership skills and sharing their voice. https://redcap.link/237juuyy

The Mentorship Program is ideal for students who want to connect with a B/LV adult mentor as they explore college, careers, and life after high school. https://www.empowervi.org/mentorship See less

07/28/2026

🎉 Free Resume Course Now Available!

Ready to build a resume with confidence? Our free, self-paced course will help students:
- Understand what a resume is and why it matters
- Build each section using their own experiences
- Tailor their resume for different jobs and opportunities
- Create and save a resume that's ready to use

The course also includes a fully accessible resume template and a resume task analysis to guide students every step of the way.

Get started today:

This course helps you build a resume that shows your strengths, skills, and experiences. You'll learn how to organize it, adjust it for different opportunities, and make a document that's accessible a

07/16/2026

The Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) is seeking applicants for the position of Services Specialist for the Blind 2/Generalist in the Iowa Orientation Center for the Blind! To learn more about this job opportunity and apply, use this link:

Thank you for your interest in job opportunities with the State of Iowa. You can now apply online by clicking on the job title you are interested in and clicking on the "Apply" link. If there is no "Apply" link, please see the job description for instructions on how to apply. 

07/10/2026

Meet Alexandra Adams, the UK's first Deafblind doctor! Congrats to her for all of her hard work :) She is an incredible model of what's possible with hard work and a dream!

06/10/2026

Taking place July 26–29, 2026, during the ACB Conference and Convention in St. Louis, STEP (Strengthen Teens, Elevate Potential) is a unique leadership and transition program for blind and low vision students entering 9th grade through graduating seniors and their parents or guardians.

Through interactive sessions, discussions, mentorship, and shared experiences, students will explore:

• Identity and self-confidence
• Self-advocacy and leadership
• Technology and independence
• Career exploration and future planning
• Building meaningful connections with peers and mentors

Parents will participate in a dedicated track designed to help them navigate the transition to adulthood while connecting with other families and learning practical strategies for supporting independence and success.

They are currently seeking interested students and families. If you know a blind or low vision teen who could benefit from this experience, please share this opportunity and encourage them to complete the interest form to reserve their spot.

https://acbconvention.org/?p=125

Concerned about cost? Families are encouraged to begin by working with their vocational rehabilitation counselor or state agency for the blind. If funding is not available through those sources, they will work with families to explore other options. They do not want finances to stand in the way of participation.

STEP 2026 Strengthen Teens, Elevate Potential Breaking Barriers, Building Futures: A Journey to Self-Reflection and Discovery Invitation The American Council of the Blind is proud to introduce STEP (Strengthen Teens, Elevate Potential) - a new youth program launching at the 2026 ACB Conference and C...

06/08/2026

Pathways to Disability Empowerment: Building Skills and Earning Professional Certifications for Career Success
June 16 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm CST

The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. a Monthly career Webinar
This webinar is for job seekers who are blind, low vision, DeafBlind, and blind with other disabilities.

Pathways to Disability Empowerment: Pursuing New Skills and Professional Certifications The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. a Monthly career Webinar This webinar is for job seekers who are blind, low vision, DeafBlind, and blind with other disabilities. Take charge of learning new skills and completi...

06/05/2026

This page highlights free, accessible summer reading programs for students with low vision or print disabilities, featuring options that use eBooks, audiobooks, and other alternative formats. It summarizes programs (like Bookshare, NLS/Braille Institute, Sora, and Learning Ally) that offer accessible content, reading challenges, and virtual events to keep students engaged in reading over the summer.

Free accessible summer reading programs for low vision and blind students that offer incentives for reading braille, audiobooks, and other accessible books

06/03/2026

Way to go, Stacy! We're so pleased she has joined our Adult Advisory Board! So much to learn from her experience and great work at the Iowa Department of the Blind.

Explore blindness advocacy and leadership as Stacy Cervenka shares her journey to empower blind and low vision students.

05/26/2026

Pre-Employment Summer Sessions are an opportunity for Tennessee students with disabilities to consider what’s next after high school with help from the Tennessee Department of Human Services Division of Rehabilitation Services.

These online sessions are free and open to high school students ages 14-22 who complete and submit a Pre-ETS Permission Form and IEP, 504, or medical documentation.

May 28 | 10:00 – 11:00 AM CST
How your interests line up with career paths Take an interest inventory and see how they line up with career paths.

June 9 |10:00 – 11:00 AM CST
Disclosure and Advocating
A conversation discussing how to disclose and how to advocate for needed services.

Register here: