Capitol News

Nine individuals and five organizations were recognized by the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) at its annual Excellence Awards ceremony held in Kalamazoo. The event honored people who have reached their goals in employment or independent living after vision loss, as well as organizations that support the bureau’s mission.

The BSBP, which is part of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, highlighted the efforts of vocational rehabilitation customers, independent living service users, students in Pre-Employment Transition Services, and business and community partners.

Stephanie Beckhorn, Director of LEO’s Office of Employment and Training, stated, “The achievements of the customers, businesses and community partners honored speak to what is possible when we all work together to help make Michigan a more inclusive state. The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons is dedicated to ensuring all Michiganders have the opportunity to gain the skills needed to be successful and businesses have the talent they need to stay competitive.”

The ceremony coincided with National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which aims to inform the public about disability employment issues and recognize the contributions of workers with disabilities.

“These award recipients serve as admirable examples of what can be accomplished through hard work and perseverance by individuals who are visually impaired and the businesses that share our core value of inclusion,” said BSBP Director Mike Pemble.

Nominations for the awards came from BSBP staff statewide. To qualify, individuals had to show commitment to personal growth by making use of BSBP services and integrating those skills into their daily lives.

Awardees among vocational rehabilitation customers included Marcus Townsend from Lansing, Joshua Brandt from Grand Blanc, David Stirneman from Orion Township, and David Cross from Kaleva. Other honorees were Eric Bates (Training Center Customer, East Tawas), Kendra Witham (Pre-Employment Transition Services Customer, Muskegon), Penni Davidson (Independent Living Customer, Reed City), Mary Ann Brousseau (Independent Living Customer, Alpena), and Debra Beamish (Independent Living Customer, Sault Ste Marie).

Among business partners, Utz Quality Foods in Grand Rapids was recognized. Community partners honored included Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes, New Horizons in Ann Arbor, Michigan Department of Education Resource for Blind/Low Vision in Lansing, and Graham Rehabilitation in Caledonia.

The BSBP operates as Michigan’s vocational rehabilitation agency for blind, deafblind, and significantly visually impaired individuals. Through seven field offices, it offers workplace readiness training and vocational rehabilitation services that help people with vision loss pursue employment opportunities. The agency also collaborates with businesses to provide access to qualified candidates with visual impairments.

BSBP’s Training Center in Kalamazoo delivers independent living and workplace readiness skills. The agency supports blind entrepreneurs who operate food services in 194 state and federal buildings during fiscal year 2024. Additionally, the Braille and Talking Book Library in Lansing serves people unable to use standard print materials; in fiscal year 2024, it served over 7,300 patrons and distributed more than 625,000 audio and braille books.

Funding for these programs is provided mainly through federal grants from the U.S. Department of Education with additional support from state funds. In fiscal year 2024, federal grant funding included $19.1 million for Vocational Rehabilitation (with Pre-ETS reserve at $2.87 million), and $977,729 for Independent Living Older Blind programs.

More information about the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons is available at Michigan.gov/BSBP.