Trevor Thomas to Present at CSDB

"My Hope is that I can provide inspiration for others to step outside their comfort zones to achieve greater heights in their lives." -Trevor Thomas

Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind, in sponsorship with National Federation of the Blind of Colroado, welcomes Trevor Thomas on Tuesday, January 28, 2020. 

His presentation will be in the CSDB Gottlieb Auditorium from 2:30-3:30 and again from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Please check in upon arrival at the Administration Front Desk with your official photo ID.

Your Blind Coloradoan is Back! For 2020

Writer, aggregator Kevan Worley.Contributing editor Dan Burke.

Here is what you need to know

6 Must-Keep Resolutions

Happy New Year! At the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado 2019 Convention, 6 resolutions were adopted. These statements of policy will inform and guide our work in the months and years ahead. Find brief summaries of 3 of these important resolutions at the end of this Blind Coloradoan.

Colorado Seniors in Charge and On the Move

From the Front Range to the Western Slope, from the Poudre Valley to Trinidad, and on over to the Kansas line we are Colorado. We are NFBCO and we are the Colorado Center for the Blind. We believe life doesn’t end when blindness and low vision begin. Life changes. And, as is often said, “that’s life.” Of course, it is often not that easy. We get it! That’s why the instructive, empowering, nurturing, and joyful Seniors Programs have become so wildly successful. Blind seniors embrace the loving, problem solving, can-do spirit of our programs. Learn more about dynamic Seniors Programs.

Spend a few moments with these motivating blind seniors; A video that is worth the watch.

NFBCO Mountains and Plains At Large Chapter is Looking for You

If there is no local chapter in your community or if the time and day of your local chapter doesn’t fit your schedule, Mountains and Plains is calling your name.

The Mountains & Plains at large chapter meets on the third Thursday of each month.  

The call-in information is as follows: 605-313-5145,,405276. This is written for one touch mobile.

ReNae Anderson, Pres.  970-393-0170 and anyone may call for any questions.

We are hoping to have an in-person event, probably in Denver, in the summer.  More information to come.

B-I-N-G-O!

BINGO NIGHT MEET UP.

Join the Wild West For fun and fundraising.

WHERE:

Brew Ability Labs

3445 S Broadway St.

Englewood, CO 80113

When:

January 25, 2020 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Cost:

Braille and large print Bingo cards will be $3.00.

Pizza will be available for $3.50 per large slice

Bingo prizes will be fun and memorable. Prize donations are definitely accepted.

Ileen Gallegos

303-895-0087

ileenshere@gmail.com

A Mountain, a Waterfall, a Cracked Pool, and a Christmas Tree Color Wheel

From the aggregator: I highly recommend the January Braille Monitor. During the recent NFBCO Leadership Retreat we spent some time talking of our effort to preserve our history. During the discussion we had fun regaling our colleagues with stories and lessons from our history featuring the protagonist, our beloved Ray McGeorge. And what do I see when I open the January Braille Monitor? An article featuring Ray. I highly recommend this view, blind or sighted. Ray was truly a mensch. His legacy continues to make a difference.

Attention Blind Students. Get Ready, Get Set, GO! It’s Time for the 2020 Braille Challenge

From the aggregator: We received the following note from Diane Taylor, Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind, School/Community Liaison.

CSDB will host a regional Braille Challenge event, January 16th, in Colorado Springs, and another, in partnership with the Colorado Center for the Blind, January 23rd, in the Denver Metro area.  The Challenge is part of the National Braille Challenge sponsored by the Braille Institute.

The competition includes sections testing Speed/Accuracy, Reading Comprehension, Spelling, Proofreading, and Charts and Graphs.  Pre-braille learners and students with low vision who are not braille readers will participate in daily living skill, music, literacy, and orientation and mobility activities, with a tactile focus, to celebrate braille.

Annually, more than sixty students participate in the competition and related activities. Thank you to all of the volunteers and staff members who help make each Braille Challenge positive for everyone.

Attention Sports Fans: Mark Your Calendars for February 28^th

Goalball Extravaganza at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind.

Colorado Association of Guide Dog Users All-Call!

The Board of Directors of the Colorado Association of Guide Dog users, COAGDU, will meet by Zoom this coming Sunday afternoon, January 19 at 4 p.m. All guide dog handlers and those interested in the work of our Colorado Federation Guide Dog group are welcome. Contact Ileen Gallegos after Wednesday for Zoom information, ileenshere@gmail.com.

Fort Collins Meet Up. A Red Robin Night

Where:

               Red Robin

               701 E. Harmony RD.

               Fort Collins, CO 80525

              

When:

               Tuesday, January 28, 2020

               From 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Bring your appetite, ideas, guests, and something to jot down some notes if you like.

Our goal is to network, make friends, and discuss helpful ideas involving blind people.

It will be a fantastic, fun feeling, as we fill ourselves with food.

Can’t wait to meet up.

Next step. The organizing of a new NFBCO chapter in the Poudre Valley.

Live the Life You Want, by Anahit LaBarre

From the aggregator: On the last blog of last year, we urged our readers to give some thought to the tagline of the National Federation of the Blind, “Live the Life You Want.” I received a number of comments which we will post in the weeks to come. And for those of you who subscribe to our Colorado Talk list serv, and everyone should, you likely have seen some very interesting takes on our tagline. We would like to share with you a post from Anahit LaBarre. Anahit is a long-time leader in our movement. Besides managing our state president and 2 very active, extraordinary teenagers, Anahit is a full-time instructor in our Seniors Programs (see above). Here is what Anahit shares:

Greetings everyone.

I would like to take a moment and wish all of you a very Happy and a healthy New Year! It has been very informative to read all of the thoughts and ideas shared on this thread. My story and my take is quite different from many of you. I came from a country where there are no opportunities for people with any kind of disability or limitation, or differences, for that matter. So, while we have a long journey ahead of us to reach full equality in our society here, we have so much available to us. So, what does Living the life I want mean to me? It is complex but yet very simple. It means I have the knowledge, the tools and the ability to make a choice. Every day I tell myself, as well as my students, that we are all human. And the complexity and beauty of it is that we WILL make mistakes, we will choose wrong at times. But We have the right and the opportunity to make those choices. No one organization, workplace, social group or school environment can possibly be right for everyone. There are things you might disagree with in the way things are done. However, I choose to focus on the strengths and the aspects that will support my beliefs and ideas. If I find that at its core an organization or a work space aligns with my values, if I find that I can gain from it, as well as add to it, if I find that with a productive dialogue we can make things better, I choose to belong. Does this mean that I agree with everything that is ever said or done? Not necessarily. But we come again to the power of choice and the fact that I chose to belong here, I chose to make this my home. So, this means I will share, in a productive way, what my thoughts are, I will contribute what I can at the time needed. This is what is so crucially important to me. As a person who grew up in a place where choices were made for me, I value the freedom to make my own decisions, to discuss openly, to be productive and to turn criticism into an opportunity for improvement, while appreciating all that is positive and available to me. Hope this helps. And yes, we all make mistakes, yes, we all make the wrong choice at times. But we sure try. Having. Supportive and constructive environment helps create opportunities for a better future, for collaboration and for a workplace or an organization where care and vision for a greater good prevails. My commitment is to have compassion, to listen and to problem solve together. But making a choice on a daily basis is up to me. There are hard days, where just getting out and facing the world seems almost impossible. It is on those days that we need to work hard to focus on the positive and what we have. It will help us get through the day. We need to focus on what makes us strong, unique and what we have to share with this world. And when the brighter tomorrow comes, we can extend a hand to a friend in need. Before we ask of others to see our worth, we find it ourselves. It looks different to everyone. I value honesty, kindness and loyalty. So, I focus on that for myself. Or at least I try. None of those core values are achievement-based but they are important to me. Find what makes you strong! We all have a gift to share. Thank you to all of those who have contributed. Please do stay active, bring productive ideas and thoughts, stay involved on a local level and make a difference for yourself and for others. Once we chose a home, let’s make it stronger!

Warmly on this not very warm night :)

Anahit

Are You Ready for the DAC? Are You? Are You?

To all of the blind and visually impaired of Colorado, you are warmly encouraged to join NFBCO for our annual Day at Capital. Join us at 12:15 Wednesday February 5^th in the old Supreme Court Chambers. Speakers from our General Assembly, an opportunity to join fellow citizens for legislative office visits, and the camaraderie of joint action. This is what advocacy is all about. We will educate General Assembly members about initiatives of importance to people who are blind. Issues such as fair wages, NFB Newsline, and the importance of our Colorado Center for the Blind. For information contact our Legislative Chairman Dan Burke, 303-778-1130, dburke@cocenter.org.

Colorado Center for the Blind, 2020 Summer Program Staff Announcement

High expectations, fun environment, and empowering experiences.

Gain invaluable job skills, make a difference and be part of a great staff!

The Colorado Center for the Blind is now accepting applications from positive blind adult role models to be residential counselors/classroom instructors in our 2020 summer programs.  Our programming consists of the following summer programs:

1) “No Limits to Learning” Transition Youth Program.

2) “World of Work” Pre-Employment Program.

3) “Challenge and Adventure” Self-Advocacy Program.

4) “Cracking the College Code” College Prep Program.

Staff must be available May 26 through August 7, 2020. If interested, please contact Martin Becerra-Miranda at (303)778-1130 extension 223 or via email at mbecerra@cocenter.org. 

It’s a New Year. It’s Resolutions Time

Our organization passed our resolutions on Sunday, November 3^rd, 2019. Here are summaries of 3 of them:

• National Federation of the Blind of Colorado Resolution 2019-01 Commends the City and County of Denver for Facilitating Nonvisual Access to the Ballot and Ballot Tracing Tools.
• Resolution 2019-02 Calls upon the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Blindness and Low Vision Services Unit to Update Their Policies and Procedures to Include Funding for Summer Sessions for Blind College Students.
• Resolution 2019-03 Is Regarding the Planned Redesign of the 16th Street Mall in Denver and Opposing the Removal of Tactually Discernible Boundaries along Streets at the Edge of the Mall.  

That’s It for This Edition of the Blind Coloradoan

Forward, always Forward!

Try Blind Hockey!

Please Enjoy This Special Year-End Blind CO Blog

Writer, aggregator Kevan Worley.Contributing editor Dan Burke.Here is what you need to know

Breaking News! Under the Saying-There is Always Something…-

Debbie MacLeod, Colorado Talking Book Library Director Updated Folks That the CTBL Has Been Closed for a Portion of the Week of December 16.

On Monday, as far as we can piece together, a vehicle sideswiped the guardrail along the north side of the building around 1 pm and then took off. This pushed the gas meter into the building and started leaking gas. Xcel came quickly to shut off the gas. Staff and Volunteers evacuated the building and were sent home. Xcel took off the gas meter and capped the lines. Around 7 pm they were still working on the outside and could smell gas, so the fire department was called to the building. They couldn’t figure why there was so much gas in the building. By 9 pm they said it was safe and all went home.

Since the hit broke a 4” pipe inside the building, those repairs had to be done and were completed December 17. There was still residual gas smell on December 17 which dissipated during the day. Inspection will be done on December 18 and the gas meter will be installed and the HVAC turned back on December 18.

The library has been closed since Monday, December 16 at 1:30 and was still closed on Wednesday the 18th. We hope to reopen December 19 to a warm building.

There is always something and this is the 3rd time since 2003 that a car has run into this building – there must be some kind of building Karma???

Yeehaw and Happy Holidays from the Wild West Chapter.

Chapter President Paul Sandoval:

Yeehaw! It’s almost Christmas again in these parts. And we are so happy for all the time we have spent with you. Our fundraisers, meet and greets, and picnic would be pretty lame without some friends to liven it up! We have more coming after this Holliday season but more to come about that later! Merry Christmas and Happy new year from all of us in the Wild West!

You Want This! You Know You Do.

Joanne Franklin, Chair of the holiday basket raffle, says there are still a few tickets for the super special holiday gift basket for sale. Tickets are only $5, or you can really support the chapter and take advantage of that special discount, $20 for 4 tickets. What a deal! Both Joanne and Kevan Worley can sell you tickets. Email or call us with your ticket order. We will be happy to collect from you later. We know where most of you live. Drawing is Saturday afternoon at the big Springs holiday party.

Colorado Springs Chapter Celebrates the Holidays.

Wherever you are in the affiliate, you are cordially invited to the Colorado Springs Christmas party. It’s Saturday afternoon, December 21, noon to 3 at the Old Chicago on Austin Bluff and Academy. The White Elephant gift exchange is always a hoot.

Happy Holidays from the LaBarre Family. By Scott C. LaBarre, President, National Federation of the Blind of Colorado.

From your aggregator: At the 2019 NFBCO State Convention, the affiliate re-elected Scott LaBarre to his 6^th term. We benefit so much from Scott’s constancy, commitment, candor, and kindness. NFBCO is incredibly fortunate to have Scott and Anahit, a leader in her own right. As our friends and colleagues who celebrate Hanukah would say, “Scott LaBarre is a real mensch.” Scott is a man of integrity and insight. Here is what he reports about family at the holidays.

The Holidays got off to an early start around the LaBarre household when my younger brother, Craig, flew down here from Duluth on November 20th.  He wanted to spend extra time with his niece and nephew.  Craig often laments that the kids grow up too fast and that he doesn’t get enough time to spend with them.

About them growing up too fast, their father shares the same sentiment.  Alex is a Junior at Cherry Creek Highschool, has been looking at colleges, and has been driving for over two years.  His sister, Emily, has joined Alex at Creek this year as a Freshman and will be getting her driver’s permit over the holiday break.  For me, it seems like just a moment ago when I celebrated Alex’s birth with many of you at the NFBCO 2002 State Convention, his birth coming on the Friday of that Convention.  Can someone please slow down this run-away time train?

After Craig’s arrival, my parents, Donna and Chuck, literally rolled into town on the 24th after a 900-mile drive from Woodbury, Minnesota. They were joined on the 27th by my sister in-law, Deb, and two high school, foreign exchange students, Janca from Hungry and Uma from Spain.

At that point, the LaBarre contingent was fully assembled and ready for Thanksgiving.  We sure dug in on Turkey Day and stuffed ourselves with a ginormous and scrumptious feast.  Everyone in the family was in charge of making something.  My job was making the drinks, something at which I excel.  The rest of the weekend featured Black Friday shopping (something I avoided like the Plague), the Lighting of the Lights Downtown Denver, lots of board games and cards, more and more eating, and a celebration of Emily’s 15th Birthday.  By December 3rd, all the Minnesota LaBarre’s were back in the Land of Ten-thousand Frozen Lakes.

On the 4th of December, I did something unusual for me and boarded a plane to Baltimore where I attended the NFB Board Meetings and the official Grand Opening of our new guest spaces and sleeping rooms.  At the celebration event, our very own Diane McGeorge delivered stirring and inspirational remarks about the tremendous growth of the NFB.  In our newly remodeled space, there is the McGeorge Living Room which features a beautiful, water fountain in tribute to all the tremendous contributions of the McGeorge’s over the years.  Our new NFB fountain is inspired by the one Ray built and maintained for many years and which many of us enjoyed from the McGeorge deck as the fountain burbled peacefully in the background.  Overall, our new facilities are truly stunning and are emblematic of the progress and growth of our movement.  The rest of the weekend went incredibly well as the NFB and Jacobus tenBroek Memorial Fund Boards met and reviewed   the dynamic activities and achievements of our Federation which help us to secure the right to live the lives we want.

As I scribe this reflection about the Holidays, I am filled with tremendous gratitude and pride for all of my family, the LaBarre’s and the Federation.  Without the support of all the LaBarre’s, especially Anahit and the kiddos, I would not have the strong foundation and framework from which to pursue my career and Federation work and otherwise lead a blessed an enriched life.  Without the Federation, there is no way that I, as a blind person, could have developed the confidence and gathered the resources that allow me to live the life I want and transform my dreams into reality.

As for pride, words cannot express how enormously proud I am of Alex and Emily as they develop into amazing and strong young people just starting to chase their dreams.  I am also incredibly proud of Anahit and the life changing work she does with blind seniors at our Colorado Center and the fact that while working at the Center full-time, she is pursuing her Masters in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado on her way to becoming a teacher of blind children.  Oh, I can’t forget little Moka, our ten-month-old labradoodle.  She is learning very well the things she should do and, especially, the things she shouldn’t.

As for the Federation, my heart overflows with pride as I observe and reflect upon all that we have achieved nationally and here in Colorado.  Although we still have significant work ahead with lots of challenges left to solve, our dream of living the lives we want without artificial limitations placed upon us is ever closer to becoming our reality.  I am incredibly proud to be part of this amazing affiliate, and it is my deep honor and privilege to serve as your President.

So, from Scott, Anahit, Alexander, Emily and Moka, we wish for you the very best of this joyous season as all of us observe our own holiday traditions and celebrations.  We know that some in our family   are facing daunting challenges to their health or otherwise, and it is our fervent wish that the light and peace of this time help to heal and bring comfort.  May 2020 bring us even better times and continued prosperity for the Federation and for all of us individually!!  Happy Holidays from the LaBarre’s!!

Try Hockey for Free Day!

Many blind and visually impaired people have been trying and competing in blind hockey in recent years. It seems that the blind hockey craze has hit Colorado. Colorado Avalanche are sponsoring an event for folks who want to get out on the ice. We are told some coaches and players may be taking center ice with those who attend the event.

At this writing, our Colorado Avalanche have 45 points and are in 2^nd place in the Central Division.

The event takes place Thursday, January 9 from 3-6 p.m. at the Pepsi Center. Register here!

At the National Federation of the Blind 2019 convention in Las Vegas, a resolution was passed, becoming official organization policy, that calls upon entities such as United States Association of Blind Athletes, headquartered in Colorado Springs, and other related entities to form a study committee. This committee will investigate ways in which modifications to the sport for legally blind people will not incorporate a, “hierarchy of sight” in the matches. For further information check out the resolution and then go try hockey with the Avalanche!

Mountains and Plains Monthly Chapter Call.

ReNae Anderson, NFBCO At Large Chapter President, reminds us that the December call will be held Thursday, December 19, 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Call 605-313-5145, code 405276#.

Is There a Trip to Our Nation’s Capital in Your Future?

The much-anticipated National Federation of the Blind Washington Seminar is waiting for you!

Veterans of our Washington Seminar will often say that it is their favorite NFB event of the year. Many rank it up there with our National Convention. There is great energy, spirit, and love when folks do advocacy together. There are seminars for parents and students and merchants and others on February 9 and 10. Monday evening, February 10^th, is our traditional and often very powerful, “Great Gathering In.” You never know who is going to show up to address the more than 700 people in attendance when the gavel falls at 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday we head to Capitol Hill to inform United States Congress about the issues and policy objectives of this nation’s organized blind movement.

First-timers who are thinking of attending may be eligible for some subsidy to afford travel, transit, etc. If you plan to attend, rookie or veteran, you must make your hotel reservations by January 8^th by calling 1-877-572-6951 and reference booking code N2F. Room rate is $198 plus tax per night.

For information about NFBCO Goes to Washington feel free to contact Lisa Bonderson at lbonderson@cocenter.org.

Take a look at our 2019 National Legislative Priorities.

Colorado Center for the Blind students Cristian, Shyanne, Kelly, and Dan Burke, Colorado Center for the Blind Director of Community Relations.

We Asked. You Answered.

From the aggregator: in our last Blind CO Blog we asked, “what does live the life you want mean to you?” Feel free to post your response on this blog or send directly to me. We have collected some great responses and will be posting in weeks to come.

Jessica Beecham is our recently elected First Vice President. She also serves as President of our National Sports and Rec Division. As we look forward to 2020. I asked her to write her thoughts about living the life you want. As you will read, she is one of the most energetic and big-hearted people we have in our Federation family.

Hello Federation Family! As we close out the decade, I am so incredibly grateful for all of the opportunities I have had to live the life I want. I travel throughout the country with my guide dog. I have a career that is based on the Randolph Shepherd Act which gives blind people priority to run our own businesses.  My accessible iPhone allows me to make calls, send email, shop, and so much more. Most of these and many other day-to-day activities which allow me to live the life I want would not be possible without the efforts and advocacy of the National Federation of the Blind.

As I reflect on the vast array of opportunities I have in my life because of the collective action of blind people who came before me, I am inspired to do more to make it possible for blind people of the future to have even more opportunity. In the coming year, I am dedicated to filling out more Uber and Lyft reports so that we can improve the ride share system for service dog users. I will work harder to keep reaching out to blind people in Colorado so that they can find the same family and support network that I am so lucky to have. I will actively participate in legislative advocacy to educate our representatives about legislation that will improve the lives of blind people.

As we move into the new year, I encourage you to think of two things. What can you do to truly live the life you want? Maybe you want to try a new hobby, travel, make some new friends, or have an exciting adventure.

YOU CAN LIVE THE LIFE YOU WANT! BLINDNESS IS NOT WHAT HOLDS YOU BACK. Secondly, consider ways you can pay it forward. Remember all of the amazing advocacy that has allowed us to live the lives we want. I challenge you to think of ways you can either commit or recommit to the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado to help us make it possible for blind people to continue living the lives that they want for generations to come. The work we do today really does make a huge impact. Happy New Year and let’s go live the lives we want in 2020.

From the Aggregator:

Here is an important holiday question. Crushed or Cubed?

The Question:

We end the year together united in spirit, commitment, and love. We end the year together sharing thoughts on our quest. And wishes for all to Live the Life We Want. What are your hopes and dreams for 2020? Share them with us. Together with love, hope, and determination we transform dreams into reality. We remember those we lost in 2019. We care for those in our Federation family who endure struggles. And we anticipate and dream of the future we and all of our partners and allies will build.

Happy Hanukah,

Happy New Year,

Happy Kwanza,

Merry Christmas! 

Forward, Always Forward!

Special Issue Dedicated to Diane and Ray McGeorge

Writer, aggregator Kevan Worley.Contributing editor Dan Burke.

Here is what you need to know

A Fountain of Challenge and Success: Founders Honored in Baltimore McGeorge Living Room! By Dan Burke. 

On a recent visit to the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, Center Director Julie Deden and I were able to preview the new McGeorge Living Room at the NFB’s headquarters. It is a comfortable, couch-bestrewn space with a fireplace in the center of the room. From one corner comes the soothing sound of trickling water. It’s the lovely fountain shown in the photo, a Rocky Mountain accent in the heart of Baltimore. The new living room will be dedicated today (NOTE: dedicated on December 5) to Diane and Ray McGeorge for their decades of tireless commitment to creating positive change in the training, opportunities, and fundamental rights of blind Americans, and certainly blind Coloradans. Diane, as president of the NFB of Colorado for nearly 30 years, founded the Colorado Center for the Blind in 1988, with the unwavering support of her late husband Ray beside her. Though not a precise replica, this sculptor’s rendition pays honor to one that Ray built in the McGeorge back yard on Steele Street in Denver. For several generations of visiting leaders of the National Federation of the Blind, and especially blind Coloradans and Center students, Ray’s fountain evokes warm evenings on the deck as guests of Diane and Ray, basking in the warmth of their hospitality, their love, and mentorship. Of course, Julie was one of those people, as was National Federation of the Blind President Mark Riccobono, a graduate of the Colorado Center for the Blind. …

Note, present from Colorado for the unveiling was NFBCO President Scott LaBarre, CCB Seniors Program Director Duncan Larson, and the honoree herself, Mrs. Diane McGeorge.

Did you know the National Federation of the Blind Has an Official Music Video?

We do. The video, unveiled in 2015, makes for a joyful noise perfect for any holiday gathering. “Live the life you want.” We hope you will find the joy in your family and friends throughout the holidays.

Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind Rockin’ In the Holidays.

The 2019 Winter Program at CSDB is Tuesday, December 17, at 6:30 p.m. Join students, faculty, parents, grades 6-12 for a rockin’ good start to the holidays in the Gottlieb Auditorium.

National Federation of the Blind Applauds Introduction of AIM High Act. Legislation Will Promote Equal Access to Higher Education for People with Disabilities.

The National Federation of the Blind commends Congressman Phil Roe (R-TN) and Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT) for introducing the Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education Act, also known as the AIM HIGH Act (H.R. 5312). This legislation will promote instructional technology and content that are accessible to the blind and other students with print disabilities.

“This legislation is critically important to all blind students and to me personally, as the father of three children, two of whom are blind,” said Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. “This issue has been ignored for too long. Blind Americans applaud Representatives Roe and Courtney for their support of this market-based approach to encouraging technology innovations to be born accessible, thus allowing all students an equal opportunity for educational excellence.”

On Friday evening, December 13^th, Colorado Association of Blind Students will meet to discuss ways to ensure that our Congressional Colorado delegation join the effort to bring equality of opportunity to higher education. Students can join the meeting at 7 p.m. by logging into zoom. For information on how to use this app for the call feel free to get in touch with Cindy Coffin, cindy.coffin80@gmail.com.

Grand Valley Chapter Reads the Way with Support from Barnes and Noble.

Many NFB chapters earn cash to fund local programs by wrapping gifts at Barns and Noble locations. This holiday season, due to the generous support of the Grand Junction Barnes and Noble, our local chapter held a bookfair. The chapter received a percentage of sales on the day of the bookfair, December 10. Chapter members wrapped gifts and visited with holiday book shoppers about the gift of literacy made possible through their donations to the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado. The chapter raised more than $600. Good going Grand Valley!

Colorado Association of Guide Dog Users, COAGDU, Chooses Leadership Team for 2020.

Divisions of NFBCO typically elect board members at State Convention. Pledging to build our Federation by meeting the needs and aspirations of guide dog handlers, the following board members were elected to serve for 2020:

President: Kevan Worley

Vice President: ReNae Anderson

Secretary: Marty Rahn

Treasurer: Marianne Migliorelli

Board members: Paul Sandoval, Maureen Nietfeld, Libby Mullner, Melissa Green.

Melissa Green served as President of the group for many years. She agreed to stay on the board.

COAGDU will launch a project in early January to educate and assist guide dog handlers with the reporting of their rideshare experiences to the National Federation of the Blind. Uber and Lyft Survey: The National Federation of the Blind is seeking feedback from Uber and Lyft customers who have service animals or who travel with individuals with service animals. Testers can be NFB members or non-members, and we welcome completed surveys on both positive and negative rideshare experiences.

If your division elected officers at the 2020 State Convention, please send election results to your aggregator so we can let the world know who is providing the leadership in your division.

Braille Readers are Leaders!

There is still time to register and read for cash prizes. How about a little reading over your Christmas vacay? Teachers, parents, you are encouraged to sign up your future leaders. My time to write about this item is brief. I do not want to riff much more on this. But you know what they say? “Reading is Fundamental.” Different program. But true. And no less true for folks who use Braille.

During our last contest year, we had 4 Colorado participants. The American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults invites Braille readers of all levels and all ages to take part. Sign up through the AAF website and enjoy a book or two this holiday season!

For information about Colorado Center for the Blind Youth Programs email Martin Becerra.

Extra! Extra! Read Your Holiday Ads On NFB-Newsline®!

Did you know that Target and Wal-Mart store circulars for your area are available on NFB-Newsline®?

Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Supports NFBCO Effort to Stabilize and Expand Blindness and Low Vision Services Unit.

On December 6, leaders of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado and other stakeholders met with the Director of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, DVR, Kristin Corash and her policy team. The meeting was to discuss changes in State rules that govern the Blindness and Low Vision Services, BLVS, unit. We applaud the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, for listening to consumers and taking appropriate action. The first 4 years of a dedicated unit within DVR that provides training, adjustment to blindness, and job placement services to Colorado residents who are legally blind has been as successful as we in the NFBCO said it would be. When we visit with members of the General Assembly, policy makers, and service providers we have always asserted that best outcomes are most cost-effectively provided by staff with training and expertise specific to the population being served. Imagine that. Statistics and subjective observations clearly show that enshrining the BLVS unit in rule is the logical next step. The new rule will give the department and stakeholders a framework to serve even more people across the state of Colorado. Even with the successes demonstrated by the 4-year-old unit there are still blind people in large parts of Colorado who do not receive vocational services from a professional of the BLVS unit. The contemplated rule will make expansion a possibility. It also means that this specialized unit is available as a resource for all counselors who have a general caseload but are providing services to blind clients outside of the BLVS units geographical service area.

Party, Party, Party.

It’s that time of year when chapters enjoy holiday parties. You are cordially invited to join our Greeley family at noon Saturday, December 14, at 3 Margaritas, located at the Greeley Mall.

Santa Clause joins the Denver Metro party Saturday morning, the 14^th, 10 a.m. at CCB.

Colorado Springs chapter will party, complete with their traditional white elephant gift exchange, Saturday, December 23, from noon to 3 p.m. at Old Chicago at Austin Bluffs and Academy. White elephant gift exchange items of $10 or less.

Come on, Barbie, let’s go party!

A Tisket. A Tasket. A Great Holiday Basket and It Could Be All Yours.

A $5 raffle ticket puts you in the December 21^st Springs Chapter drawing. We will pick one winning ticket and you do not have to be at the party to win. The basket is overflowing with coupons from Chick-Fil-A, elderberry syrup, truffles, candles, and a $50 gift certificate for Springs Orleans. Chapter raffle chair Joanne Franklin says this basket is at least a $150 value. Purchase your tickets now by calling Joanne 719-464-4864, or email. Your aggregator also has tickets. Reach me at 303-929-2369. We would be happy to fill out your ticket and collect your $20 for 4 tickets when we see you next. Good luck!

What Does “Live the Life You Want” Mean to You.

We want to hear your perspective. A distinguished panel of highly educated judges will not be judging your comments. This is about what you think. Please share your stories and opinions. We! Want! To hear from you!

Power Packed Monitor Has Information You Need to Know!

Get all of the details about February’s Washington Seminar. Learn everything you need to know about Social Security benefits for 2020. And, believe it or not, get all the information about our 2020 National Convention all in the December Monitor. People, policy, perspective. That is our Braille Monitor.

Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind Job Opening.

We have received the following announcement from Doula Jarboe, President Colorado Association of the DeafBlind.

Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind, CCDHHDB, Job Opening Applicants are sought for the Outreach Consultant — Deafblind Specialty position. This position will design strategy, systems, processes, guidelines, rules, and standards that are mission critical and directly impact the agency's ongoing operation and broad program. The role will be a staff authority related to deafblind beyond the immediate supervisor, with direct influence, and impact agency-wide, including consumers/clients.

To receive more information or to apply Contact us today 1-720-457-3679, www.ccdhh.com.

Forward! Always Forward!