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| Last updated on October 27, 2008 |
Bosma Enterprises is dedicated to empowering people who are blind or visually impaired by creating opportunities that lead to the achievement of each individual's employment,economic, social, and self-determination goals.
Description:
Bosma Enterprises is a private not-for-profit agency, which has been serving individuals with visual impairments or blindness since 1915. In 1984, an executive order proclaimed that we be known as the Charles E. Bosma Industries for the Blind, in tribute to Charles E. Bosma, who served in the General Assembly for 18 years and was instrumental in our success. In 2006, Indiana privatized rehabilitation services for the blind and visually impaired and named Bosma as program provider. At that time, the organization became Bosma Enterprises to reflect the new variety of services being offered.
We are currently achieving our mission with six programs: Vocational Assessment Program-designed to help the job seeker explore their employment interests, skills, and aptitudes and develop a specific employment goal;Student Training and Employment Program(STEP)-assists students transitioning from school to the workforce. STEP allows students to experience a real work setting, gain employment skills and boost their self esteem and confidence for life after graduation;Employment Placement Program-assists individuals in a self-directed job search toward successful, gainful employment. Adaptive Technology assistance and orientation and mobility training are available. Follow-along services are provided to assist the person served toward a successful employment closure;Organizational Employment Program-provides employment opportunities for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The employees are paid a competitive hourly wage and receive a full benefit package;Rehabilitation Center Program-a center based program which provides comprehensive vision rehabilitation services to individuals whose visual impairment interferes with daily living skills as it pertains to home, work, or educational endeavors. The program is tailored to each individual's needs and goals and takes place at the Bosma Rehabilitation Center. This program serves persons statewide and housing options are available for those individuals who reside outside of the immediate area;Itinerant Rehabilitation Teaching Program(IRT)-a home based program that provides rehabilitation services to individuals that have a visual impairment that interferes with their daily living skills. The program provides individualized training which occurs in the client's home.This program is provided statewide by Rehabilitation Teachers who are located in regions throughout the State. The IRT program includes Senior Programs that are specific to individuals who are 55 and older. This program includes training with one-on-one interaction with a Rehabilitation Teacher or can be held in a community group setting.
During each of these programs, we provide personalized program planning, training, and support. We encourage each individual to attain the highest level of career functioning and self-sufficiency.
In addition to our programs, we provide other community services, such as information and referral services with various consumer groups, public education, networking within our community of social services agencies and outreach to individuals with visual impairments in our area.
History:
Originally founded as the Indiana Industrial Home for Blind Men, the Industries for the Blind has been serving Indiana since 1915. The Board of Industrial Aid for the Blind directed the operations until 1953, at which time, the legislature placed it under the direction of the Indiana Rehabilitation Services. In 1984, an executive order proclaimed the Industrial Workshop be known as the Charles E Bosma Industries for the Blind, in tribute to Charles E. Bosma, who served in the Indiana General Assembly for 18 years.
In 1985, the Indiana Rehabilitation Services were incorporated into the Indiana Department of Human Services, with the Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired as the overseer of the operations of Bosma Industries for the Blind. Later that year, a Request for Proposal, to privatize the operations of Bosma Industries for the Blind was issued.
In reaction to this proposal, a Board of Directors was established in March of 1988 and the new not - for - profit corporation was named Bosma Industries for the Blind, Inc. A new director was named in May of 1988 and in July of the same year, the new staff took over operations. In 1993, following the successful addition of several new prime products and rehabilitative programs, Bosma Industries moved its operation to 59 South State Avenue. In 2005, Bosma outgrew this facility and moved again to its current home at 8020 Zionsville Road
Contact people:
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Heather Quigley, Director Of Philanthropy, (phone), (email)
Becky Olszewski, Director, Community Outreach, (phone), (email)
Kara Fox, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) |
Office fax number: 317-684-1946
Address:
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8020 Zionsville Road
Indianapolis, IN 46268
(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.bosma.org
Directions:
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Bosma is located on the Northwest Side of Indianapolis in the Park 100 area. We are just off I-465, on the west side of Zionsville Road north of 79th Street.
Nearest Bus Stop: our parking lot, 1 minute walk |
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