Fourteen students with blindness and low vision participated in a valuable hands-on experience as baristas and screen printers during the YES 1 summer camp, held at the Washington State School for the Blind.
The two-week program, which runs from July 13 to July 24, is designed to enhance career readiness skills for youths ages 14 to 16 who have registered with the Department of Services for the Blind in both Washington and Oregon.
At this unique school, students have access to a coffee shop and a recently established print shop, providing them an opportunity to engage in real work experiences.
Corey Grandstaff, the associate director of the school’s Transition & Residential programs, emphasizes that these students want the same experiences as their peers.
“Blindness doesn’t change that,” Grandstaff said, reinforcing the importance of the program in fostering independence and self-sufficiency.
To kick off the camp, staff assisted students in obtaining food worker cards, covering all fees to ensure they were prepared for a coffee demonstration later in the week.
During the demonstration, students learned various accommodations to make their work accessible, such as relying on the sound of the espresso machine to know when it’s finished pouring or using distinctive glasses to differentiate liquids.
Additionally, braille and large print labels were employed to help identify syrups and drink recipes, illustrating how technology can enhance workplace accessibility.
The campus coffee shop utilizes machines that mimic those found in commercial settings like Starbucks, providing students with a familiar experience as they learn to operate equipment that they may encounter in future employment.
In addition to practical job skills, the program also focuses on teaching students self-advocacy, a crucial skill in navigating the workforce.
“One of the biggest challenges when it comes to retail is finding an accessible point-of-sale system that students can use,” Grandstaff explained.
Students are encouraged to advocate for accessible technologies when seeking retail jobs with the Department of Services for the Blind.
The screen-printing pilot program, another facet of the YES 1 summer camp, involves students creating designs that they can sell.
Throughout the school year, the program has included lessons with Ryonet screen printing, allowing students to explore their creativity while developing job-related skills.
“We wanted to teach the students something that’s outside of the box and something that they can do with their skills, and they love doing it,” said Joanna McCaffrey, a job coach at the Washington State School for the Blind.
This summer, students created prints on tote bags and T-shirts, employing different techniques and identifying machinery through sound and tactile cues.
Eventually, the school plans to implement a sensor system that will further assist students in navigating the workspace safely.
Fifteen-year-old Michael Cheek, a returning student in the YES 1 program, expressed his gratitude for the opportunities provided by the camp.
“It’s a new experience I wouldn’t have been able to get at my old school,” Cheek stated.
As a returning participant, he has the chance to undertake an internship, which he currently enjoys at The Verdict cafe located in the Clark County Courthouse, where he learns valuable skills such as stocking shelves and preparing food and drinks.
Cheek noted that his main motivation for returning to the program was to gain work experience and to practice living independently.
Outside of job readiness, students also learn essential life skills like navigating public transportation, grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning during the two-week program.
“It’s been an amazing opportunity to just watch our students thrive and show everyone in the community that they are able to work just as hard as anyone else,” McCaffrey concluded.
image source from：columbian
