For generations, students who are visually impaired have chosen to summer at The Carroll Center because of the unique experience it affords. As part of our services for the blind and visually impaired, The Carroll Center offers a variety of programs for students’ ages 6 to 21 that empower students to develop socially, academically, and independently during the summer months. Bring your energy, your enthusiasm, and your willingness to engage and learn, and you will be sure to master skills and create memories that last a lifetime.
Whether they need to learn technology, develop travel skills, have their first summer job or get ready for college, students who come to the Carroll Center all leave with a greater sense of confidence and independence. Maintaining a highly attentive and supportive culture where students exchange perspectives on their vision loss, the Carroll Center employs sighted and blind educational and rehabilitation professionals to teach, guide and empower students to reach beyond the boundaries set by themselves and others. We encourage you to contact us for more information and plan a visit to the Center. Here are our education for the blind program options:
2013 Programs
- CarrollKids/Teens: July 8 – August 1
- Youth in Transition, July 15 to August 16
- Real World Work Experience, July 1 to August 2 or July 8 to August 9
- Transition to College, June 17 to July 26
- Computing for College, July 1 to 12
- Accessible iOS App Campm August 12 to 16
- Summer Computer Courses
- Information Days
- Registration/Inquiries
- Testimonial
CarrollKids/CarrollTeens
CarrollKids/CarrollTeens programs provide short-term intensive support for students in grades 1-10. Individual instruction is provided in all areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum for remediation, skill maintenance, compensatory services or enrichment in compliance with IEP goals and statewide curriculum frameworks. Students are challenged to build on their strengths and work to their full potential based on age-appropriate developmental standards and individual assessments. Programs are designed to increase opportunities for a successful school experience through improved skills in braille, low vision adaptations, orientation and mobility, positive peer interactions, critical thinking, and practical application of adaptive technologies for learning and social networking.
2013 Courses:
- CARROLLKIDS/TEENS WEST: LEARNING AND LIVING TOGETHER for students entering Grades 3-10, Monday July 8 – Thursday July 18, 2013
- CARROLLTEENS: STRATEGIES FOR ACHIEVING CURRICULUM ACCESS & PERSONAL POTENTIAL for students entering Grades 6-10, Monday July 8 – Thursday 18, Newton MA
- CARROLLKIDS: LEARNING TO LEARN for students entering Grades 1-6, Monday July 22 – Thursday August 1, 2013 Newton, MA
Youth in Transition
This annual summer program for students ages 15 to 21 years, who are blind and visually impaired, promotes independence as they transition from children to young adults. This five-week services for the blind residential program enables students to strengthen organizational skills, personal and home management skills and community travel abilities through skills training, socialization and recreational opportunities. Students will attend structured classes that include daily living skills, health management, career exploration, money management, technology, and travel options to name a few. Weekly field trips enable students to experience the best of Boston’s historic sites, beaches, museums and amusement parks. A variety of clubs, evening and weekend activities allow for socialization, leadership and increased confidence.
Real World of Work Experience
Do you want to work this summer and make money while having fun with friends? Let us find your “first summer job” and help you make it a rewarding experience. Week one you will receive mobility training, job readiness classes and visit your job site. For the remaining four weeks you will work part-time, visit other employment sites and join your peers on field trips.
Students must have a photo ID, be age 16 or older, and have updated immunizations. They must have travel skills and be able to work a minimum of 15 hours per week. Previous Youth in Transition Students are given priority in this program.
Transition to College
You have the academics; now get a taste of college life so you are prepared for the college experience. During the first two weeks students will strengthen their technology skills. In weeks 3 and 4, students will fine tune their independent skills in travel, information management, and personal and home care. The remaining two weeks will be spent living and learning on a private college campus partaking in orientation type seminars. Learn about dorm life, disability services for the blind, managing readers, ordering books, creating a safe social life and more. Students will be required to bring a laptop computer or PDA to take notes and write documents. Eligible students must plan to graduate from high school in 2012 or 2013 or be current college students planning to live on a campus.
Computing for College
Strong written communication and computer skills are a necessity for high school and college students. This two week course will provide students with advanced training in file management; office applications; scanning with various formats; and accessing e-books. Students will also further develop their web browsing, google searching, and social networking abilities. Demonstrations of web-based college management software will be provided. Book readers and IOS device utilization such as iPhones and iPads will be included.
Using a wide variety of technology for the blind, students will be instructed in: MSWord, Outlook, Excel, Powerpoint & Kurzweil. Course is ideal for students who use JAWs or Zoomtext. Students should bring PDAs and/or laptop computers if they have them to this training. Students with Macintosh computers will be accommodated.
Accessible iOS App Camp
The iPad and iPhone and applications for blind users are providing students with independent access to travel, entertainment and socialization. During this 5 day class, students will learn to utilize VoiceOver and/or Zoom, and explore the best applications for blind users. Recommended for blind and low vision students in middle or high school who use speech, magnification or braille to interact with technology. Housing is available. Please bring one device with you.
Summer Computer Courses
One or two-week computer courses will be available during the summer for students who need individualized instruction or are beginning computer users.
Information Days
If you have never been to the Center, you are welcome to attend one of our monthly Information Days. Visit our Information Days Page for upcoming dates. We encourage all applicants to apply to our programs early in the calendar year as all our programs tend to fill up quickly.
Registration/Inquiries
To inquire about summer programs or to schedule a visit, please contact Dina Rosenbaum, Director of Marketing, at (617) 969-6200 or (800) 852-3131, x238
or via email.
Testimonial
Listen to what one of our former students has to say about his experience at the Carroll Center.