March Blind Coloradan

Blind Coloradan Blog

April 5, 2024

Writer, aggregator: Kevan Worley

Contributors: Dan Burke & Erin Daley. With assistance from Lisa Bonderson.

National Federation of the Blind of Colorado, President, Jessica Beecham

jbbeecham@gmail.com

 

From the aggregator: Well, as they say, “It's been a minute”. The only excuse we have is, we are all volunteers in this great service and civil rights organization. A lot has happened since our last Blind Coloradan in December. So, let's get started.

 

National Federation of the Bind of Colorado gains early support for legislation in the General Assembly

From the aggregator:  Beginning with resolutions passed at our October 2023 state convention. Through the work of legislative chairs Dan Burke, Curtis Chong, and others, to the heavy lifting by our members at the day at the capital on Monday, February 12th, and beyond: to our members testifying at a number of hearings. Momentum is building toward the passage of two of our legislative priorities. Both of the two bills have passed their first committee hearings on bipartisan unanimous votes. State representative Mary Young held focus groups to consider the views of all stakeholders prior to the hearing in front of the House Health and Human Services Committee. This bill is, HB24-1115, legislation that would require pharmacies in Colorado to provide accessible prescription labels for blind and/or print-disabled users, thereby enabling them to accurately and independently identify the medications they use themselves or dispense to those in their immediate care.

A bill sponsored by Senator Jessie Danielson will bring about an increase of $130,000 from the General Fund to expand access to NFB-NEWSLINE® to more blind, deaf-blind, and print-disabled Coloradans while maintaining the $120,000 for NFB-NEWSLINE® From the Telephone Users with Disabilities Fund (TUDF). We had poignant testimony from NFBCO President Jessica Beecham and Legislative Co-Chair Curtis Chong in support of that measure. This bill would also increase funding for Aftersight, formerly Audio Information Network. This initiative also passed out of committee unanimously. It is now on to the appropriations committee.

We continue to educate members of the General Assembly and the Governor Polis Administration about our efforts to strengthen laws around guide dog denials. We are pushing for an interim study committee by the General Assembly on this issue.

As directed by the state convention. We continue our work to Initiate a thorough financial audit—with specific focus on the funds allocated to Colorado's Support Services Provider (SSP) program, to adequately meet the needs of current eligible recipients, to eliminate the waiting list for SSP services, and do outreach for other deaf-blind citizens who may qualify and benefit from SSP services.

Please follow all of these issues on our Colorado-Talk listserv. We will keep you up to date and we will need your support. There may be public hearings or times we will call on you to call or write members of the General Assembly or other government officials. Because of you, the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado continues to be an effective voice for the blind of the Centennial State. Over the years our efforts have gained great respect and support from members of the General Assembly. We are the authentic voice of the organized blind movement.

 

Rules are approved! Big news from the governor’s Office of Information Technology

By Alice Huyler, Senior Policy Advisor, OIT Rulemaking

From the aggregator: for many years NFBCO has worked to reform processes within state and local governments that block employees and consumers from accessing government apps and websites. It has been a concerted and real struggle! In 2021 a bill was passed to bring about meaningful reform. The bill expressly stated that governmental entities that did not comply with new accessibility requirements would be subject to penalties. It has been the task of the Office of Information Technology to formulate rules, conduct hearings, and finalize rules. We have recently received the following note from Theresa Montano, Senior Solutions Architect of Accessibility. Theresa is a member of our NFBCO Wild West Chapter. She works with persistence and expertise to bring about real change. We thank her for passing this along. Here it is.

OIT adopted the final Rules Establishing Technology Accessibility Standards on February 23, 2024 (Rules website or Rules Google doc). These rules describe and clarify what is considered discrimination under HB 21-1110 and CRS 24-34-802 by defining the standards and compliance parameters for technology accessibility for state and local government entities in Colorado.

Now that we have the rules, we can plan to apply them! OIT provides a plain language guide to the rules that contains explanations, examples, optional templates and help guides. Be on the lookout for more information as the TAP team continues to build up the resources to support compliance with the rules and this exciting new chapter in digital accessibility for Colorado.

Also, a rules team roadshow is in the works so watch your email inbox for more information and an announcement of upcoming dates.

Confidence through candy?

By Brett Boyer

From the aggregator: One of the effects of involvement in the National Federation of the Blind is often an increased level of confidence. It is fitting then, that confidence the key word in the candy sales fundraiser just announced by our NFBCO Denver Chapter. Here is a post we saw from Denver Chapter Leader Brett Boyer.

I have some wonderful news - a way for you to support the Denver Chapter and feed your sweet-tooth! Tiff's Treats has locations across the country that can deliver fresh-baked cookies, brownies, special occasion packages, and a host of other delicious treats. The Denver Chapter will earn a percentage of every item sold, so don't worry about dropping a few extra items in your cart! Don't forget to use the promo code “confidence" Please note that this fundraiser only works when purchased directly through Tiff's Treats. They are on DoorDash and UberEats and all those other fancy apps, but we won't get a penny! Don't have a Tiff's Treats near you? No problem! They have a selection of items they will ship across the country, so share with all of your friends and family! I know baked goods are my love language, and I'm sure there's more of us out there! But hurry! This fundraiser is only good through April 14! And did I mention to use the code confidence? That's just the one word, confidence, and it's not case sensitive! Don't know whether there is a store near you? We got you! You can order on the Tiff's Treats app, or go to cookiedelivery.com. Go to "Order Online" and enter your address. It will let you know if there is one near you or if the items will be shipped, and the menu will update to your local menu or what is available for nationwide delivery! Don't forget to use the promo code - confidence! Without the exclamation point, although it is very exciting!

1) Place an order at cookiedelivery.com or on the Tiff’s Treats app.

2) At checkout, enter the code “confidence” in the order summary section.

3) You will know the promo code is applied to your order if you see a $.01 deduction from your total.

 

Mile High Chapter Chilipalooza 2024

By Nate Hecker

On February 24th, the Mile High Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind once again turned up the heat with their second annual Chilipalooza at Broadway Shot Spot!

The doors swung open at 5 PM, welcoming chili enthusiasts of all ages. From the littlest kiddos, who had until 8 PM to enjoy the festivities, to the adults who lingered until bedtime, this event truly catered to everyone's taste buds.

This year, the chili competition heated up with an impressive lineup of sixteen different types of chilis, an increase of six from last year! The creativity and variety were unmatched, with offerings ranging from classic Midwest red chili made by our youngest contestant, Hailie Hecker, age 14 to smoky delights cooked on a smoker, from Irish-coffee-infused concoctions, and even a vegan option. And let's not forget the abundance of green chilis that added a zesty twist to the competition.

Despite the diverse array of chili styles, one contestant stood out as a repeat winner, Sol Betancur, securing victory for the second year in a row with her chicken white chili. Teresa's tribute to her dad's breakfast green chili put up a fight, earning a well-deserved second place for Theresa Montano. Eileen Gallegos' brother-in-law Gilbert clinched the third spot with his flavorful creation, while Derrick Adamson earned recognition with the participation award.

Beyond the culinary delights, the event also featured a lively live auction, offering luxurious packages including the Monarch Black Hawk experience and a thrilling stay at the Stanley Hotel. The community spirit was electric as over fifty people came together to support the Mile High Chapter's initiatives, raising an impressive $2600 to further their noble cause.

Chilipalooza 2024 was a testament to the power of community, good food, and efforts. As chili pots simmered and laughter filled the air, it was clear that this annual event had become a cherished tradition for all who attended. Here's to another year of spicing things up and making a difference in the lives of others!

                             

                                       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equality at Easter. So That All Can Play!

By Maureen Nietfeld

From the aggregator: When I was a child, many, many, many years ago the traditional easter egg hunt was another holiday event for me to dread. While all of the non-blind children ran with great abandon and joy. I was stuck on the sideline feeling isolated and alone. I know that this was the story of many blind children. But if families with blind or sighted children are involved with the National Federation of the Blind? The next generation will have happy easter stories to tell. Maureen Nietfeld is a blind parent of a 5-year-old little boy. She is the president of our NFBCO Denver Chapter, and she is director of Student Services at the Colorado Center for the Blind. Here is what she says about the Easter Egg Hunt tradition at the Colorado Center for the Blind. It’s my favorite story in this issue of your Blind Coloradan.

For the past 33 years the Auraria West Pioneers have hosted an Easter egg hunt for blind children, their siblings, and families. We are thrilled that for the past two years we have been able to partner with them and host this awesome event at the Colorado Center for the Blind.  We have now been able to include our blind parents with their sighted children and families as well!! On March 23 the Easter egg hunt was held and it was lots and lots of fun. This event is complete with tons of eggs hidden all outside through the yards of the center. For the blind children there is beeping eggs for them to find. There’s also face painting, balloon animals, pictures with a Bunny, building your own Easter baskets, and lunch is provided. There were over 60 families in attendance at this wonderful event. The coolest thing of all is that now that it is at the Colorado Center for the Blind there is many blind role models running around showing our blind kids that anything is possible. Students at the Colorado Center for the Blind came out and volunteered to help with all of the different activities, they were helping kids build their Easter baskets, assisting kids and families all over the center’s property, and serving up lunch. We are thrilled to be a part of this partnership and look forward to hosting this event for many years to come.

 

Join Colorado Center for the Blind and Inside the Orchestra for a Musical Experience!

(We just received the following from Chaz Davis, director youth services, Colorado Center for the Blind)

When:

Saturday, April 27 at 10:00 AM

Where:

Colorado Center for the Blind (2233 W Shepperd Ave. Littleton, CO 80120)

Music with Feeling

A quartet of orchestral musicians and a Teaching Artist will guide young learners through a fun, interactive performance. We'll explore ways that music can help us with emotional identification, articulation, and regulation. The program will include orchestral classics, familiar songs, and new favorites!

Following the performance, join us for an "Instrument Petting Zoo," where kids will be invited to get hands-on with some musical instruments!

Register for “Music with Feeling” here

For more information please contact Chaz at (303) 778-1130 or cdavis@cocenter.org.

Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind Board of Trustees Offers the CSDB Superintendent Position

By Dianne Taylor, School/Community Liaison, Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind

On January 29, 2024, the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind Board of Trustees voted to offer the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind Superintendent position to Tera Spangler.

Tera Spangler, born and raised in a small Iowa farming town, became Deaf at age 10. Graduating in 2000 with a double major in Elementary Education and Deaf Education from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, she initially taught preschool in Omaha. Relocating to Colorado Springs, she spent five years in Falcon School District 49 as an Itinerant Teacher of the Deaf before earning her Masters in Deaf Education from the University of Northern Colorado.

In 2006, Tera joined the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind, embarking on a multifaceted journey. She held various roles, including Elementary Teacher, Curriculum and Assessment Coordinator, Principal, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, and presently serves as the Interim Superintendent. Alongside her professional roles, she pursued an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Oakland University.

Tera's commitment to advocating for Deaf, Blind, and Deafblind students remains unwavering. Her leadership strives for language access and equitable opportunities, endeavoring to create educational environments where students have equal access to language and visual information.

The Board of Trustees and staff of CSDB would like to publicly thank Tera Spangler, who has been serving as Interim Superintendent since the beginning April of 2022. We are extremely grateful to Mrs. Spangler for her steady, calm, and experienced leadership throughout the last 21 months. She has worked extraordinarily hard to move CSDB forward. She is a woman of great integrity and work ethic and has continued to focus on changes that will benefit the students of CSDB.

CSDB thanks our students, staff, parents, and community members who shared their thoughts to help us build a superintendent profile for the next superintendent.

 

Colorado Springs Downtown Partnership Honors Long-Time Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind Teacher Bambi Venetucci During Women's History Month

From the aggregator: Many in the Colorado Springs community have heard of and have visited the iconic Venetucci Farms. Over the years they have purchased produce, enjoyed the pumpkin patch, and even a corn maze. But many don’t know the back story. Blind students who attended the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind for many years knew Bambi as a kind, generous, and strict teacher. The late Ray McGeorge, a legendary leader of our affiliate who passed in 2011 certainly knew Bambi well. We were pleased to see a social media post from The Downtown COS Partnership during Women’s History Month about this dynamic blind woman. Here it is.

Bambini “Bambi” Macarantonio Venetucci was born in Frederick, Colorado on June 16, 1929, to Italian parents who immigrated to America from a village in Italy after World War I to escape poverty. Her father worked in the coal fields and the family farmed beans and potatoes.

Born with a severe visual impairment, Bambi came to live in Colorado Springs and attended school at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB) when she was just seven years old. It was a difficult transition from a loving home to an institutional setting far from her family.

In 1950 Bambi became one of the first blind students at the University of Colorado, Boulder. After transferring to a college in San Francisco, Bambi earned her degree in Special Education and returned to the CSDB in 1954, this time as a teacher. She was an outstanding teacher who took her students on annual trips to downtown Colorado Springs to teach them how to ride the bus, navigate escalators and elevators, cross streets, and order meals in restaurants. Her niece recalled that Bambi, “…wanted to know that nothing was impossible.” In 1983 Bambi Macarantonio was honored as the Colorado Teacher of the Year. In 1995, Bambi authored her autobiography, Dammi La Mano – Give Me Your Hand.

Bambi first met her husband-to-be Nick Venetucci in 1957. Both came from Italian-American families, and both attended St. Mary’s Cathedral. They courted for 27 years before marrying in 1984. From that point forward, the beloved couple worked together to give away thousands of free pumpkins from the Venetucci farm in Security. As journalist Bill Vogrin noted, Bambi “scheduled the buses of schoolchildren as Nick shepherded around the fields.”

Nick Venetucci passed away in 2004 and just weeks later a statue of him was unveiled on the grounds of the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. As Bambi touched the face and hands of the statue, she said, “It’s him. Those hands are his hands. So strong.”

Bambi Venetucci was a selfless person who poured her heart into her students, friends,
family, and community. As her great nephew Chris Dallinger stated, “Bambi Venetucci made a profound positive impact on everyone she ever met. There are few people you can describe as an absolute inspiration, but Aunt Bambi was exactly that.” Bambi Venetucci passed away on January 15, 2015, at the age of 85.

 

No Half-Baked chapter fundraiser

By Paul T. Chief tasting Enthusiast National Federation of the Blind of Colorado, Wild West Chapter

Howdy Members and Bakers Extraordinaire,

Hold onto your aprons because it's time to fire up those ovens for the Wild West Bake-Off, brought to you by the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado, Wild West Chapter.

Get ready to indulge your taste buds and showcase your baking prowess at this sizzling event! Mark your calendars with these important details:

Date: April 20th Time: 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM Location: Brewability

Address: 3445 S. Broadway, Englewood, CO 80113.

Here's the scoop on registration and payment:

Registration: - All aspiring bakers must register and pay by April 13th. - To throw your hat in the baking ring, shoot an email to Charis at cglatthar@gmail.com. - Don't forget to include your name, contact info, and the tantalizing treats you'll be whipping up.

Payment Methods:

 - We're equipped to handle payments in style: - Zelle: Wild.west.nfbco@gmail.com

 - Apple Pay: Shoot it over to Paul Sandoval at 720-620-8007

 - Venmo: Glide your payment to @Paul-Sandoval-22

 Entry Fees: - It's just $25 per entry to showcase your baking brilliance.

- For those with a passion for tasting, it's only $10 (with proceeds supporting the Wild West Chapter). So have a taste and vote for the best.

Cash Prizes Await! - That's right, folks! The top bakers will snag some sweet cash prizes: - 1st Place: $100 - 2nd Place: $75 - 3rd Place: $25 And that’s not all! When the competition is over, feel free to sell your goodies to everyone!

Don't Miss Out: - For those eager to taste the creations, fear not! Pay $15 at the door and savor the flavors. Let's make this Bake-Off a roaring success! Secure your spot and settle your dues promptly to ensure a buttery-smooth experience for all. Thanks a heap for your support, and we're counting down the days to indulge in some delicious delights with you!

 

Always Exciting Things Happening in the Colorado Association of Blind Parents

From the aggregator: Here is an update from Brittany Savage of our Blind Parents Group.

We have a trip to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on May 4. If people would like to go, all they have to do is contact me. The Blind Parents Division is also offering financial assistance for childcare at national convention. Applications are due by April 5. We have the musical Frozen on June 29. The tickets are $50 each. Our next meeting is going to be on Tuesday, April 9 at 6:30 talking about traveling with children especially to national convention. You can reach me at this email address tanielizabeth21@yahoo.com.

 

Downtown Colorado Springs Will Never Be the Same!

From the aggregator: As we spread the word here is the press release sent to all El Paso County media. If you know people in and around the southern Front Range, please call this to their attention.

To members of the press and all community calendars, on April 15th there will be an organizing meeting of a new National Federation of the Blind Colorado Chapter in Downtown COS. The gathering will take place on Monday, April 15th from 5:30 until 7pm at 19 N Tejon St. We appreciate the meeting space being donated by Avenue 19. As El Paso County grows so does the community of blind and low-vision people. There has been an Olympic City Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind for 60 years. That chapter meets on the second Saturday of each month. The new NFBCO Downtown COS Chapter will begin meeting on the 3rd Monday evening of each month.

The National Federation of the Blind is the oldest and largest organization of blind/low-vision people in the nation. More than a social or self-help group for people who are blind and their families. We are a true civil rights advocacy organization. We are a social action movement, “the authentic voice of the organized blind”. Wherever good things are happening on behalf of people who are blind/low vision you will find the National Federation of the Blind. We led the fight in Colorado for parental rights, accessible app and website laws, accessible voting and much more. We look forward to having blind people of all ages, professionals who work with people who are blind/low vision, parents of blind children and others join us to learn more about the organization, and membership and to help set priorities of the blind in Colorado Springs, the state and nation.

You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams.

https://nfb.org/

https://www.nfbco.org/

We are a volunteer membership organization. Leaders are democratically elected. The majority of whom must be legally blind.  We are a 501C3 nonprofit.

For further information contact Kevan Worley, Chair, organizing committee kevan@nfbco.org 303-929-2369.

 

From the aggregator: Sorry we have been absent for a while. I will try to do better next time. For April, that’s all she wrote! Forward! Always Forward!

December Blind Coloradan

Blind Coloradan Blog

December 1, 2023

Writer, aggregator: Kevan Worley

Contributors: Dan Burke & Erin Daley, with assistance from Lisa Bonderson.

National Federation of the Blind of Colorado, President, Jessica Beecham

jbbeecham@gmail.com

Dear reader, I’m feeling guilty. Is it guilt or commitment? It's been a while since I have been in front of the computer to share with members and friends the spirit and activity of our NFBCO through our Blind Coloradan Blog. My apologies. I would like to start by observing how fantastic our recent state convention was. The theme was STEAM. The focus was on youth in pursuit of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. In upcoming blogs, we will capture some of the flavors of our 2023 state convention of science and beyond. From the experiments to the art room. From discussion of artificial intelligence and what it means for the blind to the celebration of young blind science instructors.

Regular readers of this blog may recall that Thanksgiving happens to be my favorite holiday. I do hope yours was all you wished it to be. Throughout all the holy days I wish each of you a happy giving of thanks. I wish you all the joy and celebration of your special holiday. I also wish for you the love of The National Federation of the Blind. Love is truly one of the core values of our movement. Without love, we couldn’t do the work we do. The NFB provides a loving, supportive, and encouraging family that shares in the challenges and triumphs of our blind brothers and sisters. This deeply held faith in one another sustains members during times of challenge and cheers on individual and collective successes. Love is the feeling that permeates our organization and pushes us to expect the best from each other.

 

Ashley Neybert and Charis Glatthar prepping a science experiment and a roomful of students getting their t-shirts ready for reverse tie dye.

 

2023 Annual Presidential Report

By Jessica Beecham, President National Federation of the Blind of Colorado

From the aggregator: Soon you will find the entire annual report, delivered at the state convention by NFBCO state president Jessica Beecham on our website. She did a splendid job recounting our tribulations, triumphs, accomplishments, and hard work over this past year. The scope of our work and the depth of the understanding we have of the wants and needs of Colorado’s blind and low-vision citizens are well captured in President Beecham’s report. In this blog, we will post only the first 2 pages. I think you will find it on point and inspiring. Please enjoy.

In the Spirit of this Science Themed Convention, I asked Chat GPT to Generate a story about a community persevering and thriving after the loss of a great leader. After just this prompt, I got a very fitting response that I wanted share with you as I begin my 2023 Presidential Report. Listen to the story and draw your own comparisons and contrasts as we revisit the trials and triumphs of our past year in the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado.

In a small, tight-knit village nestled deep within a lush forest, a remarkable leader named Elara had guided her people for many years. She was not just a leader but also a friend, mentor, and the heart of the community. Under her wise guidance, the village had flourished, and its residents had enjoyed a peaceful and prosperous life.

One fateful day, tragedy struck as Elara fell gravely ill. The entire village rallied around her, providing care and support, but despite their best efforts, she passed away. The loss was profound, leaving a void in the hearts of everyone who had known her.

Grief and sadness engulfed the village, but amidst the mourning, a determination began to emerge. Elara had taught her people many valuable lessons, one of which was the importance of resilience and unity. She had instilled in them the belief that they could overcome any challenge as a community.

With heavy hearts, the villagers gathered to honor Elara's memory. They decided to carry forward her legacy by continuing the work she had started. Elara had been known for her love of nature and her efforts to protect the forest, so the villagers began by organizing regular tree-planting ceremonies and wildlife preservation initiatives.

Leadership within the village evolved, with a council of elders and experienced individuals taking on the roles that Elara had once held. While they couldn't replace her entirely, they carried her spirit and wisdom in their hearts, guiding the village toward prosperity and harmony. The lessons Elara had imparted remained a guiding light, and her memory lived on in every tree they planted, every child they educated, and every challenge they overcame as a united community.

The villagers proved that the legacy of a great leader doesn't end with their passing. Instead, it lives on through the people they inspired and the values they instilled,

While he was not with us in Person in 2022, Scott LaBarre had a larger-than-life presence at our National Federation of the Blind of Colorado State Convention. From his hospital bed, between being treated, poked, and prodded, he found time to send at least 3 20-plus minute audio clips to “squeeze” into the agenda, send encouraging text messages, chat on the phone, and join us live on Zoom as much as he could. I am so glad that he took the time to share his deep intellect, energy, wisdom, and love in what would unbeknownst to the rest be his final National Federation of the Blind of Colorado State Convention.

In early December, Scott ended a courageous, and hard-fought battle with cancer. His untimely death left us heartbroken, gutted, and unsure how to chart a path forward that did not include our chief legal counsel for the National Federation of the Blind, world treaty negotiator, powerful thought leader, game-changing civil rights attorney, staunch advisor, wise mentor, and beloved friend Scott LaBarre. Scott, in short, we miss you terribly!

The blows continued to rain down on the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado with the losses of dear friends and leaders like Tracy Jones. Jon Deden, Karen Samuelson, and most recently, the legendary Dr. Dots, Tom Anderson.

In his 1983 Banquet address, The Other Half of Inertia, Dr. Kenneth Jernigan says: “We have learned the truth of the other half of inertia: things in motion tend to remain in motion—and it is as hard to stop something which is moving as it is to start something which is not. We are moving! We are going with a mighty sweep, straight for equality and first-class status—and no force on earth can slow us down or turn us back or change our direction.”

Despite our profound losses, the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado upheld our brand promise. The promise we make to ourselves and the promise we make to one another that together with love, hope, and determination, we transform dreams into reality. We are an organization in motion, and we will not be stopped. In fact, you might say that despite the heavy burdens of the last year, we are moving full STEAM ahead.

We kicked off 2023 by hosting a memorial to honor the life of Scott LaBarre. The service was attended by over 300 individuals in person and several hundred on Zoom. Attendees joined us from around the globe. Leaders from the National Federation of the Blind, World Blind Union, American Bar Association, World Intellectual Property Organization, Colorado General Assembly, friends, and family spoke to the tremendous impact that Scott made on countless lives throughout the world. We threw the kind of party that Scott would have loved to attend with plenty of glasses of gas to go around. 

The memorial helped us to begin our healing process and focus on moving forward in a way that would make Scott proud. In February, we gathered in Colorado State Capitol where Scott was honored on the Senate floor and our members advocated for accessible prescriptions, continued funding of the NFB-NEWSLINE program, and state funding for the Business Enterprise Program. We did receive NFB-NEWSLINE funding, and Project Literacy, funding for 2023. We planted the seeds to pave the way to success in our pursuit of accessible prescription legislation as well as funding for the Business Enterprise Program in the 2024 Congressional session.

 

From the aggregator: over the years we have worked with Denver Marriott South at Park Meadows. Their staff does a wonderful job for us. Just in time for the holidays, we thought we would post this pretty picture of a table set for the NFBCO annual banquet.

Celebrate the Holidays with CCB & NFB of Denver!

Join us for a festive day of holiday fun and excitement!

Saturday, December 9, 11 AM to 2 PM

Colorado Center for the Blind, 2233 W. Shepherd Ave., Littleton, CO 80120

A holiday party isn’t complete without fun! So don’t miss our:

•          Hot Chocolate Bar: Indulge in a delightful variety of flavors and toppings at our hot chocolate bar. Warm up with a cup of deliciousness!

•          Fun Holiday Theme Scavenger Hunt: Embark on an exciting scavenger hunt filled with holiday-themed clues and surprises. Test your skills and win fantastic prizes!

•          Creative Arts and Crafts Project: Unleash your inner artist and participate in our creative arts and crafts project. Get crafty and take home a masterpiece!

•          Enjoy a scrumptious lunch with us! We will be serving meatball subs, and for our veggie-loving friends, we have a delicious veggie option available.

Special Guest: Don't miss the highlight of the event! Santa Claus himself will be paying us a visit at 1 o'clock. Get your wish lists ready and capture the magic of the season with a photo with Santa!

RSVP for CCB’s holiday party HERE, Come and join the holiday festivities at the Colorado Center for the Blind. It's a day filled with joy, laughter, and memorable moments. We can't wait to celebrate with you!

For more information, please contact: Chaz Davis, Director of Youth Services

 (303) 778-1130 ext. 212, cdavis@cocenter.org

This event is open to all ages. Please bring your holiday spirit and come prepared for a jolly good time!

 

My Favorite Things

By Gail Hamilton

From the aggregator: Perhaps you saw this on our Colorado Talk. It certainly captures the holiday spirit. One of my favorite things happens to be the work we do and the love we share in The National Federation of the Blind of Colorado. I hope you will be able to join your local chapter for their holiday celebration. Getting together with friends and colleagues in our movement is always a joy. Gail Hamilton is a frequent contributor to this blog. She is an active member of our Colorado Association of Guide Dog Users. She serves as president of the Englewood Lions Club.

“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens;

Brown paper packages tied up with strings, These are a few of my favorite things.”

We all know these famous words from the 1965 musical "Sound of Music."

Of course, my mind wondered what some of my top favorite things would be. Hmm.

1. Sitting in my recliner with the heating element on in the sunshine reading a book

2. Sitting in the same chair writing a blog

3. Watching a movie while enjoying a bowl of popcorn

4. Taking a walk with my pup in the sunshine

5. Connecting with friends over a scrumptious meal

6. Talking to friends or family over the phone

7. Listening to Rachmaninoff and/or Grieg's piano concertos

8. Lying on the floor snuggling with my pup

9. Taking naps wrapped in a cozy blanket

10. Eating any cookie ever made

11. Soaking in a warm bath

12. Singing and/or playing piano or autoharp

As this holiday season starts to accelerate, and you fill your calendar with extra parties, buying and wrapping presents, mailing packages, writing Christmas cards, baking cookies, and preparing special meals, take a moment for yourself. Take some time to enjoy the Christmas lights, beautiful music, the warmth of loved ones, and the true meaning of Christmas. Take a moment to do one of your favorite things. Perhaps, for fun, (no stress or obligation), write your favorite things down and see how many of them you can do during this busy, busy, busy time. For in this way, you'll be giving yourself the most precious gift of all, love. Take a moment to enjoy the pure bliss of Christmas for in this way, you will change the way you see and change the way you live.

Braille Readers Are Leaders

Reminder to Register & Start Reading on December 4

Encourage more Braille. Improve reading skills. Win prizes.

The National Federation of the Blind is proud to partner with the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults for the 2023-2024 Braille Readers Are Leaders contest. This Braille literacy contest is for students and adults learning Braille across the U.S. to compete against participants in similar contest categories for seven weeks. Participants will:

•          Register and log minutes read each day online using Beanstack.

•          Log the number of minutes read. Earn prizes and fun badges as you read.

•          Read the most minutes in your category and receive a cash prize in addition to all other prizes earned.

•          Earn entries into a drawing for a fabulous grand prize! The more minutes you read, the more entries you earn.

The contest will begin on December 4, 2023 and run through January 23, 2024. Register today!

We are excited to get started reading with you!

Getting Started on Monday

Register for the contest and log your first day of reading: Receive a contest T-Shirt. This will be mailed to you as soon as possible so you can enjoy it while the contest is still in progress. The rest of the prizes will be mailed soon after the contest concludes.

We are excited to offer Beanstack as the means to register and log minutes for Braille Readers Are Leaders this year. Beanstack will allow you, your child, or student to receive encouragement and prize reminders in real time as minutes are logged. As always however, the American Action Fund is committed to helping all those who are interested in participating in this contest. If you are unable to register or log minutes read online, please email BrailleReadingContest@actionfund.org for assistance.

For more information about Braille Readers Are Leaders, visit www.actionfund.org/programs/braille-readers-are-leaders.

Braille Book Resources

Expand your Braille library and toolbox. Check out the Braille storybook resources webpage for information on free books, lending libraries, and Braille book retailers.

 

Happy Holidays from the Director of the Colorado Center for the Blind!

From the aggregator: we received the below from Julie Deden. Julie is not only gifted and dedicated, but she is also kind and warm. Her wishes for all of us come from the heart. When she says Happy Thanksgiving, she might as well be saying a very happy holiday to each of us. The picture of Maureen, David, and Logan Nietfeld standing in a corn maze is extra special. 5-year-old Logan has the widest, cutest smile. That’s the spirit of the holidays right there.

Dear Family, Friends, Alumni, and Supporters -

I wanted to take a quick moment to wish everyone in our CCB family a Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the Colorado Center for the Blind! We have so much to be thankful for this year, as we do every year.

As I reflect on all of our students over this past year, I feel a surge of emotion thinking about each individual's growth. We all take strength and joy in blind people growing, becoming confident in themselves as blind people, and coming to truly believe that they can live the lives they want!

A warm and loving holiday to you all!

Sincerely, Julie

 

We are resolute!

From the aggregator: Our recent convention had a science theme. We had a great deal of celebration. We considered items of importance to blind and low-vision Coloradans. We thoroughly considered and passed 6 resolutions. These are the official policies of our affiliate. They will guide our work in the months and years ahead. You can find the entire text of these resolutions on our website. https://nfbco.org/Resolutions

RESOLUTION 2023-01 Regarding the Inaccessibility of AXS.com and the AXS Mobile App

RESOLUTION 2023-02 Regarding Equivalent Certifications from the National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB) by the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and its Blind and Low Vision Services (BLVS)

RESOLUTION 2023-03 Regarding National Federation of the Blind of Colorado NFB-NEWSLINE® Support for and Expansion of Critically Needed Services

RESOLUTION 2023-04 Regarding the Need for Urgent Action to Prevent Ongoing Discrimination Against the Blind by Transportation Network Companies

RESOLUTION 2023-05 Regarding Modernization of the Colorado Business Enterprise Program through Changes in Colorado Procurement Practices to Allow for Sales of Surplus Equipment

RESOLUTION 2023-06 Regarding Streamlining Procurement Procedures for the Business Enterprise Program in Colorado

I know that President Beecham, Legislative Chair Dan Burke, and our other leaders will be calling on each of us to help move these policies forward. We look forward to engaging with the governor, general assembly, state, and local governmental units, partners, and private sector entities to make these resolutions, the hopes and dreams of blind and low-vision people come true.

 

Online Voting for the Blind: Security Should Not Supersede Access

From the aggregator: Above we wrote about resolutions recently passed at our 2023 state convention. Those resolutions came to the committee from rank-and-file members of our movement. A few years ago the convention considered resolutions to make voting completely accessible to the blind. With the cooperation of Secretary of State Jena Griswold and determined advocacy from members of our movement led and informed by Scott LaBarre, Curtis Chong, and Dan Burke, we have come far! We are posting an article from the Voice Of the Nations Blind Blog written by Curtis Chong. We recommend that members and friends of the National Federation of the Blind check out the Voice of the Nations Blind Blog it is always informative. Here is what Curtis said. https://nfb.org/blog/online-voting-blind-security-should-not-supercede-access

The ability to vote using a secret ballot that can be marked privately and without coercion has long been a fundamental cornerstone of America’s democratic system. For centuries, blind voters were forced to rely on the help of election judges, trusted friends or relatives, or other human readers to mark their ballots. This deprived them of the right to a truly secret ballot. Blind people like me, who wanted to participate in the democratic process, put up with this lack of true secrecy and independence as long as there were no viable alternatives available.

The 1972 presidential election was my first opportunity to participate in the electoral process. At that time, the only way that I could vote was with the help of an election judge. This didn’t bother me too much—I was used to working with sighted readers. There were no alternatives available that would have given me the chance to mark my ballot independently and secretly. I voted this way for more than three decades.

The first nonvisually accessible systems for marking and casting ballots at the polls were developed because of the passage of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) in 2002. These systems had tactile keys and text-to-speech technology to provide a nonvisual interface to the ballot. Once the blind voter finished marking and checking the ballot, these systems would print a something which, for all intents and purposes, was the same ballot as that cast by other voters. I used an accessible voting machine during the 2004 presidential election to mark and cast my very first truly secret ballot. The personal freedom I felt after having done this was liberating.

Two years later, I went to the polls to vote in another election. I had forgotten how to use the voting machine. The equipment had changed anyway. I had to spend extra time learning how to use the new system before I could get down to the actual business of marking the ballot. I felt more than a little frustrated and annoyed with the whole experience. When I discussed this with my blind friends and colleagues, I heard that I was not the only blind person who experienced this. I had to familiarize myself with a system which I would use only once every one or two years.

The online voting systems available today—in particular, those systems which enable ballot marking and return via email or through a Web portal—offer blind voters the chance to receive, mark, review, and return our ballots using technology we can confidently and proficiently operate. The ability to return a ballot electronically is critical for blind voters who don’t have ready access to a printer—especially if travel to a polling center is difficult or impossible. This type of system enables blind voters to work with familiar software and hardware—something that is impossible using the accessible voting equipment at the polls.

Security pundits have said that returning ballots electronically is the least secure way to return marked ballots and is guaranteed to corrupt the voting process. Stories in the media give greater emphasis to this argument. They fail to point out that voters who are blind or who have print disabilities still deserve the ability to return ballots electronically, security concerns notwithstanding.

Many people (and some of the media) claim that online voting is equivalent to eliminating the paper ballot. This is not true. Usually when a ballot is received electronically, it is printed on the same kind of paper using the same format as the standard paper ballot received through other channels. During the counting process, a ballot submitted through an online system is indistinguishable from one sent in by mail or placed in a ballot box.

I do not quarrel with the idea that the voting process needs to be as secure as possible. Neither do I disagree that returning a ballot electronically is not without some security risk. Where I draw the line is when security experts and others tell us that blind voters and voters with print disabilities do not deserve the opportunity to return their ballots electronically on the theory that security concerns should supersede their right to vote privately and independently.

I fully understand that the electoral process implemented in this country is built on a foundation of trust. When voters place ballots into ballot boxes, or send their ballots in by mail, they trust that no disreputable individual will tear up their votes but, instead, will insert the paper ballot into the counting system so that it can be accurately processed. When ballots are submitted electronically, I understand that the electronic information in the ballot has a slim chance of being corrupted before it reaches its destination, but I am willing to take that risk in light of the greater accessibility that I enjoy by using the electronic ballot return process. Online voting is a technology that is still relatively new. Blind voters like me and voters with print disabilities appreciate having this capability. We can and will continue to advocate for this type of system in states where it doesn’t exist today. Gone are the days when technology did not exist for us to cast a private and truly secret ballot! Security should not supersede our right to cast a private and truly secret ballot.

 

Lyft Driver takes Discrimination to a New Level of Confrontation

By Kevan Worley, CEO Worley Enterprises

Dear Reader,

I wanted to share with you an email I recently wrote to the President of the National Federation of the Blind, Mark Riccobono. It speaks for itself, and it speaks to a growing number of incidents, when Lyft and Uber drivers blatantly deny us our right to travel. Here is what I wrote:

Greetings Mr. President,

Thank you for your continued dedication to our cause. Thank you to the National Federation of the Blind for your continued advocacy relative to transportation network companies. As you know incidents of driver denials in the Denver metro area have become an epidemic. I happen to be a loyal Lyft customer. However, a few weeks ago a denial by a Lyft driver became more dramatic and scarier than usual. I have reported the incident to Lyft.

While traveling with my well-groomed, highly trained, well-behaved guide dog I was denied a ride by a Lyft driver. When I attempted to explain to him that Lyft had policies prohibiting discrimination by drivers against service dog handlers. He said he did not care and that there was nothing I could do about it. I indicated that both Colorado and Federal law meant that he must take guide dog handlers. He then drove a few feet away and taunted me. Saying, “You can’t find me. You can't find me. You can't find me!”

Early the next morning I called Lyft to report the incident. I detailed the denial in full. I mentioned that I was taunted by the driver. The Lyft representative indicated that they would take this very seriously. She said I would hear back from Lyft within 48 hours. I did not. 3 days later I called the Lyft rideshare denial report line again. The gentleman sounded even more interested in the incident. He said that he would make sure that this taunting incident would be brought to an even higher level within Lyft. Again, he said I would hear back from the company within 48 hours. I have never heard back from Lyft. I found the incident extremely disturbing. Lyft is my primary rideshare company. I have retired my guide dog within the past week. I will be going for training of a new guide dog shortly. I, like many of my blind friends in Denver, are even considering not getting a successor dog. Denials have become more frequent. And now they are happening with the element of taunting. That is unacceptable. It is not humane. It’s the way I was treated in the 2nd and 3rd grade.

Thank you very much for your attention to this matter. If there is any further advocacy you can take regarding TNC rider denials I would appreciate it. I stand ready to help in any way I can.

At your service,

Kevan Worley

303-929-2369

Manager Project Literacy, National Federation of the Blind of Colorado

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.

Colorado Center for the Blind believes when you believe in yourself and experience a thriving community of positive blind people, nothing can hold you back from pursuing your dreams.

 

Okay, folks, that’s all she wrote for our holiday blog. I wish you all the happiness in the world. I, for one, celebrate all of the holidays. I wish you and your family great joy during this season of giving, faith, celebration, and love. Our federation community certainly has much to celebrate. Happy New Year! Forward always forward!