MCB details internship program, reverse job fair and White Cane Awareness Day plans

The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind updated its advisory board on workforce and outreach activities, saying the summer internship program concluded with 45 interns this year and outlining plans for employer education and White Cane Awareness Day.

Deputy Commissioner Justin Mure described the internship program’s closing ceremony at the State House and said the program has been statewide for many years with participants from western Massachusetts and other regions. She provided context that pre-pandemic intern cohorts were larger (roughly 65–70) and that starting rosters often decline as participants pursue other opportunities; this year’s cohort finished at 45 interns.

Justin Mure also described upcoming employer-facing events: an employer education seminar in September and a reverse job fair in October where candidates present directly to employers and employers then schedule interviews. When asked by a board member whether the candidate presentations would be live or pre-recorded, she said the presentations have been done live.

Board members raised interest in broader participation and asked if events could be streamed or recorded. Staff said White Cane Awareness Day has been covered by the radio reading service in past years and that they would follow up with details on any commitments to livestream or record this year’s programming.

The commissioner said the agency will send Zoom links to SAB members who want to attend the reverse job fair and that sessions will be split into shorter groups for employers’ convenience.

What’s next: staff will circulate links and schedules for the reverse job fair and confirm recording or streaming arrangements for White Cane Awareness Day and other public events.