SWEAT (Summer Work Experience in Austin Texas)

SWEAT
(Summer Work Experience in Austin Texas)

Working in a local restaurant

Student assists in developing accessible software

Working at hospital rehab center

June 15 – July 18
PreSWEAT: April 18-20

Sample Class Report (159k )

This will be the 22nd annual offering of our outstanding SWEAT program, provided jointly by TSBVI and the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) / Division for Blind Services (DBS).** SWEAT is an intense, demanding, exciting and fun five weeks that prepares academic students for success in the world of work and adult living -- through increased independence, competence, and self-confidence. Students, staff and employers all rave about this program (see video). A copy of the final 2006 SWEAT report is attached, providing detailed information about the program.

Applicants should be functioning within approximately two years of grade level, and possess prerequisite skills to be successful in community employment and adult living. In particular, students must posses the social and cognitive skills to work alone at a job site. SWEAT is the most advanced vocational and independent living class offered at TSBVI, and the expectations for students are high. Students receive vocational training at paid jobs in the community, classes that focus on job-related skills and independent living skills, and Orientation and Mobility training. In order to be accepted to SWEAT, a student must agree to the following:

Students are highly encouraged to attend pre-SWEAT weekend on April 18-20. (described below)
Students are expected to participate for the full five weeks of the summer program. If you are not able to make this full commitment, please discuss this now with the principal in order to determine whether special arrangements can be made.
During the first week of the program, and occasionally during later weeks, students will have after-school homework assignments related to vocational and independent living skills. In addition to evening recreational activities, students will be expected to complete their homework assignments.
Students will be expected to use a cane for mobility at all appropriate times, regardless of degree of vision loss.
Students are expected to spend weekends on campus as part of the SWEAT program. Students will be given permission for one off-campus weekend during the program. If a dire situation arises requiring the student to go home at any other time, this should be discussed in advance with the principal.
Students will earn a training fee approximately equivalent to the minimum wage after deductions. From this fee, students will be expected to pay a minimal amount for living expenses. The purpose of this activity is to help students learn to budget and pay bills.

During the first week of SWEAT, students will receive intensive training in independent living skills (including mobility), as well as exposure to job-related skills such as interviewing and appropriate interpersonal skills. During the remaining four weeks, students will be employed at individual, paid jobs somewhere in the Austin community. After participating in the SWEAT program, it is expected that students will be better prepared to take part in summer jobs offered in their local community.

The number of applicants for SWEAT typically exceeds the number of students who can be served. Students who are not selected may be offered options for attending other summer programs at TSBVI, so please consider selecting other Academic Secondary Enrichment programs as an alternate choice. A student can remain on the SWEAT waiting list while enrolled in another program, and move to SWEAT should an opening arise.

Pre-SWEAT Weekend: All selected students are strongly encouraged to attend the pre-SWEAT weekend at TSBVI, beginning the evening of Friday April 18 and ending at 10:00 Sunday morning April 20. If you live far away and need to leave home before the end of the Friday school day, the TSBVI principal will write a letter to your school’s principal requesting that Friday be an excused absence. Pre-SWEAT is a nice way for students to participate in enjoyable activities with peers, see how they think they will like the program, and help our staff get to know you so that we can develop better summer job placements, provide more individualized O&M training, and view your skills of independent living. It is difficult to select an appropriate job for a student who we do not know. Students needing support with transportation on that weekend may request assistance from DARS/DBS, their school district, or their Education Service Center.

**SWEAT students should be on the DARS/DBS caseload. If you do not yet have a DBS caseworker, you are encourage to pursue this during the spring, as DARS/DBS offers many services to students that extend beyond the need to enroll in this class.

For information about program content, contact Laura Wofford (512) 206-9303
LauraWofford@tsbvi.edu

For information about the application process, contact Cathy Olsen (512) 206-9182
CathyOlsen@tsbvi.edu

Last revision: January 10, 2008