Join us for the 1st Annual White Cane Awareness 5K

A man and a woman stand outdoors, smiling. The woman holds a white cane. The text "Join The fun" appears at the bottom.
When: October 13, 2024 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Spring Valley Park, 2600 Mt Olivet Rd. Kalamazoo MI 49004
 
The American Council for the Blind lists Kalamazoo as one of the top five most blind friendly cities in the United States to live. MidWest Enterprises for the Blind, Inc. (MWEB) and Western Michigan University (WMU) are hosting a White Cane 5K on October 13, 2024 at Spring Valley Park in Kalamazoo, Michigan. MWEB and WMU hope to raise awareness in a fun and healthy way. Come walk or run and connect with the blind community!

Information Sessions

Learn about our nationally respected Orientation & Mobility and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy programs in a virtual information session with our faculty and advisors.

Program information is available on our website.

WMU’s orientation and mobility and vision rehabilitation therapy personnel preparation programs are the longest-running programs of their kind in the U.S. Over the past 58 years, in close collaboration with state vocational rehabilitation agencies and Veterans Administration Hospitals, our program has been the nation’s largest preparer of VRTs and O&M specialists. Our department has also spent decades preparing Teachers of Children with Visual Impairments and has recently begun training professionals in Assistive Technology.  

We welcome you to explore studies in this exciting field that promotes productive and independent lifestyles and helps:

  • Adults and children to travel independently around the house and around the world.
  • Adults to gain skills to compete for professional positions.
  • Children to succeed in educational programs and learn academic curriculum and expanded core curriculum skills.
  • Adults and children to gain proficiency in using modern assistive technologies.

Outcomes

Graduation and Certification Stats - Fall 2018 – Summer II 2023

 One year retention rateGraduation rateAverage time to completion (years)% of graduates who are employed% of graduates who are ACVREP certified in the area of training
in-persononline
Orientation and Mobility94%91%1.49 2.0599%82%
Vision Rehabilitation Therapy95%92%1.592.4094%75%
Assistive Technology100%100%NA 1.51100%75%