Touring company partners with state on new internship program

NaviTour, an online tour and experience booking service, has brought aboard an intern through a partnership with the Maine Department of Labor's Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Shay Bellas

Tyler Shaffer

Tyler Shaffer, a recent graduate of Saint Joseph's College, is one of the first interns NaviTour has taken on.

"Maine Department of Labor's Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired is very excited about this internship as it highlights our dual customer approach as both the client and the business are directly benefiting from the partnership," said rehabilitation consultant Sharisse Roberts.

Shaffer is working 10 hours a week through the Maine Department of Labor to complete a six-week internship. Robert said he was chosen in part because he has a bachelor's degree in marketing.

Shaffer's interests also speak to his potential skill as a guide.

"During my free time, I love to read, go to the gym, and do any outdoor activities that are possible with my guide dog, Edric," he said. "I am proudly born and raised in southern Maine and am so excited to be working alongside a company that gives local guides a platform to grow and share the experiences that our amazing state has to offer."

NaviTour is training its guides to offer "blind and visually impaired friendly experiences" and that's where the DOL division comes in. NaviTour interns will be taught to effectively guide, support and describe experiences for anyone whose vision is compromised.

The organization also offers guidance and technical assistance for those who hire staff who cope with vision issues. NaviTour, in turn, employs viable candidates as guides and interns.

"We have built an online tour and experience platform that is unique in the tourism industry," said Shay Bellas, CEO of NaviTour. "This is because we directly focus on rural communities and individual guides. We are a platform built for guides so they can focus on connecting to visitors and making a difference in how they experience the destination. With diversity and inclusion at our core, we empower all creating experiences to build their own brand, own their content, and expand their businesses."

"We hope to continue to partner with NaviTour in the future and other interested businesses that are looking for interns and work experiences," Roberts said.

Through the vocational rehab program run by the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired, clients can access internships and job training, shadowing and placement opportunities. Businesses can reach out for staff training; guidance on accommodations and technology; job modifications; job coaching, and guidance on the Americans with Disabilities Act.