What is WAGES?

WAGES is a six week summer program in Lincoln, Nebraska, for blind and visually impaired youth to provide full-time work experience with businesses in their community, while staying on University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. In addition to job training, participants learn essential blindness skills, gain experience, and take part in recreational and enrichment activities.

Explore Our Program

University Suites

Image of the dorms on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus that house the participants in the wages program.

Move in day WAGES

WAGES participant unpacking in her dorm room.

University Suites

Image of the dorms on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus that house the participants in the wages program.

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Youth reside in dorms at the
University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Bus Crossing

Youth and Job coach traveling to bus

Tour around campus

WAGES group traveling across UNL campus

Bus Crossing

Youth and Job coach traveling to bus

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Youth learn how to navigate
public transportation

Grabbing some lunch

A youth and cafeteria staff navigating Cather Hall's dining area.

Students eating lunch together

WAGES kids having lunch together.

Grabbing some lunch

A youth and cafeteria staff navigating Cather Hall's dining area.

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Cafeteria Dining

Work at ManaGames

WAGES student organizing games

Work at ManaGames

Student working as a chashier

Work at ManaGames

WAGES student organizing games

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Youth at their jobsites

Board Breaking

Students participate in a boardbreaking group activity

BoardBreaking

Students participate in a boardbreaking group activity

Boardbreaking

Students participate in a boardbreaking group activity

Board Breaking

Students participate in a boardbreaking group activity

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Breaking boards and barriers

Students having downtime

Student taking an elevator to the rec room

Reading

Reading during downtime

Meeting and socializing

Student meets volunteers and grab lunch

Students having downtime

Student taking an elevator to the rec room

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Down time

Vocational Rehabilitation

The Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (NCBVI) provides free Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services to help blind and low vision Nebraskans find, keep and advance in employment. Each person is paired with a counselor who assists with career planning, education or training, job searches, and securing needed tools or accommodations. Services may include financial aid for college or trade school, assistive technology, and job retention support. NCBVI also offers Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) for youth ages 14–21, including job exploration, work experiences, college prep, and self-advocacy training. Key programs include WAGES, a summer work and independence program; Winnerfest, a life skills retreat; and a mentoring partnership with the National Federation of the Blind. All services are funded by state and federal sources at no cost to participants.

Searching for Partners and Community

The WAGES program partners with Lincoln businesses and community members to provide blind and visually impaired youth with meaningful summer work experiences. You can help by hosting a student in your business, offering recreational opportunities, volunteering, or donating through the Nebraska Commission for the Blind. Together, we can build confidence, independence, and brighter futures.

Changing Lives

Trey, a youth participant in WAGES shares his experiences with the program, things he has learned, and what he likes best about the program.

Cathy, a parent of a visually impaired adult who has participated in WAGES shares her insight to how the program helped her daughter and skills that have been impactful to her

daughter's life.

Brandon, a volunteer at WAGES talks about his experiences with WAGES as a youth participant and as a volunteer staff member for the program.