(Up there on top is
the NFB of Colorado Logo followed by “Live the life you want.”)
Blind Coloradoan Blog January 25, 2019
Writer, aggregator Kevan Worley. Co-editor Dan Burke.
Happy New Year! Here is what you need to know.
Hear ye, hear ye! Oh yay, oh yay! Draw nigh! Carpe
Diem! The Seventy-second session of the Colorado General Assembly
has begun. On February 11, blind citizens and allies will gather for the NFBCO
Day at the Capitol. NFBCO extends to you a warm and welcoming invitation to
join the day. We will assemble by 8 a.m. on Monday February 11 in Senate Caucus
Room 352, S.C.R 352, for our issue briefing. Senator Pete Lee and State
Representative Mark Schneider plan to offer brief remarks. Those who have
previously joined us for the Day at the Capitol know that after the briefing we
will fan out to locate members of the general assembly in their offices or
elsewhere in the capitol. We will have educational materials about the National
Federation of the Blind for General Assembly members and their legislative
staff members. This year, we will provide legislators perspective and
information about our continuing effort to gain complete total and convenient
access to the ballot. (See Dan Burke’s excellent article, I Voted Twice, in the
January issue of the Braille
Monitor.) We will also advocate for the General Assembly’s
continuing support for NFB Newsline. In addition, we will be following up our
work of 3 years ago to ensure that specialized services through the Blindness
and Low Vision Services Unit under the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
continues unimpeded. Even those who are not active members of NFBCO will enjoy
the Day at the Capitol experience. Learn about the positions taken by the
oldest and largest organization of the blind in Colorado. Learn about the
process of law making at the state level. Enjoy the camaraderie. You will meet
some wonderful people. The need for change is great. Our record of legislative
accomplishment has been remarkable. In the last session, Representative Jessie
Danielson sponsored and managed our parent’s rights bill, H.B. 18-1104, The
Family Preservation Safeguards for Parents With Disabilities Act. She did so
with determination and diplomacy. When concerns were raised by county officials
as to the sweeping nature of reform, Representative Danielson brought leaders
and stakeholders together. NFBCO President Scott LaBarre is an expert on civil
rights law. He says he thinks this new law, signed by the Governor this past
June, may be the strongest parents’ rights bill in the nation. When we share
the authentic needs, hopes, and dreams of the blind of Colorado with members of
our General Assembly they are willing to take up our cause. This is what we
will do on February 11. (Note: This past November, Jessie Danielson was elected
to the Colorado Senate. Congratulations to her!)
Field Trip. Teachers and parents bring your
blind students to our Day at the Capitol! It’s a marvelous way to experience
how laws are made. You and your students will benefit by joining blind role
models. It is great fun! Hey teachers and kids, lunch on me.
 |
Photo of blind
entrepreneur, Nate Hecker, standing by the kiosk he operates at State Capitol
Lower Level.
|
Colorado is a vote-by-mail state. As noted
above, members of NFBCO and our allies will visit with members of the General
Assembly on Monday, February 11. Curtis Chong, long-time Federation leader, has
provided perspective on equal access to the ballot to the Blind Coloradoan.
Here it is. Registered voters receive in the mail a printed ballot which they
mark and send in during an election. Blind Coloradans who are unable to see the
printed ballot have no way to mark this printed ballot without sighted
assistance, thus compromising their ability to cast a truly secret ballot.
Although it is possible for voters who are blind to use equipment at the polls
to mark the ballot in complete secrecy, some voters who are blind either do not
have transportation available to get them to the polls or the equipment
provided for nonvisual access to the printed ballot oftentimes does not work.
Fortunately, there is a solution to this dilemma.
Technology exists which enables blind voters to request an online version of
the printed ballot and secretly and independently mark the ballot using the
access technology with which they are most familiar. This technology has been
successfully deployed in Maryland and New Mexico, and in the case of the
latter, at little or no cost to the state.
The State of Colorado should adopt a similar system—a
system that is based on proven technology and which has worked extremely well
for blind voters.
Membership in the National Federation of the Blind
brings tangible benefits. Aira announces NFB exclusive plan. For
details and to experience go to aira.io/nfb or call 800-835-1934.
Introduce yourself! The NFB Aira Intro Plan is the most inexpensive Aira has
ever offered. $20 for 30 minutes per month. It’s a very nice rate to begin
enjoying the service. The most popular plan is the NFB $99 offer. Receive 140
minutes, numerous guest features, connect with agents anytime anywhere,
referral plan to earn savings and minutes. Austria glasses are included.
Inexpensive options to upgrade to the newest Horizon glasses available. Learn
more by listening to NFB President Mark Riccobono’s release January 4,
#worldbrailleday.
To paraphrase Herodotus, “Neither snow nor rain nor
heat nor gloom of night nor Government shut down stays these civil rights
activists from their appointed rounds with members of Congress.” National
Federation of the Blind will visit the 116th Congress January 28th,
29th, and 30th. If you are not able to attend send us
your positive energy. We will need your help when we return. Get all the facts!
You become the expert. Read and share with your chapter or division.
Hey Alexa. Monday January 15, NFB Newsline
subscribers received orientation to the Alexa NFB Newsline Skill. Colorado
joined subscribers from Georgia and Indiana. The interactive presentation was
taught by the main man himself, Scott White. Scott is Director, NFB Newsline.
He has led the development of this service for 12 years. Scott’s innovative
management has led to more ways to access the service. His commitment to
increase content has built NFB Newsline into the power news and entertainment
provider for people who are reading disabled. Future NFB Newsline training
calls are contemplated. To do a deep dive into the Skill spend some time at NFB.org.
Maureen Nietfeld joins Project Literacy. At
the 2018 NFBCO state convention, we kicked off a new initiative to grow and
promote braille literacy, NFB Newsline, NFBCO scholarship program, and our 2nd
annual 6 Dot Dash 5k. Maureen Nietfeld, one of the busiest, most respected
NFBCO leaders has agreed to join this new effort. Maureen left her position at
the Colorado Center for the Blind after 8 years as the Home Management Coordinator.
At CCB she taught, mentored, and inspired staff and students alike. Maureen and
David Nietfeld are now the proud parents of Logan. The little man is 5 months
old. Mamma Maureen plans to return to school and go back to work assisting with
the Project Literacy enterprise. She joins NFBCO Secretary Jessica Beecham and
all of us who do this work with joy.
Our Christmas Babe
in arms. Pictured here David holds sleeping Logan, Maureen with Santa Dan Burke
at the Colorado Center for the Blind.
In its January 19 meeting, the NFB of Denver
Chapter elected the following:
Dan Burke, President;
Vicki Sayler, 1st Vice
President;
Dishon Spears, 2nd Vice
President;
Treasurer, Brittany Savage;
Secretary, Kyra Sweeney;
Board Members John Batron, Brett
Boyer and Showe Trella.
Note to our fitness enthusiasts. The
January USABA Newsletter is out. Click here to check it out!
A discussion of air travel among the bling will
inevitably lead to stories of the horrible and hilarious. Doctoral
student, Bhoomika Bhagchandani, offers us an opportunity to share our
experiences. Bhoomika is a doctoral student at Hugh Downs School of Human
Communication at Arizona State University. She is conducting a research study
to examine the air travel experiences of individuals who are blind and visually
impaired. She can be contacted at bbhagcha@asu.edu or 602-317-2337.
Award * Encourage * Achieve
Building opportunities for the blind in education and beyond.
So, you are blind. You are visually impaired. You are
a parent or teacher of a legally blind student. Never fear, the NFBCO is here! On
Saturday March 2nd at noon, NFBCO will share tips and tricks to seek and
complete scholarship applications specific to blind students. Do not face the
daunting task of searching for financial assistance to further your education
alone. Details about this all-important training will be announced soon. For
now, just spread the word and plan to join the experts. This special seminar at
the Colorado Center for the Blind will be one not to be missed.
This year the National Federation of the Blind of
Colorado will be awarding up to $15,000 in scholarship funds for deserving
students. If you are a legally blind student who is a resident of Colorado,
please apply immediately!
v If
you are a teacher, counselor, family member or friend of a legally blind
student who is a resident of Colorado, please encourage them to apply now! Students
who have previously won an NFBCO scholarship are encouraged to apply again.
v All
scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, service to the
community, and financial need.
v Applications
are due by Monday, April 15, 2019
v Winners
will attend the 2019 National Federation of the Blind of Colorado’s annual
state convention held October 31st through November 3rd
at the Fort Collins Hilton. Winners will be awarded their scholarships at the
banquet on Saturday evening, November 2nd, 2019. Proud moms, dads,
teachers, siblings, grandparents, and friends are invited to join the
celebration. In addition, scholarship winners will be required to attend the
2019 NFB National Convention which is scheduled to take place July 7-12 at
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. This expense-paid National Federation of the
Blind convention education experience is in addition to the scholarship grant.
v For
info reach Scholarship Chairperson Jessica Beecham, jessica@nfbco.org. Also visit National
Federation of the Blind of Colorado.
But wait, there is more!
Deserving, starving students always need more money. The National Federation of the Blind has the
most robust scholarship program in the nation. Thanks to our generous partners,
there are thirty
merit-based scholarships currently available, ranging from
$3,000 to $12,000. Deadline for applications is March 31, 2019. Visit National
Federation of the Blind for more scholarship information and
application.
But wait, there is even more!
The SEE THE FUTURE Fund is pleased to award scholarships
to qualified visually impaired and blind students who are Colorado
residents. This scholarship fund is made possible through generous donations by
ophthalmologists, optometrists, opticians, staff, corporations, educators,
foundations and many others with an interest in the lives of the visually
impaired and blind. All scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement,
school and community service, and individual need. Scholarships totaling up to
$42,000 may be awarded. Probable distribution will be one (1) $12,000 four-year
scholarship, one (1) $10,000 four-year scholarship, one (1) $8,000 four-year
scholarship, and three (3) $4,000 two year scholarships. Application
deadline, March 1st, 2019. For more information and application, See
The Future.
Christian Record Services for the Blind Scholarships.
“When I was a child of about 7 years old, I was living
with grandparents in small-town Illinois. I felt isolated with no access to
reading material or blind peers. One day, a gentleman came to our door from the
Christian Record Services for the Blind. He was interested in my welfare and
that of my family’s. He provided information and inspiration. And, he gave me a
record. He connected us with the Library of Congress Talking Book Program and
the Foundation began sending me these audio magazines on record. Inspirational
articles were read. Interviews with real blind people were presented. I will
always have a place in my heart for the Christian Record Services for the
Blind.”
As one of the leading producers of free full-vision
publications for children and teens with visual impairments, Christian Record
Services for the Blind awards several partial scholarships annually for up to
$2,000 to legally blind young people who are striving to obtain a college
degree in the United States. Deadline, April 1st, 2019. Get the info
at Christian
Record Services for the Blind.
The December 14th issue carried a note
about the upcoming Anchor Center Visions of Love event. But, you can
never have too much love! Especially around Valentine’s Day. Friday, February 8th,
the Anchor Center for Blind Children is hosting Visions of Love 2019. This
charming event pairing wine and chocolate celebrates the artistry of all things
decadent. Enjoy this opportunity to pamper your palate and share the magic of
Anchor Center’s building and mission during the season of love. Hosted by the
Denver Delta Gamma Alumnae Chapter, tickets are $50 for General Admission, $75
for VIP. Get all the dets at Anchor Center for Blind Children. See you there!
Winner, winner, winner!
At the 2018 convention of
the National Federation of the Blind, an award of $5,000 went to Peggy
Chong who, for more than two decades, has documented empowering stories about
blind people on her website, theblindhistorylady.com. Peggy was honored along with 5 other
recipients of the distinguished Bolotin Award. Many of us enjoyed Peggy’s
stories at the 2018 NFBCO State Convention. Peggy and her husband Curtis have
been leaders of the Federation since the early 1970s. This past Fall, they
moved to Colorado. Peggy is already taking a leadership role in our affiliate. The
Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards honor individuals and organizations that are a
positive force in the lives of blind people and whose work advances the
ultimate goal of helping transform our dreams into reality. Dr. Jacob W.
Bolotin (1888-1924) was the world’s first physician who was blind from birth.
He achieved that goal despite the tremendous challenges faced by blind people
in his time. Not only did he realize his own dream, but he also went on to
support and inspire many others.
Application
information. Application deadline, April 15,
2019. Contact James Gashel, Chairman, Email: bolotinaward@nfb.org, Mobile:
808-234-9259, Google Voice: 970-306-9779.
Applications are
now open for the third annual Holman Prize for Blind Ambition. The Holman Prize
is funded by the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San
Francisco. This prize awards up to $25,000 each to three blind individuals who
wish to push their own limits and carry out a “dream” project of their own
creation. The Holman Prize is named for 19th century explorer James Holman (“the
blind traveler”), who was the first blind person to circumnavigate the globe,
and the most prolific traveler of any person before the era of modern
transportation. The application process consists of 3 phases. Phase 1, the
YouTube Pitch. Phase 2, the written proposal. Phase 3, the interviews and
judging. 2019 prizewinners are announced in July. Check out the frequently
asked questions at www.holman.ligthhouse-sf.org/faq.
Share Braille books. Do you have a Braille
book you'd like to share with others? Are you interested in receiving a Braille
book in the mail? Register, log in,
share, and browse. Join hundreds of Braille readers, teachers, parents, and
students in increasing the use of Braille books through ShareBraille.org. www.ShareBraille.org
lets you share Braille books all year long. You can continually send and
receive Braille books, keeping them in circulation for years to come.
NEW BOOKS FROM NATIONAL BRAILLE PRESS.
National Braille Press, nbp.org,
800-548-7323. A number of board books for babies and preschoolers are available
from National Braille Press. They can be purchased singly or, at a discount, in
sets of three. Titles include Animal Kisses; Hop on Pop; Bears and a Birthday;
What's Wrong Little Pookie?; That's Not My Monkey; That's Not My Pony; and
That's Not My Elephant.
Writing Your Way. Also available at
nbp.org, Composing and editing on an iPhone or iPad, by Judy Dixon. Available
in Braille and electronic formats. Most of us who have used an iPhone or iPad
have done some writing on it, but how many are ready to write a term paper or
full-length article with this technology? In this comprehensive reference
guide, Judy Dixon explores strategies and techniques that can make writing and
editing on your device a breeze.
TECHNOLOGY. Computers for the Blind, computersfortheblind.net,
Computers for the Blind provides refurbished computers with assistive
technology installed at affordable prices. Recently Computers for the Blind has
partnered with VFO, whose brands include Freedom Scientific and Ai Squared.
Laptop and desktop computers with monitors are available with Windows 10, and
they ship with JAWS and ZoomText installed.
“There is no business like show
business” especially when we join our friends for truly spectacular
performances direct from Broadway at the Denver Center for Performing Arts.
Lorinda Riddle, our own Ethel Merman, sends the following announcement. The
Mile High Chapter of the NFB of Colorado have two plays lined up as fundraisers
for the spring and summer season. Ticket
prices this year, even at our discounted rate, have increased so our price to
you is also higher. For those who have
attended in the past you know that our seat locations are quite good and worth
the cost.
The first play for the Mile High Chapter will be "The
Play That Goes Wrong" on Sunday, March 17 at 2 pm. Tickets are $40 each. On Sunday, June 1 at 2 pm we will see "Wicked." Those tickets will be $50 each.
The Blind Parents are also planning to attend two shows to
raise funds. CATS on Saturday, April 27 at 2 p.m. "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"
on Sunday, July 27 at 2 pm. Contact Brittany Savage at tanielizabeth21@yahoo.com
if interested in these shows.
The Seniors will be attending Fiddler on the Roof on
Saturday, June 15 at 2 pm and possibly Hello Dolly on Sunday, April 7 at 2 pm.
Contact Anahit LaBarre at alabarre@cocenter.org if
interested.
“Mr. Wonka: "Don’t forget what happened to the
man who suddenly got everything he wanted."
Charlie Bucket: "What happened?"
Mr. Wonka: "He lived happily ever after.”
― Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Charlie Bucket: "What happened?"
Mr. Wonka: "He lived happily ever after.”
― Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
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