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October 23, 2026
National Disability Employment Awareness Month event spotlights the positive impact of people with disabilities in the workforce
LANSING, Mich. — Nine individuals who achieved their goals for employment or independent living after vision loss, one partner and six organizations that represent the values of National Disability Employment Awareness Month were honored by the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) during its annual Excellence Awards ceremony on Friday.
BSBP, housed within the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), recognized customers of vocational rehabilitation and independent living services, students receiving Pre-Employment Transition Services, and business and community partners during its virtual event.
“This year’s Excellence Award honorees remind us of what is possible when barriers are removed and opportunities are made accessible for all,” said LEO Director Susan Corbin. “At LEO, we believe that providing meaningful pathways for blind and visually impaired individuals is essential to building a workforce — and a state — that values the full potential of every person.”
The BSBP Excellence Awards ceremony is held annually during October’s observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which is intended to educate the public about disability employment issues and celebrate the contributions of America's workers with disabilities.
“Michigan’s economic story is incomplete without the contributions of all its residents, and the individuals we recognized during the Excellence Awards ceremony demonstrate the talent, creativity and leadership that enrich our workforce,” said Stephanie Beckhorn, Director of LEO’s Office of Employment and Training. “Their success is a reminder of what is possible when we invest in the potential of every Michigander.”
“The individuals and partners we recognized truly exemplify what is possible when belief and commitment are backed by action,” said Bureau of Services for Blind Persons Director Mike Pemble. “Their hard work and determination show that people who are blind or visually impaired can not only excel, but thrive — in their careers, in their communities and in their personal lives. Their achievements strengthen Michigan’s future, and we are grateful for all they contribute.”
Nominations for Excellence Award candidates came from BSBP staff throughout the state. To qualify, a BSBP customer must have demonstrated a strong commitment to their growth and development by taking advantage of BSBP services and incorporating the skills and resources acquired into their daily life.
“I would like to highlight that we have added new awards this year, giving us an opportunity to recognize partners in the Braille and Talking Book Library program as well as an operator in the Business Enterprise Program — showcasing collaboration, volunteerism and entrepreneurship,” said Pemble.
BSBP Excellence Awards were presented to the following individuals (listed with their hometowns):
To be considered for an award, community partners and businesses must have demonstrated excellence and commitment in their efforts to employ BSBP customers, provided work-based learning experiences or other services in support of the bureau and its customers.
BSBP honored the following community partners and businesses:
BSBP is Michigan’s vocational rehabilitation agency for blind, deafblind and significantly visually impaired individuals. Providing workplace readiness training and other vocational rehabilitation services through seven field offices, BSBP empowers people who have vision loss to achieve their employment goals. The agency works with business customers to provide access to individuals who are blind, deafblind and significantly visually impaired, opening the doors to career pathways.
BSBP provides valuable independent living and workplace readiness skills through its Training Center in Kalamazoo. The agency also supports blind entrepreneurs offering food services in state and federal buildings and state rest stops. The Braille and Talking Book Library, located in Lansing, ensures print material is available to all Michiganders unable to use standard print materials. In fiscal year 2025, the library served more than 8,200 patrons, disseminating 715,100 audio and braille books.
For more information on the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons, visit Michigan.gov/BSBP.
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The programs described in this press release are funded as follows: Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) funded 78.7% through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) and 21.3% through State funding; Independent Living Older Blind (ILOB) funded 90% through a grant from the USDOE and 10% through State funding; Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) funded 100 percent through the USDOE VR grant. For the federal fiscal year 2026, federal grant funds were as follows: VR $21,531,929; Pre-ETS reserve included in VR $3,229,789; ILOB $975,898.
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