Blind Coloradoan August 30, Labor Day Edition

Up there on top is the NFB of Colorado Logo followed by “Live the life you want.”

Blind Coloradoan Blog August 30

Writer, aggregator Kevan Worley. Contributing editor Dan Burke.

Here is what you need to know

NFBCO celebrates our quest for labor justice in Colorado.

Abraham Lincoln once stated, "All that serves labor serves the nation. All that harms is treason. If a man tells you he trusts America, yet fears labor, he is a fool. There is no America without labor, and to fleece the one is to rob the other”.

So, even in the time of Lincoln the contributions of the worker was being recognized.

In 1882, Labor Day was established. Although most Americans think of Labor Day weekend for the extra day off, family time, picnics, and camping we at the Blind Coloradoan think it is a time to stop and reflect on the blind and disabled worker. The landscape is changing for the worker with a disability. Only a few short years ago almost all people with disabilities working for non-profit, factories, and stores (factories often referred to as sheltered shops or sheltered workshops) were paid far less than the minimum wage. The ability for organizations like Goodwill, Lighthouses for the Blind, etc. to pay people with disabilities far less than the minimum wage was enshrined, ironically, in the most important, sweeping, labor law ever passed in this nation. The Wagner O'Day Act passed in 1938 assumed that blind people would not be able to perform equal work. Therefore, sheltered shops were given the right to pay significantly less than the minimum wage. Over the years, led by the National Federation of the Blind, we organized unions, picketed, and took on legislative initiatives to end the unhealthy, unfair, unjust discriminatory treatment of workers who are blind. As we gather with family over this Labor Day weekend, it seems fitting that we reflect on the blind labor leaders who have sacrificed for our movement over the years. Colorado used to have a broom shop. Blind people manufactured brooms and sold them door to door. Although some blind people benefited from the job opportunities created by this shop more than 60 years ago, their message was antiquated and discriminatory. The National Federation of the Blind of Colorado led the fight to close the shop down, and, the Federation won.

There are still people with disabilities in Colorado earning less than the minimum wage. We will continue our fight to end this practice. It is likely that in the next few months we will take our case to the Colorado General Assembly. It is long past time to end subminimum wages in Colorado.

This Labor Day weekend our wish is that you will enjoy family and friends, celebrate the contributions of NFBCO to the labor movement, and plan for our labors to come over the next few months. Happy Labor Day.

Note: we continue our work on national legislation that would end subminimum wage and bring greater opportunities for competitive employment, the Transformation to Competitive Employment Act, H.R. 873 in the House and S. 260 in the Senate.

On August 25, 2012 NFBCO and our allies picketed the Goodwill of Southern Colorado and Goodwill Denver. Our work brings change. In recent months, Goodwill Denver and Goodwill of Southern Colorado have merged. And, according to the United States Department of Labor this new entity no longer pays subminimum wages. Labor Day is a time of reflection and a time of celebration.

Bowling with Rails. A competitive sport and great fun for blind Coloradoans.

After a day of labor, enjoy a good game of bowling with blind friends and colleagues at the Crown Lanes, Iliff and Federal, in Denver. The group meets weekly beginning Saturday morning September 7 at 11:30. There are 11 teams with 3 bowlers on each team. Monique says, “we are a little competitive, just a little. But it is all about the fun.” Contact Monique for information, email mmelton@cocenter.org for all of the dets. Historically, bowling is a sport with long-standing appeal. Blind leagues are available in many cities across the nation.

Not Fantasy Football at all.  It is a survivor pool and it is much less work than Fantasy Football.

Colorado Association of Blind Students fundraiser football survivor pool is back! For details contact Lisa Bonderson or Cody Bair. Cost to enter is only $20.

iPhone training in Boulder.

Maryann Migliorelli provides the following timely announcement. Go Boulder! Double tap this.

Are you looking for new and better ways to use your iPhone?

Are you a new or longtime user looking for some basic tips and tricks?

If you are a blind or low vision iPhone user who says “Yes,” to these questions,

The National Federation of the Blind Boulder Valley Chapter has

the perfect FREE class for you.

September 7, from Noon to 2:00 pm

Boulder Public Library Main Branch

1001 Arapaho Avenue in the Boulder Creek Room

The first hour will be devoted to new users with one-on-one assistance from more experienced participants.

The second hour will focus on best practices, apps, and preferred accessories.

Have questions or need directions to the class?

Please contact Maryann Migliorelli at 720-284-2318

or email maryannmigs@gmail.com.

Big news about Goalball from CSDB.

Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind Bulldogs will broadcast the big game against the New Mexico School for the Blind Saturday morning, September 7. Hear the games on the CSDB YouTube channel. Let the games begin at 8:30 a.m. Join the festivities at the school or online.

We will serve no wine until it is time. The time to participate in this wonderful wine tasting-fundraising experience with the North Metro Chapter is the evening of September 28. Time is running short for your RSVP by September 21.

Reminder! The Wine Tasting Event is on Saturday, September 28 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Spero Winery located at 3316 W. 64th Avenue in Denver.  Tickets are only $50 which includes dinner, dessert, and plenty of wine tasting.  There will also be chances to win excellent door prizes.
For more information call Jon Deden 303-722-2529.  Please RSVP by September 21.

Reminder. Proposals for NFBCO State Convention workshops are due September 6.

For information contact Jessica Beecham. Share your passion, knowledge, expertise, and energy with the blind of Colorado.

Big congratulations to Colorado Center for the Blind Seniors Program, working on the Western Slope to empower blind and low vision seniors to live the lives they want.

The week of August 26, Director of CCB services Duncan Larson, along with Executive Director Julie Deden, and CCB Public Relations Manager Dan Burke presented training in the alternative techniques of blindness at the Center for Independence in Grand Junction. They also spent time with our Western Slope chapter leaders. Read more about our expanding programs for seniors in upcoming blogs.

Register now! Register now! It’s not too early to make your plans and register for the Fort Collins NFBCO State Convention.