S.O.A.R. 2026 Participant Application

Participant Application Process

Thank you for considering applying to S.O.A.R.!

The application process has 4 steps.

You must complete all four steps before your application will be considered:

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility. Review the following Eligibility Requirements to ensure you qualify to apply to S.O.A.R.:

- Be 16 to 21 years old.
- Meet legal definition of blindness (visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with correction (glasses/contacts), have a diagnosed progressive vision loss, or have visual fields measuring less than 20 degrees).
- Live in Missouri (applications from out-of-state candidates will be reviewed though preference is given to MO residents).
- Expectation to live independently.
- Expectation to pursue competitive employment, vocational training, or college after high school.
- Be available to participate in all 3 weeks of programming without absence.

Step 2: Retrieve a copy of your IEP or 504 Plan: Please retrieve and save an electronic copy of your IEP or 504 Plan from high school, college or employment. If you do not have an IEP or 504 Plan, explain why in your Personal Essay.

Step 3: Write your Personal Essay: Write a personal essay using Microsoft Word explaining why you want to attend S.O.A.R. and why you consider yourself a strong candidate for this competitive program.
Your essay should include:
(a) your strengths regarding independent living;
(b) areas of challenge you experience regarding daily living skills;
(c) areas of challenge you experience regarding independently travel;
(d) what prior instruction you receive or received regarding independent living skills.

Step 4: Complete the Online Application: Complete the online application and upload a copy of the IEP/504 document as well as a copy of your Personal Essay. Once we receive your application, it will be reviewed by our admittance team. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Then, a representative from S.O.A.R. will contact you to discuss your current skills and have you complete a self-rating scale.

We look forward to reviewing your application!

Question Title

* 1. Participant Demographics:

Last Name:

First Name:

Date of Birth:

Age as of June 7, 2026

Street Address:

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Participant Phone Number (use hyphens xxx-xxx-xxxx):

Participant Email Address:

Biological Sex (male/female):

Current High School/College (if graduated, write "none"):

Grade as of June 2026 (if graduated, write "none"):

High School Graduation Year:

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* 2. Parent/Guardian Information (if you are 18+ and are your own decision-maker, please write "none" where applicable).

Parent/Guardian 1 Name (if none, write "none"):

Parent/Guardian 1 Email (if none, write "none"):

Parent/Guardian 1 Mobile Phone (if none, write "none") (use hyphens xxx-xxx-xxxx):

Parent Guardian 2 Name (if none, write "none"):

Parent/Guardian 2 Email(if none, write "none"):

Parent/Guardian 2 Mobile Phone (if none, write "none") (use hyphens xxx-xxx-xxxx):

Emergency Contact Name: (required)

Emergency Contact Relationship: (required)

Emergency Contact Mobile Phone (use hyphens xxx-xxx-xxxx) (required):

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* 3. Participant Demographics

Please list and explain any known absences during the program (June 7-June 27, 2026) - if none, write "none":

Have you previously participated in S.O.A.R or another similar residential program for individuals with visual impairments (yes/no)? If Yes, please name and describe the program and year(s) you attended:

Do you attend or previously attend a State School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (yes/no)? If yes, please name the school and the total number of year(s) you have attended:

What is your preferred reading medium (Regular Print, Large Print, Electronic, Audio, or Braille Hard Copy)?

Do you utilize a long, white cane for mobility (yes/no)?

Please list any assistive technologies (JAWS, ZoomText, Braille Display, etc.) and/or low vision devices (magnifier, monocular, CCTV, etc.) you utilize - if none, write "none":

What size adult t-shirt do you prefer?

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* 4. Participant Medical Information

Visual Diagnosis:

Distance Visual Acuity right eye (if "none," write "none") [Ex. 20/200, NLP, etc.]:

Distance Visual Acuity left eye (if "none," write "none") [Ex. 20/200, NLP, etc.]:

Distance Visual Acuity both eyes (if none, write "none") [Ex. 20/200, NLP, no eyes, etc.]:

Near Vision Acuity both eyes (if none, write "none") [Ex. 20/80, NLP, no eyes, etc.)

Visual Field Deficit (degree(s) of vision present, if no deficits, write "none"):

Non-Visual Medical Diagnoses (Cerebral Palsy; Hearing Impairment; Asthma; ADHD; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Emotional Disturbance, etc. - if none, write "none"):

List prescription medications (if none, write "none"):

Do you require a nurse or another person to administer your medication (yes or no):

Do any of your medications require injection (yes/no):

List food allergies (if none, write "none"):

List dietary restrictions (if none, write "none"):

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* 5. Please list and provide an email address for relevant professionals you currently work with regarding your visual impairment. If you do not work with the professional(s) listed below, please write, "none".

Teacher of the Visually Impaired (name):

Teacher of the Visually Impaired (email):

Orientation & Mobility Specialist (name):

Orientation & Mobility Specialist (email):

Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (name):

Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (email):

Other (name/role/email):

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* 6. If the applicant/participant is less than 18 years old or not their own guardian, a parent/guardian must complete this section. If the applicant/participant is 18+ years old, write "N/A" in each field below.

CONSENT FOR RELEASE OF INFORMATION:
I hereby authorize and give permission to the Lighthouse for the Blind – St. Louis to obtain and/or provide information to prior or current school district(s), related professionals, optometrist/ophthalmologist, State Rehabilitation Services for the Blind, or any other educational institution(s) or rehabilitative programs or agencies for programming and collaboration regarding the applicant/participant listed below.

Applicant/Participant Name:

Parent/Guardian Name:

Electronic Signature for Consent:

Date:

Question Title

* 7. If the applicant/participant is 18+ years old, complete this section. If the applicant/participant is less than 18 years old or not their own guardian, write "N/A" in each field below.

CONSENT FOR RELEASE OF INFORMATION:
I hereby authorize and give permission to the Lighthouse for the Blind – St. Louis to obtain and/or provide information to prior or current school district(s), related professionals, optometrist/ophthalmologist, State Rehabilitation Services for the Blind, or any other educational institution(s) or rehabilitative programs or agencies for programming and collaboration regarding the applicant/participant listed below.

Applicant/Participant Name:

Participant Name:

Affirm Consent for Release of Information by wiring "I AGREE":

Date:

Question Title

* 8. If the applicant/participant is less than 18 years old or not their own guardian, a parent/guardian must complete this section. If the applicant/participant is 18+ years old, write "N/A" in each field below.

CONSENT FOR PUBLICITY RELEASE OF INFORMATION:
I hereby authorize and give permission for the name, photograph, video and/or other identifying information (such as age, eye condition, etc.) to be used by the Lighthouse for the Blind – St. Louis for publicity / collaborative / training purposes for the applicant/participant listed below. I understand such uses may include brochures, newsletters, website entries, press releases, or written stories without payment or any other compensation. I further understand some uses may be for information and material sent to other organizations/companies (newspapers, television, radio, conference presentations, etc.) and that the materials will become the property of the Lighthouse for the Blind – St. Louis and will not be returned.

Applicant/Participant Name:

Participant Name:

Electronic Signature for Consent:

Date:

Question Title

* 9. If the applicant/participant is 18+ years old, complete this section. If the applicant/participant is less than 18 years old or not their own guardian, write "N/A" in each field below.

PUBLICITY RELEASE CONSENT:
I hereby authorize and give permission for my name, photograph, video and/or other identifying information (such as age, eye condition, etc.) to be used by the Lighthouse for the Blind – St. Louis for publicity / collaborative / training purposes. I understand such uses may include brochures, newsletters, website entries, press releases, or written stories without payment or any other compensation. I further understand some uses may be for information and material sent to other organizations/companies (newspapers, television, radio, conference presentations, etc.) and that the materials will become the property of the Lighthouse for the Blind – St. Louis and will not be returned.

Applicant/Participant Name:

Participant Name:

Electronic Signature for Consent:

Date:

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* 10. PERSONAL ESSAY

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* 11. IEP or 504 Plan

If you experience any problems with this application process or uploading attachments, please contact Kevin Hollinger, Director S.O.A.R. (soar@lhbindustries.com). Late applications will not be accepted. The admittance process is competitive and completing the application does not guarantee admittance to S.O.A.R. Your application will not be considered if it is missing required information or your Personal Essay.