East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind (ETLB) offers educational programs designed to prepare teens and young adults for life beyond high school. Through our college preparatory program, scholarship program, and annual summer camp, teens and young adults who are blind or have a visual impairment have the opportunity to equip themselves with the skills necessary to conquer their transition goals.
We believe summers should be full of fun, friends, and fearlessness! In 2022, ETLB launched “Camp Lighthouse” to ensure high schoolers who are blind or have visual impairments have an opportunity to safely experience a week of independence, confidence-building, and connections with friends like them.
During this six-day camp each June, students stay overnight on the University of Texas at Tyler’s campus and participate in fun and educational activities around the Tyler area. Activities are designed to incorporate the Expanded Core Curriculum and focus on skill development in the areas of independent living, orientation and mobility, recreation and leisure, self-determination, and social interaction.
Campers can expect to engage in many indoor and outdoor activities, including cooking, team building, ropes courses, climbing, horseback riding, goal ball, and much, much more!
The 2025 Camp Lighthouse will be offered June 22 – 27.
If you or your business would like to be part of a life changing experience, please contact Craig Ellis at cellis@etxlighthouse.org. Sponsor benefits will run through the 2025 Camp and include logos on our website and printed material.
For more information about the program content or application process, please contact MK Kahrhoff, ETLB College and Career Readiness Counselor at 903-590-4335, or by email at mkahrhoff@etxlighthouse.org.
We are looking to fill several different positions, including a Dorm Counselor, Greeters (for check-in and check-out), and an Independent Living Counselor to assist Dorm Counselors with cooking in the evenings. Click below to view descriptions for each volunteer position and click to complete the application!
For students with low vision, moving out and heading to college is a big step, and can be even more daunting without a local network. The ETLB College Prep Program allows recent high school graduates to experience college firsthand while receiving ongoing transition support and training from its staff.
During this five-week summer program, College Prep participants enroll in a three credit hour Learning Frameworks course at Tyler Junior College (TJC) and live independently on TJC’s campus while receiving skills training at ETLB in the areas of O&M, ADL, assistive technology (AT), and postsecondary education and career preparation.
Students will also get the opportunity to explore the Tyler area and participate in recreational and leisure activities.
The 2025 College Prep program will be July 6 – August 8.
Please note that space is limited, and student approvals are completed on a first-come, first-served basis. Admittance into the program is also based on TJC housing availability and available space in designated Learning Frameworks course.
For more information about the program content or application process, please contact MK Kahrhoff, ETLB College and Career Readiness Counselor at 903-590-4335, or by email at mkahrhoff@etxlighthouse.org.
We believe in removing barriers and creating opportunities for those who are blind or visually impaired. ETLB offers needs-based educational scholarships for individuals pursuing postsecondary education opportunities, including two-year, four-year, and graduate degrees.
This program can help cover school-related expenses such as tuition, books, fees, technology, housing, and transportation. Students who receive scholarship funds through this program are also offered educational case management services to help ensure a holistic approach to success.
All scholarship applications are reviewed and awarded each semester based on the student’s academic performance, demonstrated need, and amount of funding available. Eligibility requirements include:
All supporting documentation – except current semester grades and invoices not yet posted by the student’s postsecondary institution (e.g. housing bill) – must be received by the posted deadline. Current semester grades and other required documentation received by student after the application deadline must be submitted as soon as they are available.
Please note: Funding amounts are based on demonstrated need, student performance, and amount of funding available. Funding limits are based on funding availability and may vary between semesters.
The Spring 2025 Scholarship application window has closed. For more information about the program or application process, please contact MK Kahrhoff, Education and Employment Services Administrator, at 903-590-4335, or by email at mkahrhoff@etxlighthouse.
East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind is proud to announce two new grant opportunities for teachers of students with visual impairments (TSVIs), certified orientation and mobility specialists (COMS), and other professionals who directly serve blind or visually impaired children or young adults. We have three grant cycles throughout the year based on when the activity is planned.
Student-Related Grant Details
Requirements:
Professional Development Grant Details
Requirements:
The Spring/Summer 2025 Educator Grant application window has closed. For more information about the program or application process, please contact MK Kahrhoff, Education and Employment Services Administrator, at 903-590-4335, or by email at mkahrhoff@etxlighthouse.org.