Iowa Department for the Blind is excited to offer several programs to blind and low vision Iowans age 14 -22.  Please contact Ambrose Fowler-Harney at (515) 829-7411 Ambrose.FowlerHarney@blind.state.ia.us for more information.  We look forward to working with you.  

LEAP

 

Leadership Education Advocacy Program
June 9th, 2024 – August 17th, 2024

LEAP, a summer residential program, provides youth ages 14-21 the chance to connect with friends, learn blindness skills, build confidence, and prepare for their transition to higher education or to enter the workplace with confidence. Students may attend all or part of the summer as their schedules allow.
Participants learn how to be successful with braille, technology, travel, home management, college preparation, job readiness training, independent living, and they will gain positive and meaningful philosophy through training with blind role models and supportive staff.

It’s not all work at LEAP – Participants experience a wide variety of activities such as attending an Iowa Cubs game, rock climbing, axe throwing, going to the movies, hanging out at the mall, jumping around at a trampoline park, Adventureland, playing goalball, grilling, swimming, and much more!

In addition, some LEAP participants will have the opportunity to choose whether a group of students will attend the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) or the American Council of the Blind (ACB) conventions held in July. These conventions offer participants a wide variety of resources from across the country and even the world, including career-driven divisions, divisions specifically for students, technology workshops, job fairs, networking opportunities, and advocacy opportunities. Convention dates will be approximately between July 2nd and July 13th.

LEAP is divided into five two-week, themed sessions: 
June 9th-June 22nd – Summer Prep: Life Skills for Summer June 23rd-July 6th – Explore Your Future 
July 7th-July 20th – Touch and Tech 
July 21st-August 3rd – Nature’s Bounty 
August 4th-August 17th – Expanding Your Palette 

Please apply online at https://iowadeptblind.wufoo.com/forms/2024-leap-application/.  Attendees will be notified of their acceptance.

For more information, contact Andrew Krischel at andrew.krischel@blind.state.ia.us or 515-330-5758.