Compass can be an option for your child, client or student. We can help.
Most Compass students are entitled to program funding through their state Vocational Rehabilitation program or Commission for the Blind. Your transition counselor can get you started.
A few key things you need to know when you request funding: Compass meets the funding requirements for Pre-employment Transition Services (PreETS). These funds support enrichment programming your child or student might participate in, including Compass.
If you’re not registered with either agency, consider engaging with your Special Education department to explore including it in your child’s IEP.
And if you have questions, our Admissions team is always here to help. Contact us at [email protected] — we’ll be happy to guide you through the process.
Summary of Pre-ETS Services included in Compass
Job exploration counseling
- Participants will receive job exploration counseling by:
- Discussing trends in the labor market, in-demand industries/occupations and non-traditional career options
- Exploring employment pathways of interest
- Hearing from visually impaired and typically sighted speakers who work in various occupational fields
- Completing a career interest inventory that provides insight into vocational paths
- Responding to a work personality evaluation to determine the traits, characteristics, attitudes and values that make up their work personalities
- Completing a discrepancy analysis that compares their job interests and perceived abilities to the skills and qualifications necessary to be successful in various positions
Work-based learning experiences
- Participants will receive work-based learning experiences by:
- Conducting informational interviews
- Participating in career mentorship
- Following workplace guidelines with respect to attendance, punctuality, professionalism and productivity
Counseling for post-secondary transition
- Participants will receive higher education counseling by:
- Documenting academic accommodations
- Advocating for needed accommodations and services
- Identifying interests, abilities, talents, learning preferences and goals
- Promoting use of executive functioning skills
- Learning about educational and vocational laws
- Identifying technology needs
- Selecting admission test accommodations
- Receiving guidance on a variety of post-secondary education and training opportunities
Workplace readiness training
- Students will participate in workplace readiness training by:
- Receiving feedback and self-reflecting on their communication, attitude, active listening, body language, professionalism and other critical soft skills
- Participating in group activities designed to promote leadership, teamwork and problem-solving/decision-making skills
- Learning to identify causes of conflicts and finding resolutions to them
- Creating and implementing an action plan to develop skills in independent living, orientation, mobility and financial literacy
Instruction in self-advocacy
- Participants will develop their self-advocacy skills by:
- Learning about their rights and responsibilities as citizens with disabilities
- Practicing how to discuss their disability and necessary accommodations
- Learning about their skills, interests and abilities
- Gaining experiences and acquiring skills to build their confidence and sense of self
- Having opportunities to ask for help or decline assistance
Learn more about Compass from the educator’s perspective
In this interactive information session, you’ll hear from the Compass coaches as well as a TVI who has participated in the program. The discussion focuses on their experience in Compass and the impact it’s had on their students.
This session was the third in our three-part series, “College Readiness for Blind and Visually Impaired Students – from Resources to the Real World.” For more college readiness content, check out the other two sessions: Introducing the College Readiness Resource Center and Compass, from the Student Perspective.
Have questions about funding for Compass?
Our Admissions team is always happy to help — get in touch and we can tackle all of your questions about the funding process.
Join the conversation.
Our team is committed to changing the way students with blindness and visual impairment prepare for their post-secondary journeys. If you want to learn more, let’s talk.
Alumni perspectives
We’ve taken our learnings and turned them into programs that work and help families make informed decisions.