Teens Ages 14+
Our Teen Transition program was featured as part of the City of Pinellas Park Charity and Non-profit Spotlight.
I learned how to live on my own: cook for myself, clean and do laundry. The teachers helped us look at different careers, write resumes, search for a job and interview.
- Antwan
When teens graduate from high school, we want them to be empowered for success in college, careers and life on their own.
Teen Transition Program
The Teen Transition Program is designed for students with visual impairments, ages 14-22, to equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to be prepared for life after high school. The program’s goal is to ensure participating students transition successfully into college, technical school, employment and/or living on their own.
Eligibility
The student must be between the ages of 14-22, have a bilateral visual impairment, require vocational rehabilitation services to prepare them for an employment and open to register with the State of Florida, Division of Blind Services.
Services
Large and small group instruction is provided to help students learn and/or practice the skills they will need to accomplish their post-secondary goal(s). The Lighthouse works collaboratively with each student’s Teacher of the Visually Impaired and/or school towards meeting the unique needs of the teen. Instruction is provided in all nine areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum of Students with Visual Impairments (highlight in blue and link to the definition above):
- Self-Determination Skills
- Learning to advocate, communicate needs
- Problem solving skills
- Social Skills
- Increasing self-esteem
- Seeking and maintaining companionship
- Assistive Technology Skills
- Keyboarding skills
- Use of adaptive software
- Instruction in use of iPad
- Compensatory Skills
- Braille, signature writing
- Organizational skills
- Career and Vocational Education Skills
- Interviewing skills
- Resume writing
- Orientation and Mobility Skills
- Safe travel skills
- Navigating public transportation
- Recreation and Leisure Skills
- Goal ball and field trips
- Independent Living Skills
- Cooking
- Budgeting, money management
- Visual Efficiency Skills
- Instruction on the use of low vision devices such as a telescope and/or magnifier to access printed materials
Year Round Transition Program
During the school year, the Year Round Transition Program is offered once a week at the Lighthouse of Pinellas. Once a month, students take Saturday fieldtrips to various locations learning the importance of being active and giving back to their community.
Summer Transition Program
The summer program is provided for five weeks during the months of June and July. In addition to working on ECC skills, students participate in a paid work experience and spend time on a college campus to learn about college life and independent living.
To begin the application process for the Transition Program please complete and submit the following forms (Please note all applications will be forwarded to the Florida Division of Blind Services for consideration):
- Click the link to view the Transition Application Form
- Click the link to view the Transition Medical Information Form
- Click the link to view the Permission Release Form