November Blind Coloradan

 

Blind Coloradoan Blog

November 18, 2022

Writer, Aggregator: Kevan Worley.
Contributors: Dan Burke & Erin Daley. With assistance from Lisa Bonderson, National Federation Of The Blind Of Colorado, and President, Jessica Beecham. Email, jbbeecham@gmail.com

Here is what you need to know

The 68th convention of The National Federation of the Blind Of Colorado found Jessica Beecham presiding. This was her first convention serving as our president.  Here Dan Burke captured President Beecham as she brought down the gavel to adjourn what was, by all accounts, a tremendously successful state convention.

The Greeley convention featured informative, entertaining content appealing to many blind and low-vision community segments. There were sessions of importance to families and professionals working in the education and rehabilitation field. Activities ranged from martial arts to education, the division of vocational rehabilitation, tactile graphics, and the urgent need for a variety of improvements in more accessible transportation for the blind across the state. National representative Ever Lee Hairston, California, during the banquet, gave a soul-stirring address. Earlier in the day, she provided a robust report on the various initiatives undertaken by the National Center for the Blind, The Jernigan Institute, and federation affiliates.

Jessica Beecham’s inaugural presidential report hinged on The National Federation of the Blind's brand values as she recounted our membership's successes, challenges, and efforts. The report was informative and energizing. We will be posting items from the report in future blogs.

Members of the organization adopted four resolutions. These were powerful policy statements designed to further inform our work in the months and years ahead. (Note, the complete text of our resolutions will be posted to our website soon distributed to the appropriate authorities and organizations end note) Resolution 22-01 Regarding Inappropriate Use of DVR’s Training Justification Form, Resolution 22-01 Regarding funding from the general assembly to enhance the viability of Colorado’s Business Enterprise Program, Resolution 22-03 Regarding safety hazards posed by electric scooters, and Resolution 22-04 Regarding the use of ride share services with paratransit.

One of the highlights of this year’s federation family reunion found groups of members dining at various restaurants downtown. Breaking bread brings family together. Maureen Nietfeld brought this to life. Members were encouraged to RSVP in advance to group leaders. These leaders were assigned specific restaurants. JJ Aragon, Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant. Cody Bair & Nate Hecker, The G.O.A.T. Sports Bar. Julie Deden, Dan Burke & Scott LaBarre, Santeramo’s Pizza House. ReNae Anderson & Sandy Schleich, Lunas Tacos and Tequila. Brett Boyer & Eliza Portugal, The Annex at WeldWerks. Gary Van Dorn & Maryanne Migliorelli, Meeker’s, A Colorado Kitchen (hotel restaurant).

There is much more to report about our 68^th convention. The great support from our Greeley Chapter. At the banquet, we heard beautiful and compelling poetry from author Jo Elizabeth Pinto. The diversity of door prizes and auction items added some extra spice. Special thanks goes to our door prize and hunter-gathers Brenda and Rodney Tashiro. We extend a thank you to all of our presenters, sponsors, and contributors. Putting together a successful convention is a testament to our love, spirit, and advocacy. Like the organized blind movement itself. It’s individual actions collectively focused.

President Beecham reports that our 69^th convention will be held at the Denver South Marriot at Park Meadows on October 26, 27, 28, and 29.

 

Colorado Center for the Blind Part of Colorado Gives Day, Dec. 6!

Dear reader, urgent action is required. As you know, the chief program of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado is our very own life-changing work being done at our Colorado Center for the Blind.

Once again, the Colorado Center for the Blind is part of Colorado Gives Day, Colorado’s biggest giving event of the year! Last year, by the way, was our biggest year yet with Colorado Gives Day, and we are hopeful this year will be even better!

Why Colorado Gives Day? Because there is a $1 Million Incentive Fund, and we receive a percentage of that fund based on our percentage of the overall giving on Dec. 6. But you can schedule your giving right now, and have it roll over on Dec. 6. All of this can be done at https://www.coloradogives.org/donate/CoCenter

And pass it along that the Colorado Gives Day is a great place to put part of your giving budget this year!

 

Holdens honored with the Raymond W McGeorge Award

From the aggregator: Please allow me a personal reflection. One of the high points of my life was when my late wife Bridget and I were presented the Raymond W McGeorge award in 2014. It is an honor to be considered in the same class as our Aurora Chapter members and Senior leaders, Dale and Edith Holden. Ray McGeorge was the first president of this affiliate. He, along with his wife and current state board member Diane McGeorge was the founder, the builder, the heart and soul of The National Federation of the Blind of Colorado. His leadership was steady, firm, and loving. There has been no better representative of our movement in Colorado than Raymond W McGeorge. I was contemplating what to write about this year’s honorees. Then I received a response to my query on Colorado Talk asking for convention reflections. As usual, the Holdens responded. Here is what they have to say in tribute.

Greetings to The National Federation of the Blind of Colorado:

The Holdens would like to extend a great big thank you to the National Federation of the blind of Colorado and all of their members for honoring us with the Raymond W McGeorge award. This was not expected and was a huge surprise to both of us. We want to extend our appreciation and gratefulness to all who had their fingers in that presentation and selection. As said during the presentation, Edith went to the Colorado Center for the Blind by herself for the first time because I was too proud and in denial or just didn’t believe that it would help me. When the second week came up, I think I beat her to the car because I did want to go and learn because it sounded like I really did need the learning. Over the past 13 years, we have attended a lot of senior support meetings, state conventions, and I did participate for two years in the seniors in charge program. We have also participated in National Conventions.  I could not believe how many blind people would go to those meetings, but I do now, and I do respect the need to be there. I would like to extend one more thank you to everybody and wish you all the ability to Live the Life You Want because that is what we are doing!  We love each and every one of you.

 Edith and Dale Holden

 

Blind History lady to participate as Zoom room exhibitor at upcoming Accessible Pharmacy event

From the aggregator: We received the following from Peggy Chong

Friday, December 2, 2022, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern Time

The Blind History Lady will have a Zoom Room to talk about the importance to our mental health in knowing the history of blindness. Come listen to her stories and ask questions.

Are you losing your sight and think no blind person has ever been employed in your field? You might be surprised.

 To register to attend and check out our booth, please visit:

https://www.accessiblepharmacy.com/blind-health-expo/

 

Chip send off from CCB

From Dan Burke

As those of us who were at the convention or were Zoomed in heard, Chip Johnson is retiring from the Colorado Center for the Blind as of Dec. 16. Chip has been teaching Technology at CCB since 2000, so he’s taught twenty-two years of students, and that comes to a lot of students! The Center has planned two send-off parties – one will be in person on Dec. 2 from 5 to 9 p.m. We’ll be serving dinner, so an RSVP will be required.

The second will be a Zoom event on Tuesday, Dec. 6. Look for announcements of both in the next couple of days which will include links to RSVP for the in-person event, and the Zoom info for Dec. 6.

 

Pizza, Pumpkin Pies, and Parents

By: Chaz Davis

From the aggregator: Blind and low-vision children need friends who are like them. Young people with whom they can just have fun and bounce ideas and techniques for success and social life. Parents and siblings of blind youth benefit from building relationships with other families. As we have just concluded a very successful state convention, we move forward with all of our dynamic activities. Chaz Davis facilitates much of this work at our Colorado Center for the Blind with the support of our Denver chapter. We received the following from Chaz. We hope you will take note, sign up and share with other teachers and families.

Join us at the Colorado Center for the Blind for an afternoon of pizza, Thanksgiving dessert-making, and other fun activities (like eating the pies)!

When: Saturday, November 19, 2022, from 12:00 PM-4:00 PM

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

What: Blind young people, parents of blind children, and volunteer assistants from the community will have the opportunity to dine on some pizza, prepare desserts in the kitchen, and take part in some fun activities. The event will occur after the NFB of Denver Chapter meeting, which all are invited to attend starting at 10:00 a.m.

After a lunch of pizza to get ourselves fueled up for the afternoon's activities. Blind youth and family members will have the option of preparing and baking homemade apple crisp, pumpkin pie, or pecan pie. Attendees will learn some of the fundamentals of successfully working in the kitchen as a blind person. Everyone, blind or sighted and will be able to use learning shades while working in the kitchen to reinforce the understanding of non-visual techniques and concepts. It's a great way for everyone in the family to learn some of the nonvisual tricks that thousands of blind adults use every day to live successful, independent lives!

For parents: Other parents are one of the most critical resources you can learn about, not to mention to learn from! Amira Lucas, the president of the Colorado Organization of Parents of Blind Children [COPBC], will hold a meeting for existing and prospective members during this event. If you are a parent of a blind child and are interested in receiving helpful resources, becoming more involved in the community, potentially joining/becoming more active in the organization, or just looking for other parents to talk to, we encourage you to RSVP for this fun, informative event!

https://cocenter.org/civicrm/event/register/?id=101&reset=1

Have you liked our Facebook page? Please do! Like, read, respond and share.

https://www.facebook.com/National-Federation-of-the-Blind-of-Colorado-NFB-CO-326986067377559

 

It's time for the tactile art show with CCB and students at Arapahoe Community College!

From Dan Burke

Art created by students from the Colorado Center for the Blind and ACC art students now through December 6

The Colorado Gallery of the Arts, located on the first floor of the ACC Annex building on the Littleton Campus.

 

Ann Cunningham receives Everest Award

By Kevan Worley

Many a blind child, adult CCB Center students, federation members and national leaders have enjoyed this amazing piece of tactile art. Ann Cunningham painstakingly researched and made this extraordinary piece. It was unveiled at the Colorado Center for the Blind’s 25th-anniversary celebrations. Many fingers, heads, and hearts have enjoyed this beautiful rendering of Colorado’s Front Range.

If you read the above announcement, you know that our CCB students have collaborated with ACC art students. It is likely that this kind of artistic synergy between blind and sighted students would never have come to pass without our long-time artist/teacher in residence Ann Cunningham. A strong argument could be made that the most influential tactile artist, teacher, and innovator has been Ann Cunningham. At our recent state convention, Ann was honored with our NFBCO Everest Award. There is no doubt that Ann has inspired us to reach new heights and broaden our horizons. She has touched our spirits and inspired our creativity. More blind and non-blind people are learning that art can be made accessible and experienced by all. Hugs all around! Picture of Julie Deden, Executive director of Colorado Center for the Blind, and Everest honoree Ann Cunningham holding her plaque.

Auction raises almost $11,000 for NFBCO programs

With dozens of donated items on the auction block this year, we were treated to fun, drama, and fundraising success. Two of the most coveted items were the miniTREAD from Onthemuv. https://onthemuv.com/ And a gorgeous and practical tumbler set from Dot Shop.

NFB Congratulates the people of our reborn Fort Collins area chapter

We are excited to report that we have a new northern Colorado chapter. The effort is being led by long-time federation member Penn Street and Colorado State University student Robert Lamm. We look forward to reporting more about this energetic group in blogs to come.

 

Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind hold the annual White Cane Awareness Day Celebration

Again, this year, our friends at CSDB held a White Cane Awareness Day event in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs at Acacia Park. Children sang, the Bulldog Band played, and principal Jamie Lugo spoke of the importance of White Cane Awareness Day. This year there were sponsors to support the event, including the purchasing of hoodies for some who could not afford them. The hoodies read Explore, Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind, White Cane Awareness Day. The Downtown Lions Club, the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado, and Worley Enterprises were sponsors. The Colorado Springs community is proud of our school. NFBCO member Martin Becerra-Miranda serves with distinction on the CSDB board.

 

A thank you note from the president of the National Federation of the Blind

“Our success is due to the collective wisdom of our gathered community. The hearts and hands of our leaders, who have made personal sacrifices for the greater good, make all of the difference. I thank each and every one of you for pouring your energy and imagination into our organization. Your efforts make a huge difference, and I cannot thank you enough.”

Marc A. Riccobono

 

My back page

By Kevan Worley

I have enjoyed working with the team to put together our Blind Coloradan for several years. Occasionally I write an article. I recognize that often the philosophy of the federation provided in these posts often has your aggregator’s spin. But I often have more to say about the work we are doing. That won’t surprise any reader. In this issue, I announce My Back Page. This will be a regular column by me. It may be silly or sublime. It may be entertaining or controversial. Maybe all of the above. I hope it will be founded firmly on the philosophy of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado. It will focus on observations of our work and profiles of our people and partners. In this, my first back page column, I simply want to express thanks. Thanksgiving happens to be maybe my most favorite holiday. It’s a day set aside, in my judgment, simply to express gratitude. Of course, there is food, family, football, and travel. But for me, it’s a moment to express joy. Some who don’t know us have actually wondered out loud “how can you be thankful for life you are tragically blind.” We say with great gusto and zest for life. We can live the lives we want. We can get the training we need. We can work for change in the world. We can cook the turkey and enjoy the pie, and we can offer profound appreciation and a hearty thank you to our members and all the fellow travelers who make finding the joy possible. The family of the federation is truly a joyful thing for which I offer thanks. KW

Kevan Worley with German Sheppard Onyx stands in front of Colorado Springs City Hall on a sunny fall day.

 

September Blind Coloradan

 

Blind Coloradoan Blog

September 27, 2022

Writer, Aggregator: Kevan Worley.
Contributors: Dan Burke & Erin Daley. With assistance from Lisa Bonderson National Federation Of The Blind Of Colorado, President, Jessica Beecham. Email, jbbeecham@gmail.com

Here is what you need to know-

 

Registration is live!

Registration for state convention is open for you. We will be in Greeley together from the afternoon of October 27 thru the morning of October 30. Education, employment, guide dogs, library services, rehabilitation, goal ball, receptions, dance, the arts, a first-rate fundraising auction, door prizes, local chapter reports, technologies, martial arts, entrepreneurship, information for parents and families, communities of faith, spotlight on our Colorado Center for the Blind, and so very much more! All roads lead to Greeley! We welcome each of you to be a part of us. https://nfbco.org/civicrm/event/register?id=4&reset=1 This will be our first state convention presided over by Jessica Beecham. She says she and her team are planning a stellar convention. Dr. Kenneth Jernigan would say it will be a wap dollinger of a convention. Complete conference agenda to be posted soon.

 

NFBCO 6 Dot Dash, another huge success! State convention on the way. Big doings at the Colorado Center for the Blind and more.

You can tell fall is here. Yes. The mornings are getting cooler. Rainy days are upon us, and the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado is getting busy! Local chapters across the state are conducting public education activities as we celebrate Blindness, Achievement & Equality month in October. Our new Northern Colorado chapter, based in Fort Collins, has begun planning for concerted action to deal with the lack of public transportation options in their area. The chapter hopes to receive a charter of affiliation at the upcoming state convention. The National Federation of the Blind of Colorado put out a call for state convention presentations. We received nineteen proposals! Thus, ensuring some extraordinary and diverse content at the upcoming convention in Greeley, October 27-Sunday morning, October 30. You will not want to miss the convention. Long-time federation leader Ever Lee Hairston, have you read her book, will be our conventions national representative. Hairston is a noted civil rights leader, author, speaker, and grassroots organizer. She marched with Dr. King and will share her story and perspective on the empowering philosophy of the federation during her time with us at the convention. You will want to meet Ever Lee. She is a woman of grace and grit. The above are just a few of the fall happenings. There is much more! Read on!

 

NFB Colorado Springs Chapter to co-sponsor White Cane Awareness Day Celebration by Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind at Acacia Park

It has become a tradition. Students, staff, and supporters of Colorado's residential school for the blind gather in downtown Colorado Springs at noon to voice the aspirations of blind students and adults. The music and presentations by students and teachers call attention to the white cane as a symbol of safety, independence, school spirit, and a quest for equality of opportunity. This year the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado Springs, the Colorado Springs Downtown Lions Club, and Worley Enterprises is proud to serve as sponsors. We cordially invite the community to join us and honor these kids the day before the official White Cane Awareness Day. It is all a part of blind equality achievement month. We call attention to the principal of the blind school Jamie Lugo and her team for their imagination and energy. We thank them for nurturing the up-and-coming generation of people who are blind.

 

Going once, going twice, SOLD!

We often hear that our annual auction is one of your favorite parts of the convention. In recent years, your auctioneer has been the talented and energetic Maryann Migliorelli. She has gathered up all the items from members and chapters as she auctions the items throughout the convention. Gary Van Dorn, Kevin Kovacs, Lisa Bonderson, and others scurry about the convention hall collecting money. This year Maryann has decided to put her talent and energy elsewhere, leaving me, Kevan Worley, to be the auction chair. Our NFBCO auction is known for high-quality items. So, please, members and chapters, we are looking for your homemade items, donated merchandise, gift certificates, hotel stays, beautiful pieces of jewelry, and more. We know that there will be another Colorado Springs tourist package. We know that our Colorado Association of Blind Merchants president will help us earn some bread by donating one of her fabulous homemade bread baskets. We know that we have some Broncos and Avalanche paraphernalia up for bid. And Julie Nissen is donating an amazing Talnua Whiskey set. It's sure to be one of the highlights. Please contact me for further information at 303-929-2369 or kevan@nfbco.org. Note this is a huge part of our convention fundraising. We are looking for items to be at least $100 in value. The Colorado Center for the Blind students association is working to put together a few things that will be less expensive so that all may join in the fun.

 

Boo!

From the aggregator: Perhaps you have seen this from Denver Chapter President Blind Coloradan Co-pilot Dan Burke. This is some scary stuff. Read on! If you Dare!

Halloween Fun Fest!

October 15, 2022, at the Colorado Center for the Blind

Hosted by NFB Denver Chapter

Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 15, to join the Denver Chapter at the Colorado Center for the Blind for a Halloween Fun Fest!

We will have a short meeting from 11-12, followed by a spooky and fun-filled party from 12-3!

Costume contest! Come dressed in your best costume for our costume contest! Fun prizes for outstanding kids' costumes and cash prizes for the top adult costumes!

Food treats and pumpkin decorating! Let's not forget tasty food and even better, company to celebrate the season! Apple cider is a must, and we will have trick-or-treating and pumpkin decorating for the little ones and fun games for the grown-up children in the rest of us!

Halloween movie Hocus Pocus!

We will also have a Hocus Pocus screening during the party to put a spell on die-hard fans of the season.

Please RSVP to Erin Daley at daleyem@gmail.com by October 8 so that we can get a headcount. You don't want to miss this afternoon of fun with your federation friends and family!

 

Preservation of Historical Documents Project By Peggy Chong

From the aggregator: It's important that we call this to everyone's attention. For some, history is dry and daunting, but for many, history is exciting. One of the most exciting projects this affiliate has ever taken on is our Preservation of Historical Documents. The project has been led with earnestness by "the blind history lady" Peggy Chong. She has had the imagination and commitment to put together and lead an amazing group of volunteers sifting through documents, boxes, and piles. Finding ways to make these materials legible and organized is a task I can't imagine. But they have done it. As we contemplate a national museum in Baltimore highlighting the civil rights struggle of blind Americans through our stories in a completely accessible and interactive way, we can celebrate the work being accomplished by Peggy and her team. Here is what Peggy says about an upcoming celebration. 

October 14, 2022, 4-6 pm.

National Federation of the Blind of Colorado celebrates Preservation of Historical Documents Project

Colorado Center for the Blind at 2233 W. Shepperd Ave. Littleton

A celebration of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado's efforts to preserve long-forgotten records and memorabilia found in the basement of the Colorado Center for the Blind after a leaky pipe burst has been completed.

Records of the history of blind activities in Colorado, dating back to 1915, have been saved for anyone to read, research, and learn of the real-life stories of the blind in Colorado. More importantly, they are accessible to the blind!

Even in "Special Collections," this compilation of minutes, news articles, publications, and assorted files are unique. Nowhere is such a collection available documenting any disability group and its members. Organizational material from the United Workers for the Blind, The Colorado Federation of the Blind, The Denver Area Association for the Blind, and The National Federation of the Blind, are represented in this collection. News articles highlighting employment, special events, laws, and more weave a history of the struggles and triumphs of blind individuals and as a whole.

Through the Colorado Virtual Library and the Plains to Peaks Collective Service Hub, (PPC) of the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA), established to bring together the unique digital collections of the cultural heritage organizations within the states of Colorado and Wyoming, our blind history is preserved and readily accessible to all, including the blind! The DPLA website is a portal that allows visitors to discover and then go directly to the digital collection of the history of the Blind of Colorado.

Join us on October 14 to celebrate as we honor the dozens of volunteers who made this possible. Colorado Representative David Ortiz will address the group on the importance of knowing our history in the disability community. A gift of our collection will be presented to Nichole Chrissis of the Jacobus ten Broek Library in Baltimore, Maryland.

Tours of the Colorado Center for the Blind will be available at 3 pm. Please RSVP for your tour.

For more information, contact.

Peggy Chong

chongpeggy10@gmail.com

303-745-0473

 

Colorado Center for the Blind youth fall actives underway

From the aggregator: Anahit LaBarre directs our youth activities. She has truly done a fantastic job over this past year. From time to time, I receive a newsletter from her highlighting the program's accomplishments and upcoming activities. Here is one of the upcoming activities our families and blind kiddos should know about. I wish I could go with them.

A Day at NCAR in Boulder!

We're heading for the hills, or at least the foothills of Boulder, on Saturday, October 8, to learn about the atmosphere, weather, and climate at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, or NCAR. NCAR's educational staff is putting together a program with tactile materials so our students can explore and learn more about our climate, the changes it is undergoing, and what we can do about it. We will be in touch with exact details and a sign-up link.

 

Tech tips by Curtis Chong

From the aggregator: we frequently feature tech tips from our guru Curtis Chong. We were happy to receive this note just before posting this blog.

Drafts have been a feature in the iOS Mail app for a while, but many users aren't aware of this hidden gem. The feature (like its macOS Mail counterpart) allows users to stop composing an email, save it, and then return to the message later to send it. Let's see what's involved in using the drafts feature in all versions of iOS.

First, compose an email by performing these steps.

1.      Open Mail.

2.      Select (double tap for VoiceOver users) the Compose button.

3.      Start to fill out the subject and body of the message.

4.      To save the message as a draft, tap (double tap for VoiceOver users) the Cancel button, and then tap (double tap for VoiceOver users) Save Draft in the pop-up that appears. The message will disappear, but it will be saved in the Drafts folder.

To open a saved draft, tap and hold (single-finger triple tap for VoiceOver users) on the new message's Compose button in the toolbar (the same one you tapped to create a new message). A Drafts pop-up will appear.

In this view, you will see a listing of all available drafts that can be continued. To continue a draft, tap it (VoiceOver users, double tap it), and a new Compose view will open that has all of the message details filled in as you left them when saving. When you're finished composing the draft, select (double tap on) the Send button as normal to send the message to the recipient.

 

NFBCO 6 Dot Dash, another successful NFBCO event.

From the aggregator: First! And definitely, foremost, a huge thank you to all those who participated in any way in support of our 5^th annual dash! The staff and students at CCB and our planning and operations crew had a busy afternoon on September 9 before our September 10 dash. The forecasters said the rains were coming, and indeed they did. NFBCO president Jessica Beecham and her crew decided to move all activities indoors except for the dash itself. We are so fortunate to have this fantastic facility. By the morning of the race, everything had been reorganized. The marshalls were on the course. The food truck was on its way. The puppy kissing booth sponsored by Guiding Eyes was open. Volunteers were arriving. The donated beverages and snacks were on tables. Exhibitors were set to exhibit products and services. People were registering and picking up their race packets.

There was high energy and camaraderie in the air. Opening ceremonies we held in the CCB lunchroom. Later that morning, the blind beer tasting with products donated by our friends at Breckenridge Brewery would begin. At 8:45, state representative David Ortiz addressed the assemblage. After David’s inspiring remarks, many headed outside to a misty morning for the start of the dash. The weather may have been poor, but the federation's philosophy and spirit of volunteerism were rich with excitement and possibility. I am told we plan to have another NFBCO 6 Dot Dash next year. By the way, the food truck had amazing burritos, tacos, and fiesta fries. And the helpings were huge!

 

Stepping into Greatness by Gail Hamilton

From the aggregator: Gail Hamilton is a member of our federation and active in our Colorado Association of Guide Dog Users. She is an author, speaker, and blogger. We thought you might be interested in Gail's latest blog.

Stepping into Your Greatness

This week, my marketer/publisher asked me if I was all in and willing to step into my Greatness. This got me thinking. Before I can Soar into my Greatness or ask you to soar into your Greatness, we have to be willing to take one step into our Greatness. And what keeps us from taking that step is fear.

•          Fear of the unknown

•          Fear of success

•          Fear of failing

•          Fear of not knowing how

•          Fear of high expectations

•          Fear of low expectations

•          Fear of anything.

How do we face that fear/step into our Greatness? At the end of the day, we have to take action. However, at least for me, before I can get to that step, I have to ensure I'm in alignment with my Self/spirit and have an attitude of gratitude. If not, I may need to go back and tweak one of these areas.

My best way of tweaking is journaling, praying, walking, exercising, and meditating. By indulging in self-care practices, getting clear on who I am, and keeping focused on my dreams and goals—not the negativity or expectations of others—I can do what Mine to do with joy and ease.

What about you?

How are you stepping into your Greatness?

Are you "all in" with your dreams?

If not, what's stopping you from stepping into them?

In her book Excuse Me Your Life is Waiting, Lynn Grabhorn says something to the effect that you have to "want your dream, feel your dream, and believe that your dream will come true," and I always add you must live your dream.

To want your dream, you have to know what you don't want.

To feel your dream, you have to be able to imagine it.

To believe your dream will come true, you must have faith in something bigger.

And, to live your dream, you have to be willing to move, step, and take action.

Are you ready to step, soar, and take action?

I'm challenging you to let go of your fear. Bless it for being there, release it from your heart, and forgive yourself for judging you. Everything is as it should be. Everything is in divine order. This is just a gentle reminder that you were born for a purpose full of light and promise. Use that twinge of fear as a message that this is what you're supposed to do. Then, instead of fretting or analyzing, step up, step out, and step into your Greatness. In this way, you will change the way you see and change the way you live.

Inspired by Gail's Posts?

Gail is a powerful international motivational speaker, trainer, and author. She guides and inspires audiences to recognize and shed their fears so they too can soar into their Greatness. Gail is available for keynote presentations, concurrent sessions, workshops, and retreats.

Late August Updates

Writer, Aggregator: Kevan Worley.

Contributors: Dan Burke & Erin Daley. With assistance from Lisa Bonderson, National Federation Of The Blind Of Colorado, and President, Jessica Beecham. Email, jbbeecham@gmail.com

Here is what you need to know

NFBCO president Jessica Beecham is urging all members and friends of NFBCO to actively participate in the upcoming 6 Dot Dash 5k, blind beer tasting, and family festival. This is the big fundraiser for our affiliate. You can participate onsite or virtually. Join us on September 10 at 8 am at the Colorado Center for the Blind, Littleton, Colorado. As the longtime chairperson of our NFBCO scholarship committee, Jessica knows how important it is to have a robust scholarship program. She has also seen firsthand how the work of our NFBCO and Colorado Center for the Blind Braille Literacy programs and advocacy change lives.

This year we have amazing NFBCO 6 Dot Dash sponsors. Thank you, Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Blackstone Consulting Inc, BCI, Comcast, Philadelphia Insurance, LaBarre Law, and J B & K Services. These and other corporate sponsors have supported our work over the years. We thank them. Please register today and participate in person or virtually in our NFBCO 6 Dot Dash 5K. http://6dotdashco.com/

 

Convention is coming! Convention is coming!

All roads lead to Greeley on October 27, 28, 29 & 30 for the annual state convention. Save those dates! Hotel reservations and convention registration are forthcoming in a matter of days! You and your family, your chapter, your organization or institution, and your company won't want to miss this year's Convention. Did we mention you should “Save those dates!”

 

National Federation of the Blind defends true equality for all

From the aggregator: Many readers of this blog know that we have been working for over a year to resolve discrepancies in how the Colorado Department treats blind inmates of Corrections compared to prisoners with sight. The Federation stands for equality of opportunity. We advocate for those who can not advocate for themselves. We have received the following press release from Fox and Robertson law firm. Congratulations to NFBCO president Beecham, NFB general counsel Scott LaBarre and our affiliates board for their commitment to seeing this battle through to its just conclusion. Here is what the release says.

Brian Christopher Mackes and Adrian Chávez, two blind men in the custody of the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC), and the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado, have settled the lawsuit they brought against CDOC last year.

The plaintiffs were represented by attorneys from Fox & Robertson, along with co-counsel at the Civil Rights Education and Enforcement Center (CREEC), and the Baltimore law firm of Brown Goldstein & Levy.

The suit alleged that CDOC denied blind prisoners access to the aids and services needed to participate in educational programming, work assignments, and recreation. According to the complaint, CDOC also failed to provide blind prisoners with effective communication of the materials and information that the Department provides prisoners in written form, such as handbooks, regulations, and grievance forms. This conduct forced blind prisoners to rely on other inmates to help them with various tasks, such as reading mail and to provide them with information, threatening their privacy and safety.

The settlement requires that each blind prisoner have access to a laptop loaded with screen reader software, which reads digital material aloud, as well as a typing tutorial program, an ebook reader, and other assistive technology. These devices will also contain accessible-format versions of key prison documents. Blind prisoners will also have access to a scanner and printer to which the laptops can be connected so that they can read mail and other printed documents. All job and education information will be made accessible, and blind prisoners cannot be denied access to any such opportunity based on disability.

"Blind prisoners do not seek, and this settlement does not grant special treatment," said Jessica Beecham, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado. "Blind incarcerated people will now receive the accommodations they need, and to which they are legally entitled, in order to fully and equally participate in the programs and opportunities available to other members of the incarcerated population. We commend the Colorado Department of Corrections for reaching this agreement and hope that other corrections systems throughout our nation will take note of the necessary and humane reforms taking place in Colorado. We are grateful for the leadership of our national organization in coordinating the expertise, resources, and talent to make these changes a reality."

"We recognize and appreciate the courage of the individual plaintiffs, Brian Mackes and Adrian Chávez, who documented the discrimination they faced and worked with us and with the Department to craft this ground-breaking settlement," said Amy Robertson, an attorney with Denver's Fox & Robertson who represented the NFB of Colorado and the individual plaintiffs. "We look forward to working with the CDOC to ensure access and privacy for blind people in CDOC custody."

 

Building a Career By Maximizing Transferrable Skills

By Julia Zanon

From the aggregator: Readers of this blog tell us they have enjoyed these articles from Julia Zanon focusing on employment. Julia is a member of our Mile High chapter, a retired rehabilitation counselor, and a highly respected administrator with the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. She also shares her management savvy by serving on the Colorado Center for the Blind board of directors. In this article, she shares a bit about our Boulder Chapter president Maryann Migliorelli.

 Over the past two years, I have been highlighting the career paths of blind Coloradans. Here is another installment in this series featuring Boulder Chapter president Maryann Migliorelli.

When Maryann Migliorelli was in high school, she dreamed of becoming a full-time drummer working in Nashville. Her backup goal was to be a teacher. As I have been interviewing people for this blog, I have yet to find anyone who is doing what they imagined in high school for their future career. In fact, true confession, I dreamed of being a "go-go Dancer" because they got to wear cute boots and mini dresses. I, too, had to get real and went on to work in health care and vocational rehabilitation. However, as an adult, I also took ballroom lessons and competed in dance competitions as a hobby, fulfilling my dream of dancing and wearing beautiful costumes. Dreams are not lost; they sometimes show up in different ways. 

Maryann, a creative artist at heart, has followed her high school dreams for music and entertainment by pursuing avocational paths. She has become an actor for Phamaly Theatre Company, is an artist/advocate using Poetry for Personal Power, is a professional speaker and improv leader for Migs Motivation and Merriment Company, and is a distinguished Toastmaster.

Maryann has been working for The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment  (CDLE) since September of 2020, starting out in the call center. In April of 2022, she was promoted to unemployment insurance claims adjudicator. Maryann stated, "That's the fancy way of saying that I make decisions based on unemployment law to determine whether or not people get benefits based on how and why they separated from their jobs." Her work with CDLE  also gives her a much-needed chance to serve others at a time when the work is truly needed. She is a servant at heart. And working for Unemployment fulfills her need to give back. Maryann stated, "I love when I can use the law effectively to get claimants much-needed benefits. It's also kind of fun getting to the bottom of each separation. It feeds the curiosity seeker in me when I have to ask probing questions of both the claimants and employers to discover the truth."

Prior to working for CDLE, Maryann had been working in hospitality. However, Covid19 forced her to change careers, as it has done for many other people. When she saw the job posted on ColoradoTalk, she figured that her skills in retail, business ownership, and hospitality management could transfer nicely. Her future goal is to work her way up to joining the Unemployment training team.

 

I asked Maryann how she learned the skills she needed for this current career. She reported that her education came from a variety of sources. She learned customer service skills in the Business Enterprise Program and in hotel front desk and reservation work. She learned computer skills from college courses, Vocational Rehabilitation instructors, training provided by Google for state employees, and many hours of personal study. She has also attended on-the-job training for her work with CDLE. Despite many hours of training and access to blindness technology, Maryann said that there are parts of her job that are challenging. She spends many hours every day reading untagged PDF documents with many "Yes, No" checkboxes that don't read properly and the questions and answers don't line up for her. She often uses AIRA agents to read documents when she can't glean enough of the answers on her own.

Maryann lives with her family in Boulder, Colorado. She is the president of the Boulder Valley Chapter, treasurer of the Colorado Association of Guide Dog Users, and is a board member of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado. Maryann explained that the NFB has given her a place to serve in many capacities and to grow as a leader. She stated, "I know that what I do here makes a difference not just for me but for others who also want to live their dreams. Every time I call or email someone from Congress, mentor a newly blind person, or just be present and loving to the rest of the blind community, I'm giving back, and the giving matters."

 

A summer of growth for blind youth

By: Anahit Labarre

From the aggregator: If you have never visited the Colorado Center for the Blind during summertime, you don't know what you are missing! You can hear and feel and absorb the energy of youth. Our CCB is always bustling as people who are blind seek wisdom and find their wings. But the summer is truly special, as Anahit LaBarre tells us in the piece about this summer's dynamic summer youth programs.

The energy is high, and the students and staff are busy learning, having fun, and getting to know each other. This describes our daily life at the Colorado Center for the Blind as we race through our second session of the Summer Youth Program. It is incredible to see the transformation in the students when they graduate. Two or three weeks are just enough to plant the seeds of independent blindness skills and nurture them into sprouts of promise. The confidence, curiosity, desire to learn, and the realization that we grow daily through applying our skills is so rewarding to watch!                        

 

This summer, we held a three-week residential youth session in June, and a two-week session after the NFB convention, ending on Friday, August 5. These are our first residential summer programs since the summer of 2019, and it's been a wonderful time for all of us!

Of course, students have all the usual classes – Technology, Braille, Home Management, and Travel, along with philosophy and enrichment classes. One of the highlights has clearly been the woodshop, where students were introduced to various power and hand tools, made a keepsake braille cell out of wood, and learned how blind people could fix common problems around the house.

Paul Sandoval, a blind technology trainer, demonstrated assistive technology equipment and answered many questions about braille and mobile technology. Additionally, this tech guy shared with the students how valuable networking was as a tool.

April Hill, a chemistry professor from Metro State University in Denver, led an informative seminar on polymers, how they interact with various substances etc. She based all of her presentations on hands-on experiments for the students. It was incredible to watch them discover different textures, smells, and reactions. In June, the group made a trip to CU-Boulder and visited the Fiske Planetarium, but really students were most impressed by the constellation of options in the cafeteria.

Students participated in rock climbing, kayaking, self-defense classes, goalball, and outdoor summer games. It is great to watch our students rely on each other, learn about how teams work, emerge as leaders, and teach teammates the skills they know.

Education regarding interpersonal communication is the key to success. We held two seminars provided by WEAVE, an organization out of California, on healthy vs. unhealthy relationships and establishing healthy boundaries. The students responded very well, had many questions, and participated actively in the conversations.

In philosophy class, students discuss topics such as advocacy, the fact that being blind does not define who we are, the power of networking, and ways they can incorporate the skills they learned as they return home. In other words, how to continue the sprouts of confidence and independence!

 

RTD and Colorado Springs Transit

During the month of August, RTD is offering zero fares across the entire bus and rail system as part of the Zero Fare for Better Air initiative. From August 1 – 31, 2022, during Colorado's high ozone season, customers will not have to purchase mobile tickets or use fare products on any RTD service, including Access-a-Ride, Access-a-Cab, and Uber, as RTD aims to help reduce ground-level ozone by increasing the use of public transit. This collaborative, statewide initiative is made possible by Colorado Senate Bill 22-180, the ozone season transit grant program in partnership with the Colorado Energy Office.  

Experience the many benefits of RTD all month long at zero fares while we all do our part to reduce ground-level ozone and increase transit usage across the region.    

Learn more at https://www.rtd-denver.com/zerofare

 

Request for proposals for NFBCO state convention programming

The National Federation of the Blind of Colorado is excited to announce that we are seeking content for our 2022 State Convention seminars and breakout sessions. At this time, we are planning to be in person with a hybrid component.

The Convention will be held from Thursday, October 27 through Sunday, October 30. Breakout sessions will be held during the afternoon of Friday, October 28, and may also occur Saturday, October 29. The National Federation of the Blind is made up of blind people of all ages, races, ethnicities, and backgrounds. This year we are seeking new and dynamic content that will appeal to our diverse audience. If there is something fun, exciting, interesting, intriguing, evocative, or stimulating that you want to share with the Blind of Colorado, please fill out the information below and email it to Kevan Worley kevan@nfbco.org by September 17, 2022. We will review all proposals and will let you know by September 27 whether your proposal/seminar has been chosen as a part of this year's Convention festivities.

If you have attended a convention of the National Federation of the Blind in the past, you know that we often hold a large number of breakout sessions simultaneously. For this Convention, We will be limiting the number of seminars that can be held at the same time. We will be accepting a limited number of breakout sessions/seminars, including sessions organized by special interest groups and committees and activities hosted by divisions that are not annual division business meetings.

So, division leaders, if your group wants to host a breakout session/seminar, you need to submit a proposal. Please give us as much detail as possible about your session and how it will enhance the Convention. We will choose the presentations which best fit our agenda. Unfortunately, we will not be able to accept all of the proposals that are submitted.

Name:

Title:

Is this presentation or seminar affiliated with a division or chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado?

Objective of Presentation or seminar:

Description of presentation or seminar (note, someone from the review committee may reach out to you for more details):

Best Method of contact:

How much time would you like for your session (Breakout Sessions/Seminars must be less than 2 hours in length )

 

Forward always forward!