Writer, aggregator Kevan Worley.Contributing editor Dan Burke.
Here is what you need to know
A Fountain
of Challenge and Success: Founders Honored in Baltimore McGeorge Living Room! By
Dan Burke.
On a recent visit to
the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, Center Director Julie
Deden and I were able to preview the new McGeorge Living Room at the NFB’s
headquarters. It is a comfortable, couch-bestrewn space with a fireplace in the
center of the room. From one corner comes the soothing sound of trickling
water. It’s the lovely fountain shown in the photo, a Rocky Mountain accent in
the heart of Baltimore. The new living room will be dedicated today (NOTE: dedicated
on December 5) to Diane and Ray McGeorge for their decades of tireless
commitment to creating positive change in the training, opportunities, and
fundamental rights of blind Americans, and certainly blind Coloradans. Diane,
as president of the NFB of Colorado for nearly 30 years, founded the Colorado
Center for the Blind in 1988, with the unwavering support of her late husband
Ray beside her. Though not a precise replica, this sculptor’s rendition pays
honor to one that Ray built in the McGeorge back yard on Steele Street in
Denver. For several generations of visiting leaders of the National Federation
of the Blind, and especially blind Coloradans and Center students, Ray’s
fountain evokes warm evenings on the deck as guests of Diane and Ray, basking
in the warmth of their hospitality, their love, and mentorship. Of course,
Julie was one of those people, as was National Federation of the Blind
President Mark Riccobono, a graduate of the Colorado Center for the Blind. …
Note, present from
Colorado for the unveiling was NFBCO President Scott LaBarre, CCB Seniors
Program Director Duncan Larson, and the honoree herself, Mrs. Diane McGeorge.
Did you know the National Federation of the Blind Has an Official Music Video?
We do. The video, unveiled
in 2015, makes for a joyful noise perfect for any holiday gathering. “Live the life you want.”
We hope you will find the joy in your family and friends throughout the
holidays.
Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind Rockin’ In the Holidays.
The 2019 Winter
Program at CSDB is Tuesday, December 17, at 6:30 p.m. Join students, faculty,
parents, grades 6-12 for a rockin’ good start to the holidays in the Gottlieb
Auditorium.
National Federation of the Blind Applauds Introduction of AIM High Act. Legislation Will Promote Equal Access to Higher Education for People with Disabilities.
The National
Federation of the Blind commends Congressman Phil Roe (R-TN) and Congressman
Joe Courtney (D-CT) for introducing the Accessible Instructional Materials in
Higher Education Act, also known as the AIM HIGH Act (H.R. 5312). This legislation will promote
instructional technology and content that are accessible to the blind and other
students with print disabilities.
“This legislation
is critically important to all blind students and to me personally, as the
father of three children, two of whom are blind,” said Mark Riccobono,
President of the National Federation of the Blind. “This issue has been ignored
for too long. Blind Americans applaud Representatives Roe and Courtney for
their support of this market-based approach to encouraging technology
innovations to be born accessible, thus allowing all students an equal
opportunity for educational excellence.”
On Friday
evening, December 13th, Colorado Association of Blind Students will
meet to discuss ways to ensure that our Congressional Colorado delegation join
the effort to bring equality of opportunity to higher education. Students can
join the meeting at 7 p.m. by logging into zoom. For information on how to use this app for the
call feel free to get in touch with Cindy Coffin, cindy.coffin80@gmail.com.
Grand Valley Chapter Reads the Way with Support from Barnes and Noble.
Many NFB chapters
earn cash to fund local programs by wrapping gifts at Barns and Noble
locations. This holiday season, due to the generous support of the Grand Junction Barnes and Noble, our local chapter held a bookfair. The chapter received a
percentage of sales on the day of the bookfair, December 10. Chapter members
wrapped gifts and visited with holiday book shoppers about the gift of literacy
made possible through their donations to the National Federation of the Blind
of Colorado. The chapter raised more than $600. Good going Grand Valley!
Colorado Association of Guide Dog Users, COAGDU, Chooses Leadership Team for 2020.
Divisions of NFBCO
typically elect board members at State Convention. Pledging to build our
Federation by meeting the needs and aspirations of guide dog handlers, the
following board members were elected to serve for 2020:
President: Kevan Worley
Vice President:
ReNae Anderson
Secretary: Marty
Rahn
Treasurer:
Marianne Migliorelli
Board members:
Paul Sandoval, Maureen Nietfeld, Libby Mullner, Melissa Green.
Melissa Green served
as President of the group for many years. She agreed to stay on the board.
COAGDU will
launch a project in early January to educate and assist guide dog handlers with
the reporting of their rideshare experiences to the National Federation of the
Blind. Uber and Lyft Survey:
The National Federation of the Blind is seeking feedback from Uber and Lyft
customers who have service animals or who travel with individuals with service
animals. Testers can be NFB members or non-members, and we welcome completed
surveys on both positive and negative rideshare experiences.
If your division
elected officers at the 2020 State Convention, please send election results to
your aggregator so we can let the world know who is providing the leadership in
your division.
Braille Readers are Leaders!
There is still time
to register and read for cash prizes. How about a little reading over your
Christmas vacay? Teachers, parents, you are encouraged to sign up your future
leaders. My time to write about this item is brief. I do not want to riff much
more on this. But you know what they say? “Reading
is Fundamental.” Different
program. But true. And no less true for folks who use Braille.
During our last
contest year, we had 4 Colorado participants. The American Action Fund for
Blind Children and Adults invites Braille readers of all levels and all ages to
take part. Sign up through the AAF website and enjoy a book or two this holiday season!
Extra! Extra! Read Your Holiday Ads On NFB-Newsline®!
Did you know that
Target and Wal-Mart store circulars for your area are available on NFB-Newsline®?
Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Supports NFBCO Effort to Stabilize and Expand Blindness and Low Vision Services Unit.
On December 6,
leaders of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado and other stakeholders
met with the Director of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, DVR, Kristin
Corash and her policy team. The meeting was to discuss changes in State rules
that govern the Blindness and Low Vision Services, BLVS, unit. We applaud the
Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, for listening to consumers and taking
appropriate action. The first 4 years of a dedicated unit within DVR that
provides training, adjustment to blindness, and job placement services to
Colorado residents who are legally blind has been as successful as we in the
NFBCO said it would be. When we visit with members of the General Assembly,
policy makers, and service providers we have always asserted that best outcomes
are most cost-effectively provided by staff with training and expertise
specific to the population being served. Imagine that. Statistics and
subjective observations clearly show that enshrining the BLVS unit in rule is
the logical next step. The new rule will give the department and stakeholders a
framework to serve even more people across the state of Colorado. Even with the
successes demonstrated by the 4-year-old unit there are still blind people in
large parts of Colorado who do not receive vocational services from a professional
of the BLVS unit. The contemplated rule will make expansion a possibility. It
also means that this specialized unit is available as a resource for all
counselors who have a general caseload but are providing services to blind
clients outside of the BLVS units geographical service area.
Party, Party, Party.
It’s that time of
year when chapters enjoy holiday parties. You are cordially invited to join our
Greeley family at noon Saturday, December 14, at 3 Margaritas, located at the
Greeley Mall.
Santa Clause joins
the Denver Metro party Saturday morning, the 14th, 10 a.m. at CCB.
Colorado Springs
chapter will party, complete with their traditional white elephant gift
exchange, Saturday, December 23, from noon to 3 p.m. at Old Chicago at Austin
Bluffs and Academy. White elephant gift exchange items of $10 or less.
A Tisket. A Tasket. A Great Holiday Basket and It Could Be All Yours.
A $5 raffle ticket
puts you in the December 21st Springs Chapter drawing. We will pick
one winning ticket and you do not have to be at the party to win. The basket is
overflowing with coupons from Chick-Fil-A, elderberry syrup, truffles, candles,
and a $50 gift certificate for Springs Orleans. Chapter raffle chair Joanne
Franklin says this basket is at least a $150 value. Purchase your tickets now
by calling Joanne 719-464-4864, or email. Your aggregator also has tickets. Reach me
at 303-929-2369. We would be happy to fill out your ticket and collect your $20
for 4 tickets when we see you next. Good luck!
What Does “Live the Life You Want” Mean to You.
We want to hear your
perspective. A distinguished panel of highly educated judges will not be
judging your comments. This is about what you think. Please share your stories
and opinions. We! Want! To hear from you!
Power Packed Monitor Has Information You Need to Know!
Get all of the details
about February’s Washington Seminar. Learn everything you need to know about
Social Security benefits for 2020. And, believe it or not, get all the
information about our 2020 National Convention all in the December Monitor.
People, policy, perspective. That is our Braille Monitor.
Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind Job Opening.
We have received the
following announcement from Doula Jarboe, President Colorado Association of the
DeafBlind.
Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of
Hearing and DeafBlind, CCDHHDB, Job Opening Applicants are sought for the
Outreach Consultant — Deafblind Specialty position. This position will design
strategy, systems, processes, guidelines, rules, and standards that are mission
critical and directly impact the agency's ongoing operation and broad program.
The role will be a staff authority related to deafblind beyond the immediate
supervisor, with direct influence, and impact agency-wide, including
consumers/clients.
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