Parent/Guardian Role

EMPOWERing Youth with Visual Impairment (“EMPOWER”) is a project funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). The goal of EMPOWER is to equip transition-aged students with visual impairment living in rural communities, their families, and the transition professionals who serve them with virtual supports to improve postsecondary education and employment outcomes. The EMPOWER mentoring program was developed with these goals in mind. The virtual format of the mentorship program allows for easier connections with our rural community members. With guidance and support from EMPOWER staff, Mentors with visual impairments can draw upon their experiences and expertise to encourage Mentees with visual impairments to successfully navigate their postsecondary goals. Mentoring by adults with visual impairment can provide a supportive bridge for transition-aged youth with visual impairment, helping them build confidence, skills, and a path toward a successful future. Benefits from mentoring include shared understanding, role modeling, career guidance, networking, and support in building self-advocacy skills. Through this program, Mentors and Mentees will partner to develop Mentee-driven goals. With support and guidance from their Mentor, the Mentee will take steps to progress towards reaching their goals.

Initial Screening

• Complete the Mentee Application.
• Support your child through the Mentee interview.
• Complete the Vanderbilt University Participation Agreement for Adults/Minors Under Age 18 Years of Age form.
• Complete the Parent Agreement.

Parent Role

• Support your child’s opportunity to develop and participate in an ongoing, virtual, one-to-one relationship with an adult Mentor with a visual impairment (EMPOWER VI Mentoring Program staff will provide supervision).
• Understand that the mentoring sessions will only include the Mentor and the Mentee (with the EMPOWER VI Mentoring Program staff able to join the meeting as needed).
• Encourage your child to work towards the goals they build with their Mentor.
• Encourage/remind your child to attend mentoring sessions with their Mentor. You will be notified in advance about any scheduled mentoring sessions.
• Communicate with the EMPOWER VI team if you have questions or concerns.

Time Commitment

• Attend an initial orientation alongside your child (60 minutes in August).
• Participate in 45 minutes of training prior to the start of Mentoring sessions.

Benefits

• Your child will receive support to progress and achieve their goals related to adulthood.
• Your child will connect with an adult with visual barriers who can offer experience, expertise, and encouragement.
• Training sessions and learning activities.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please complete the Mentee Application. For more information or questions, contact the EMPOWER VI Mentoring program by emailing info@empower.org.