- Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
August 14, 2026 | Boston, MA — The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) proudly celebrated the achievements of its 2026 Summer Internship Program participants during a special Closing Ceremony held on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at the Massachusetts State House. The event brought together interns, employer partners, MCB leadership, family members, and community supporters to reflect on a summer of growth, opportunity, and collaboration.
Far More Than a Summer Job
This year marked the 24th anniversary of the MCB Summer Internship Program, which has connected hundreds of blind and visually impaired individuals with career-building experiences across Massachusetts.
MCB Commissioner John Oliveira reflected on the program’s impact in his remarks, emphasizing its role in opening doors and shaping futures:
“This program represents far more than a summer job. It is an opportunity to grow professionally, build confidence, and demonstrate your talents in real workplaces throughout the Commonwealth. Over the past several weeks, you’ve met new challenges, learned new skills, and shown employers what you are capable of achieving.”
Speakers
Throughout the ceremony, attendees heard from current interns, past participants, and employer partners who shared how the program has shaped their professional and personal journeys:
- Shayne Cantan, Keynote Speaker, Contract Specialist with the Federal Government
- Sofia Zay, a rising junior at The Hartt School in Connecticut interning at the Natick Academy of Performing Arts
- Garrett Burgess, (past intern) Investment Advisor Representative with Cote Financial Management
- Ralph Eddy, District Manager with Sodexo
Celebrating Employer Partners
MCB also recognized the employer partners who make the internship program possible by providing meaningful work opportunities and mentorship.
This year’s Employer Partnership Award was presented to TransDev and accepted by Marie O'Connell, Training Manager, in recognition of their steadfast collaboration and deep commitment to accessibility in the workplace.
Honoring the 2026 Interns and Looking Ahead
A highlight of the ceremony was the recognition of this year’s interns and the organizations that hosted them across diverse sectors, including healthcare, education, technology, finance, government, and nonprofit work.
As the celebration concluded and attendees gathered for lunch, interns, partners, and supporters looked back on a summer defined by growth, collaboration, and resilience. This year’s program showcased the remarkable achievements of MCB’s interns while emphasizing the vital role of strong partnerships and continued opportunities in building a workforce that is both inclusive and accessible.
2026 Employer Partners
MCB extends its deepest gratitude to the employer partners who made this year’s internship program possible by providing mentorship, guidance, and real-world experience:
Adaptive Sports New England
Amelia Park Children's Museum
Artisans Asylum
Audio Journal
Barry L. Price Rehabilitation Center
Boston Center for Independent Living RTAG
Carroll Center for the Blind
Central Mass. Employment Collaborative
City of Cambridge
Darly Lee Jenkins Resource Center
Disability Policy Consortium
Disabled Stories Collective (DISCO)
Draper
Easterseals Massachusetts
Easterseals, Worcester
Federation for Children with Special Needs
FriendshipWorks
Global Partners
Groundwork Lawrence
Grow Associates
HaloFi LLC
Hispanic American Institute
Institute for Human Centered Design
Ipswich Family YMCA
MCB Policy Department
MCB Vending
MCB Vocational Rehabilitation
Natick Academy of Performing Arts
Nativity School of Worcester
Neighbors in Need
Northeast Independent Living Program
Office of Congresswoman Katherine Clark
Perkins Library
Quincy Printing
Ronald McDonald House
Sodexo
South Shore Collaborative for Employment
South Shore Education Collaborative
St. Anne's Hospital
Tantasqua Regional High School
Town of Randolph
Valley Eye Radio
Webster House
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
Photo Caption: Commissioner John Oliveira delivers remarks to interns, employer partners, MCB leadership, family members, and community supporters.
