Eschenbach Sponsors Two Visually Impaired Students to Attend Space Camp

Tuesday, January 20 2026 | 15 h 43 min | News

For the fourth consecutive year, Eschenbach Optik of America, Inc. has reaffirmed its commitment to accessibility, education, and inclusion by sponsoring two students with vision loss to attend the Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students (SCIVIS).

Celebrating its 35th anniversary, SCIVIS took place from September 28 to October 2, 2025, at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The program welcomed 142 visually impaired students from across the United States for an immersive, hands-on educational experience inspired by NASA’s astronaut training programs.

A Fully Accessible Astronaut Training Experience

Throughout the week, students participated in adapted astronaut training activities designed to be fully accessible for individuals with vision impairment. These included spaceflight simulations such as a one-sixth gravity chair and multi-axis trainer, rocket assembly and launch exercises, simulated space missions, and an underwater scuba build. Participants also explored aerospace technology and learned about future career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and space exploration.

Daily challenges, ranging from search-and-rescue exercises to high ropes courses, encouraged teamwork, confidence, and problem-solving, reinforcing the camp’s mission to show students that vision loss does not limit ambition or achievement.

2025 Scholarship Recipients

The two students selected for Eschenbach’s 2025 sponsorship were Jackson H., from Olympia, Washington, who attended the Space Academy program, and Jayden V., from the Bronx, New York, who completed the Advanced Space Academy program. Both students successfully completed their simulated space missions.

In addition to full coverage of tuition and airfare, each scholarship recipient received a care package that included an Eschenbach Smartlux® Digital portable video magnifier, supporting everyday reading and writing tasks through enhanced digital magnification.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Reflecting on his experience, Jayden V. shared:

“Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, to experience one of yet the best moments of my life. If I was in doubt or discouraged to ever have a career at NASA because of my disability; all that has pushed away. NASA better be ready for the first albino in space!”

Through initiatives like SCIVIS, Eschenbach continues to demonstrate how optical innovation and corporate social responsibility can intersect to empower young people with vision loss to pursue bold goals, on Earth and beyond.

Learn more about Eschenbach’s giving-back initiatives and the Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students program on the company’s website.

Click HERE for the press release.

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