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WALIC 
(Working and Living in the Community)

• Video of SWEAT/WALIC Quicktime version
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• Application Form
• Program Descriptions

Working in a local green house

Alphabetizing and restocking books at public library.

Receiving wages at the end of the work week

June 22 – July 18

Sample Class Report (158k )

The WALIC program is an excellent 4-week vocational and independent living program for students 16 - 22 years of age who are visually impaired with developmental disabilities. Students must be able to participate in approximately 16 hours a week of work-related activities with only moderate support from a job coach (up to 5 hours of work in a given day). In addition:

• Students should be fairly independent in their dressing, eating, toileting, hygiene, and communication abilities.
• Students should not have challenging behaviors that interfere with the instruction of self or others.
• Students are expected to participate for the full four weeks of the summer program. If you are not able to make this full commitment or if you are not sure your child can endure a program of this length, please discuss this with the principal at this time in order to determine whether special arrangements can be made.

Students spend most of their day at a community job with two job coaches, in groups of approximately four students. At these job sites, they are introduced to: (1) a variety of work routines, (2) skills for interacting with a supervisor and coworkers, and (3) other expectations for the work situation. Students learn to manage the money received for their work (a $25/week training fee) through experiences such as budgeting, paying a minimal amount for rent and utilities, shopping, and recreational activities.

Students live in home-like settings where they are taught independent living skills (such as cooking, cleaning, dressing, and personal hygiene), and participate in recreational activities and social interaction with peers. Emphasis is placed on developing independent living and community access skills, as well as promoting personal responsibility and initiative, during work and throughout all other activities.

For information about program content, contact Margot Marshall (512) 206-9398
MargotMarshall@tsbvi.edu

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

Last revision: January 10, 2008