“It really helped me grow in the number of things that I can do such as learning how to cook lasagna on the stove, chopping vegetables safely, wiping a counter properly, doing meal-planning with a group. I was also able to make new friends and have fun with the other youth.”
Lifeskills InStruction for Teens
The Life Skills Instruction for Teens (LIFT) Program is Blind Beginnings' intensive, five-day overnight summer program designed to equip youth who are blind or partially sighted, aged 13-19, with crucial independent living skills. This unique program provides a supported learning environment where teens gain practical experience in essential daily tasks, setting them up for success as confident and independent adults.
The Critical Need for Independent Living Skills
For many blind or partially sighted youth, learning vital independent living skills like cooking, cleaning, and laundry presents significant challenges. Parents may not know how to safely or effectively teach these skills, often taking on these tasks themselves. While Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs) are required to teach independent living skills as part of the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC), academics, braille, and Orientation & Mobility (O&M) often take priority, leaving minimal time for these crucial skills in school. Without early intervention and dedicated instruction, youth may not develop these foundational daily living skills, making true independent living challenging, if not impossible.
Beyond practical skills, youth with vision loss often face additional social challenges, such as difficulty fitting in with peers or understanding non-verbal communication, which can inhibit self-confidence and self-esteem. The national unemployment rate for adults who are blind or partially sighted, approximately 70%, is partly attributed to low self-confidence and social challenges. The LIFT program directly addresses these critical needs by fostering skill development, confidence, and social connections.
The LIFT program is delivered through an intensive, five-day, overnight format. The program schedule is rigorous, blending in-house learning with real-world application.
Life-skill Instruction for Teens LIFT Goals
To fill the gaps in what youth learn in school including topics such as cooking, cleaning and laundry
To equip youth with skills they need to live independently
To empower youth to have the confidence to do these tasks on their own
To learn how to dress and prepare their appearance to match the social situation, in order to boost self-acceptance and confidence
To learn how to effectively communicate with sighted peers in order to put them at ease with blindness and improve social and professional interactions
To develop friendships with peers who are blind or partially sighted, reducing loneliness and feelings of isolation
“It was interesting to see where different teens were at in their life skills. It made me feel that I was not alone and struggling with different things.”
This program requires ongoing funding and support in order to provide these crucial skills for teens who are blind or partially sighted.