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Are You Ready for the Adventure of Your

LIFE?

("Learning Independence, Feeling Empowered")

What is LIFE?

4 week residential training program for students between the ages of 14-18 years old who are returning to a high school academic program in the fall of 2023

 

What does LIFE provide?:

Important Dates for LIFE:



Classes:

  • Braille
  • Personal and Home Management – cooking, cleaning, and organizing
  • Independent travel skills using a long white cane
  • Keyboarding/Computers
  • Access Technology
  • Job Readiness
  • Work Experience
  • Conversations about Blindness

Confidence Building Activities:

  • Improvisation Training
  • Formal Dinner/Dance
  • Drivers Education Experience
  • Movies
  • Grilling
  • Business and Social Networking Skills
  • Whitewater Rafting
  • Swimming
  • Sailing
  • And much more!

Work Experience:

Requirements for LIFE:

Students must:

What is the application process for LIFE? 

Go to 2023 LIFE application, complete, and submit

Print and complete the DBVI Health Checklist Form and sign as parent/guardian where it says counselor signature. Then, attach the completed form to the DBVI General Medical Examination Form and take to student’s physician or other medical professional to complete (must be dated not more than one year prior to the LIFE application submission date).

Print the DBVI Eye Exam Report and have it completed by a medical professional (must be dated not more than one year prior to the LIFE application submission date)

*If a student attended a summer program at VRCBVI in the past, the health checklist and eye report form submitted for that program are acceptable, provided the parent(s) submit a statement that the student’s health and/or eye report information has not changed and is still accurate. Include a copy of the student’s current IEP


Scan all completed forms and send to Brooke Rogers, Brooke.Rogers@dbvi.virginia.gov or mail to 401 Azalea Ave., Richmond, VA 23227 – Attention: Brooke Rogers.

Please note: Only complete applications received by 11:59 PM Monday, May 8, 2023, will be considered. VRCBVI will not accept forms piecemeal; please submit your forms all attached to one email or all in the same envelope.


Here is a checklist of forms to be submitted once all are complete:


After the application deadline, all complete applications will be reviewed.

All applicants will be notified no later than May 25, 2023, of their acceptance status.

Students accepted into the LIFE program and their parent(s) will participate in an informational interview by phone with VRCBVI staff, which will be scheduled by Amy Phelps, Assistant Director for Instruction.

Get your application in quickly, as a maximum of 22* participants will be accepted into the program. NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER MAY 8, 2023.


Assistant Director for Instruction
Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired
401 Azalea Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23227
(804) 371-3052
Email:  amy.phelps@dbvi.virginia.gov


For additional information about the LIFE Program, please contact:
William Sutton
Community Engagement Coordinator
Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired
401 Azalea Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23227
(804) 371-3204
Email: William.sutton@dbvi.virginia.gov

*Subject to change due to COVID protocols