Kalamazoo Hosts Celebration of 50 Years of Service To Blind

Michigan's Bureau of Services for Blind Persons Training Center hosted a 50th anniversary celebration Friday in Kalamazoo, of serving over 11,000 visually impaired clients.

The open house featured tours of the facility for community and business partners and was highlighted by an opportunity to break out of their holiday-themed escape room.

“The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons Training Center has a long-standing history of providing exceptional vocational education to Michigan’s blind and visually impaired residents,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said. “I commend all of the devoted educators, volunteers, participants and staff who have contributed to its growth and excellence in service over the past 50 years, and I encourage all Michiganders to join me in recognizing this historic milestone.” - Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity release

Organizers said that the students in the classroom "now face a world in which change is happening at a faster pace and assistive technologies have advanced, further removing barriers to success. While they utilize tools to help them learn lifelong skills, participants also develop critical proficiencies to make decisions based on self-determination and recognizing their unique value to an employer and the communities in which they live."