Blind CO Blog

Writer, aggregator Kevan Worley. Contributing editor Dan Burke.

Here is what you need to know

Kicking Off the 2019-2020 FAST Program this Friday! by Dan Burke.

“FAST” stands for Fun Activities & Skills Training, which is our monthly school-year program directed at blind youth and their families. FAST activities will occur on either the second Friday evening or second Saturday of each month.

Back to School: Setting goals, seeing progress, and finding success!

Who? Blind students of all ages and their families.

What? CCB’s FAST Program.

Where? Colorado Center for the Blind, 2233 W. Shepperd Ave. Littleton CO, 80120

When? Friday September 13, 2019 from 5- 7:30 PM.

Join us for a fun and informative Friday night of pizza and an array of talking points that will focus on your success both inside and outside of the classroom. We will share tips and tricks for navigating the challenges that come with being a student in today’s academic landscape. We will also discuss resources and programs that are available to you as a blind student. All ages are welcome. We will have age-focused breakout sessions.

To RSVP or for more information, please contact Martin Becerra-Miranda at mbecerra@cocenter.org or at (303)778-1130 Ext: 223.

Holly Scott-Gardner tells it like it is.

Celebrating all of our Colorado Center for the Blind programs through the stories of real people. That is one of the things that gives us real joy. We hope you will read this delightful and inspiring story. Holly Scott-Gardner is a student at CCB. She told her story at an August 10, 2019 Pacific Regional conference of the National Association of Blind Students, NABS.

“So, I am going to talk about my experiences at an NFB training center. But in order to really explain how this training has impacted my life and will impact my life once I graduate, I think I kind of have to tell you all where I came from, because where I came from is not what you see me doing today. …”

Should I take the kids to Convention?

NFBCO State Convention is coming Halloween weekend at the Fort Collins Hilton. Convention can be a great family time and there is always childcare. Convention is particularly fun and empowering for blind kiddos. It’s a great place for them to go and completely be themselves. We want your children, blind or sighted, to live the lives they want. Get involved in our NFBCO family; join us in Fort Collins and, hey, bring your kids.

If you’re in the Springs Saturday morning, the Garden Ranch Y is the place to be.

The Colorado Springs chapter will be holding the September chapter meeting this coming Saturday morning, September 14. It is a fact that we will meet at our usual idyllic location at the Garden Ranch YMCA. We gather for networking and laughs at around 9:30. President Jeanette Fortin brings down her mighty gavel at 10. We are usually done a bit before noon. Spread the word, invite buddies, your presence is requested. The highlight of this coming meeting will be presentation of membership coins. It is always fun to induct new members into the movement. Of course, we will be talking about state convention and other matters. Please let us know if you need a babysitter. I think folks on iHeart’s Breakfast Club are available.

Do you have your NFB membership coin? by Kevan Worley.

Many chapters are using our new membership coin as a part of their member induction ceremonies. NFB history shows that the membership card held an important place in the hearts and minds of past Federationists. What tangible benefits do you think should attach to our membership coins? Discounts on products and services? What about savings at our auctions or fundraising events? Of course, the coin is your tangible token of appreciation from your Federation colleagues. The coin also is an expression of your commitment to our movement.

So, carry your coin with pride. I do.
In fact, some of us engage in the coin challenge tradition. The coin challenge tradition has often been observed in the military. If I walk up to my good friend Melissa Fishburn or Brian Smith or Joanne Hunt Franklin and drop my coin on the table, “clink”, they better have their coins, or they owe me a sarsaparilla. But if they drop their coin on the table in answer to the challenge, “clink”, I owe them. So, ask your chapter president for your very own NFB membership coin.

Surely the blind can’t babysit? Just ask the Breakfast Club. by Kevan Worley.

What dribble, what dribble! Dribble that injures, denigrates, and harms. Dribble that disparages and demeans. The Breakfast Club is not your typical goofy, vulgar, and outrageous morning radio show. Syndicated to many stations nationwide, the Breakfast Club doesn't take itself too seriously. They usually have a good time without insulting and disparaging people. (Some of the language is a bit raw for my listening taste.) Typically, these guys are not mean-spirited, ignorant jocks. This is so except for last week’s program. These uninformed radio personalities were mocking and condescending to a young blind girl who called to express her annoyance and sadness about the fact that sighted parents would not hire blind teens to babysit. They humiliated this young sister. When I heard it, I cringed and cried for her. AND THEN they added insult to injury by continuing to mock and denigrate blind teens and blind parents. They urged other callers to weigh in, encouraging rude, unkind, ignorant conversation. These jokers made an entire class of people the brunt of their jokes. 

I am a blind parent who has raised two kids. One is a successful cosmetologist in high demand by her clients in Columbia, MO. She has given us a beautiful granddaughter, who is now 2. Note: I enjoy playing with baby Finley unsupervised. My other grown child also happens to be blind. He just finished law school. I am confident he will someday safely raise his own children.
This program was mean spirited. It perpetuated the myths and misconception that lack of sight means lack of capacity. This is abhorrent. We should demand equal time on the Breakfast Club. Note, the National Federation of the Blind has a forward looking, powerful, message for blind parents.

The Wonder of Underpasses, by Judy Mares-Dixon, Boulder Colorado.

This intriguing article was sent to us by Maryann Migliorelli, President, NFBCO Boulder chapter. Judy Mares-Dixon is a coin-carrying member of NFBCO. She is owner of Mares-Dixon & Associates; has worked in the conflict resolution field since 1986 as a trainer, mediator, coach, facilitator, consultant, and dispute resolution systems designer. Enjoy her delightful piece.

“Jim Wolcott, a longtime member of the National Federation of the Blind, Boulder Colorado Chapter, is an expert on transportation options and opportunities for blind and visually impaired People. He is familiar with all the bus routes serving Boulder County and the entire Denver Metro Area. More importantly, in my opinion, he is familiar with the vast number of underpasses in and around the City of Boulder that provide us with a much safer and less stressful way to navigate busy intersections.

He has spent over six hours with Amelia Dickerson, a blind friend, and I exploring major underpasses. I say major because when Boulder constructs underpasses, they do it with flare, style and complexity. Jim enthusiastically points out the art that covers the walls in the underpasses which is just spectacular, not to mention creative. It is very tactile and really fun to explore. There are fish, butterflies, buffalo, flowers and many abstract shapes.

I learned how to use two underpasses on 28th street which is wonderful because it is a very busy, high speed, five-lane road. We also explored several underpasses surrounding the intersection of Broadway and Baseline which is also extremely congested. The new underpasses are anything but straightforward. There are several stairways and side paths that go under the roads and are designed to access the beautiful walking/biking paths which run through the City.

The best part of this experience is Jim's approach. He is very conscientious, making sure that we understand the layout of the underpass and the location of the nearby bus stops. He is lots of fun and very generous with his time. Boulder has approximately eighty underpasses and I am eager to spend more time learning about them from Jim, my friend and heroic teacher.”

Cooper Smith’s Pub in Fort Collins is the place to meet. Read the dets about the September 24 happy hour event for the Poudre Valley.

As we ready for another high-power NFBCO State Convention, we are gathering up our friends, families, colleagues, and acquaintances for an NFB style meet-up. Let’s enjoy a beverage and a bite. Join us September 24 anytime you want to show up between 5ish and 7ish. You will enjoy Federation fellowship. You do not have to be an NFBCO member to meet up. In fact, we look forward to meeting all Poudre Valley people who are blind and professionals in the field of blindness. Bring the kids, bring the dogs, bring your wallet, bring your buddies. See you there. 5 Old Town Square, Fort Collins, CO 80524.

Pipi’s Place.

In recent months, Business Enterprise Program of Colorado welcomed several new concessions operators. Our colleague, Pipi Adams, member of our Denver chapter is the latest to receive her license. A single mom with many interests, Pipi joins 23 licensed bread-winning entrepreneurs licensed for Randolph-Sheppard in Colorado.
Pipi’s Place does business from a micro-market vending café from the IVC Federal buildings in Denver metro. Those who know Pipi know that one of Pipi’s passions is cooking. Well then, this is perfect for Pipi. Congratulations sister!

Colorado School for Deaf and Blind has openings for paraprofessionals.

Learn more about these exciting, fulfilling opportunities, contact human resources at CSDB, 719-578-2115.