In January 2012, the Paul V. Sherlock Center was awarded a grant

from the Rhode Island Foundation for the EnVision Work Project. EnVision Work is entering its second year and has accepted new students in addition to the first cohort of students who will complete the program by December 2013. We continue to provide opportunities for career exploration through: an online "course" with materials related specifically to employment for people with visual impairments, person centered planning meetings, informational interviews with employers, job shadows, peer support groups, meetings for family/support network members, internships, volunteering, and paid employment.

Recent EnVision events:

EnVision Participant Bernie Miller outside of a Providence law office where he recently job-shadowed a paralegal

• May "Open" EnVision Meeting: this event was open to EnVision participants, their families, and anyone interested in attending. Guest speakers from Guiding Eyes for the Blind (dog guide training school), local guide dog users, and mobility instructors spoke to group about mobility skills needed to be successfully employed and independent as an adult.
• Peer group meetings: We recently invited Gloria Stuart from TechAccess to speak to our group about her early job opportunities and how she worked towards her current position as assistive technology consultant. Gloria talked to our group about the importance of good advocacy skills and how the need to skillfully "educate and inform" supervisors and co-workers around needs and abilities is ongoing throughout one's life as a person with a visual impairment.

• Volunteering is a great

  Gloria Stuart from TechAccess speaks to EnVision Work participants in April.

  way to build skills and explore potential career inter  ests. For example, have you ever wondered what it would be like to work in construction? Then consider volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. Check out opportunities through Serve RI.
• Explore your interests; take a non-credit course at a local college or university. Many local colleges and universities and towns offer these types of learning opportunities. For help finding something in your area, contact Kate Ray at kray@ric.edu.