Blind CO Blog

Writer, aggregator Kevan Worley. 

Contributing editor Dan Burke.

Here is what you need to know

Onyx, Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation

Celebrating National Guide Dog Month.
In this month’s release from our National President Mark Riccobono, he made mention of National Guide Dog Month. We in the Federation celebrate those canine companions that enhance opportunities for many blind people to live the lives they want. In 2009 National Guide Dog Month was established to benefit the non-profit guide dogs schools accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation. We salute the dogs, and we compliment blind handlers who work every day to nurture, train, and groom their buddies to be the best they can be. We salute the breeders, puppy raisers, trainers, kennel workers, administrators, and the thousands of donors who make it possible for guide dogs to be of service. And serve they do!

Oh My Aching Back: Posture, Travel, Wellness.
Traveling with a cane or teaming with a guide dog takes a toll on our bodies and affects our lifestyle, posture, and overall health. How does exercise, massage, chiropractic, and proper travel technique apply to you? Experts, interactive live demonstrations, and personal consultations will be the focus of a 90-minute workshop on Friday afternoon, November 1 at the NFBCO State Convention in Fort Collins, presented by Canines and Canes, Colorado Association of Guide Dog Users, and WE Fit Wellness. In the NFB, we describe, demonstrate, teach, and mentor to bring practical solutions for living the life you want. That’s really the nature of independence. Note, one of the tenets of National Federation of the Blind philosophy was communicated to us by Dr. Kenneth Jernigan in his 1993 banquet address, the Nature of Independence.

Uno, Guiding Eyes for the Blind

Here is stuff you will want to know.

• Wild West Chapter Meet Up: Friday night, September 20 at Blind Faith Brewery, 2842 West Bowles Ave in Littleton, starting at 5:00 p.m. Our Wild West Chapter colleague and Business Enterprise Operator Nate Hecker says, “It is our way of saying thanks, and giving support back to this establishment. They were sponsors two years in a row for the 6 Dot Dash 5k. The food truck there will be Michigan Colorado chefs.”
• Denver Chapter monthly meeting and gambling adventure happens this Saturday, September 21st at the Colorado Center for the Blind.  Folks meet for coffee, donuts, and business meeting at 10. The gamblers head to Blackhawk at around 12:15. Cost for Blackhawk trip is only $15! Check to see if seats are still available, email Brittany Savage.
• 3 Margaritas is the place to join our Greeley chapter Saturday afternoon September 21^st at noon.
• Here is a notice that we ran in a recent blog, but your aggregator deems it so important that we must run it again. Read and find the joy.
  
  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.
• Colorado Springs Chapter reports that the city blind meet up grows in popularity. Fun for everyone, this Tuesday evening between 5 and 7 at Springs Orleans 123 East Pikes Peak.
• There is still time for you and your friends to reserve your space for the Spero’s wine tasting event. Saturday evening, September 28. This is an annual fundraiser for the North Metro Chapter. For cost and all ticket information contact Jon Deden, 303-722-2529.

The Blind History Lady.
From time to time, we post articles and observations from Peggy Chong. Did you know the Blind History Lady has books that detail and celebrate our blind ancestors available at https://www.smashwords.com/books/byseries/24325.

If you were there, relive! If you weren’t, you will want to read the outstanding summary of our recent National Convention by Gary Wunder.
Find it now in the August-September double issue of the Braille Monitor. No one captures the feeling, festivities, fun, and import of convention like the Editor of the Braille Monitor does in his convention round-up. Find it now on NFB Newline or read online.

Onyx, Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation

Making Security Inclusive. by Jerry Geis.
In the wake of frequent natural disasters and these horrendous mass shootings, safety, and security must be a priority for everyone. I am guessing that most of us haven’t thought as much about it for home and workplace as we should. How does a deaf, hard of hearing, or a legally blind individual receive instructions and take appropriate action in the event of an emergency? It turns out, our own CSDB is leading the way to ensure that those with sensory disabilities are not left behind. We received this article by Jerry Geis from Diane Taylor at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind (CSDB):

Imagine a crisis hits right where you are: a natural disaster, active shooting, gas leak or other emergency that puts you at risk for harm. You notice the commotion around you, but can’t figure out what is going on, or what to do. It’s a scenario blind, deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences know well—segments that are particularly vulnerable and underserved during emergencies.

How do you deliver time-sensitive instructions to audiences who may not see, hear or understand routine communication formats? What’s more, how do you do so instantly when people under your care have just moments to react? Leaders at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB) and their counterparts at the American School for the Deaf (ASD) have found uncommon ways to tackle this predicament, leveraging tools they already had. …

Participants with low vision needed for research study on the impact of contrast in interior design.
This caught the ear of your Blind CO blog aggregator. I have always been interested in architecture and design. Many of us have become fascinated with ways in which people who are legally blind can comprehend, experience, and enjoy art, décor, and design. You, dear reader, might recall a presentation at our 2014 National Convention from Christopher Downey, a blind architect from San Francisco. We thought you might enjoy listening to the audio from his presentation at the 2014 convention, he is introduced by Dr. Marc Maurer. He was also featured on a 60 Minutes piece last year. In addition, we are fortunate to have a tactile arts club at the Colorado Center for the Blind. (This club next will meet on White Cane Awareness Day at the CCB Tuesday, October 15 at 6 p.m. in the art room.) The American Action Fund for blind children and adults has been researching and beta testing various methods that will allow blind kids to appreciate and create art. NFBCO member and long-time teacher of blind students, Trina Boyd, has designed and published books with raised, detailed pictures for elementary school children. And, of course, our own expert and enthusiast Ann Cunningham has led the way as an artist and teacher for almost a generation. It is with that background that we call to your attention a study being conducted at Mississippi State University (note, you should know that the only art I have ever been able to make was in 2^nd grade making a Christmas tree using a Perkins Braille writer.):

To be eligible for this study, participants must:

·         Have a low-vision diagnosis. 

·         Be over age 18

·         Live in the U.S.

My name is Lauren Ashley Hughes, and I am a visiting Assistant Professor at Mississippi State and a graduate student at the Ball State University. I am conducting an online study investigating how contrast in the interior environment can affect a low-vision person’s perception of the environment and their behavior within that environment.

This study consists of an online survey, which should take you less than fifteen minutes to complete. Your willingness to participate in the survey will allow interior designers and architects to learn how to design the built environment to accommodate the low-vision population more effectively in the future.

For more information feel free to contact Lauren Ashley Hughes at 662-386-4887 or by email ahughes@caad.msstate.edu.

Prada and Onyx, Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation

Forward, Always Forward!
Live the Life you want!