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Business Enterprise Program

In 1936, the Randolph-Sheppard Act established the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program, more commonly known as the Business Enterprise Program (BEP). The BEP provides persons who are legally blind with an opportunity for employment and self-support through the operation of vending facilities on federal and other properties.

We offer many BEP-related resources and training opportunities. Please browse this site and contact the NRTC on Blindness and Low Vision with any questions that you may have regarding the content at nrtc@colled.msstate.edu or 662-325-2001.


Business Enterprise Program Resources and Publications

External BEP Resources

BEP Publications

Last Updated 05/26/2013


Business Enterprise Program Brochure

Available in two formats:

Business Enterprise Program Brochure

Business Enterprise Program Brochure

Last Updated 05/26/2013


Business Enterprise Service video


Practices for Recruiting Transition-Age Youth into the Randolph-Sheppard Business Enterprise Program

The purpose of this resource guide is to assist Randolph-Sheppard Business Enterprise Program (BEP) staff in recruiting transition-age youth with legal blindness into the program. The guide discusses recruitment strategies for transition-age youth currently used by BEPs across the country. It also provides suggestions for developing recruitment practices for transition-age youth and the benefits that may be derived from implementing such activities.

Available in two formats:

BEP Transition Guide

BEP Transition Guide

Last Updated 07/07/2015


Working with Blind Entrepreneurs who have Hearing Loss in the Randolph-Sheppard Business Enterprise Program Resource Guide

This resource guide was developed to assist Randolph-Sheppard Business Enterprise Program (BEP) staff working with blind entrepreneurs with hearing loss. It gives suggestions and strategies for accommodating these entrepreneurs in training activities, on-the-job, and at meetings. It also contains advice from blind entrepreneurs with hearing loss and from BEP staff experienced in working with this demographic. The guide can serve as one resource BEP staff can use when working with a blind entrepreneur with hearing loss for the first time. An additional purpose of this guide is to promote the fact that individuals with combined hearing and vision loss are and can be highly successful entrepreneurs in the Randolph-Sheppard Program.

Available in two formats:

Hearing Loss Resource Guide

Hearing Loss Resource Guide

Reference:
Bybee, J. & LeJeune, B.J. (2014). Working with blind entrepreneurs who have hearing loss in the Randolph-Sheppard Business Enterprise Program. National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision at Mississippi State University. Retrieved from: https://www.blind.msstate.edu/our-products/business-enterprise-program.

Acknowledgment:
Special thanks to Beth Jordan, Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) Regional Representative, for her expert advice and guidance throughout the development of this resource guide.

Last Updated 06/12/2014