To Whom it may Concern:

We, the mentees of the College Success Program, are writing this letter out of deep concern for the future of the CSP. We recently and abruptly learned that as of April 1, Envision will be suspending all CSP operations until mid-summer. Without detail and solidified plans, we as mentees have been left with many questions and growing concerns about the future of the program. While we hope that the CSP will in fact return, we cannot help but worry that the program is ultimately in danger of degradation or termination. For these reasons, we want to take the time to express what this program means to all of us; how it has impacted us; and how discontinuing it will deeply impact us as students, mentees, and blind individuals.

CSP mentorship has been instrumental to us as students and job seekers. The treasured relationships we have formed with our mentors have been invaluable in our journeys. Their guidance has helped us navigate those obstacles and troubleshoot problems unique to us as blind and visually impaired individuals and in ways in which outside communities cannot. They empathize with our challenges, help us to overcome our self-doubt, and remind us of what is possible, because they are modeling for us, what is possible. Without guidance and without reminders that we have rights; that any level of education is obtainable; that we as blind and visually impaired individuals are capable and deserving of obtainingmeaningful employment; and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel of challenges we face as blind students, it is all too easy to become overwhelmed by the lack of understanding we experience from sighted communities. We have come to rely on these relationships and to have them so abruptly severed has been shocking and disappointing to say the least. For some, our mentor is the only one in our corner, encouraging us and lighting the way. Without warning, this suspension has essentially left many of us without a lifeline and we worry that these relationships may be lost to us.

This program also provides us with valuable resources specific to the blind community. Over the years, the CSP has allowed us to share knowledge and connect each other with numerous lesser known resources. We have Gained so much information from each other about advocacy, scholarships, accessibility, technology, travel, daily living skills, and extracurricular activities. The CSP summer workshops have allowed us to selectively learn about; improve skills in; and/or indulge in topics/activities of interest and necessity. Through these, we have been able to not only learn new skills, but also bridge our gaps in knowledge. We support and encourage each other no matter what level of understanding we enter with. We all know that we are free to ask questions spanning from technology/accessibility to hobbies, without judgement and that those questions will be answered by individuals who have first-hand experience implementing those solutions. Without the CSP, we are losing the pipeline to these resources.

We also want to impress upon you that the College Success Program also serves as an invaluable and vital source of safe and judgement-free social interaction. What many people outside of the blind community may not understand, is that some rarely if ever, have the opportunity to socialize regularly. Seldom do we get the chance to connect with individuals who share similar experiences and can truly empathize. The CSP’s twice weekly meetups gives us that chance to learn, connect, brainstorm, network, decompress, laugh, and empathize with others who have shared interest and struggles. Some have already surmounted the barriers that others are just coming to face. Some are at the same point in their journeys and can support each other by sharing a sense of unity and camaraderie. Some of us are still learning to accept, understand, and even laugh about the road ahead. No one should have to do it alone without a support system. Our fear is that without the CSP to facilitate interactions amongst peers, many face an unnecessarily lonely journey. Understand that for students with compounded disabilities, this is sometimes the only safe and accessible social interaction they receive and therefore, the only way they can practice social skills. 

The CSP is so much more than just a program. It is a growing community, support system, and safe space. And for many of us, it is the only one available. We are genuinely concerned about the future of the CSP, and we want to make sure that we fully communicate the impact of this program and all that it means to us. We ask that we as students and mentees are included in and have a voice in upcoming decisions and changes. We implore you to take into consideration how the structure of this program has and continues to facilitate our success as blind students. We entreat you to contemplate the importance of providing mentees with mentors who understand our unique stories as blind individuals. And we ask that you consider how the one-on-one and group components paired with flexibility are instrumental to our success not only in school, but in our transitions into our careers. This program is not an extravagance, it is a necessity. One that we hold dear and are willing to fight wholeheartedly for.

Sincerely,

The Mentees of Envision’s College Success Program and Supporters.