 |
|
State Convention
|
eCONNECTOR Number 1 A NEW VENTURE! We are excited to be dispersing this first in a series of e-newsletters for parents, families, friends and teachers of blind children throughout Colorado! Last summer we surveyed families around the state about their specific needs and interests with respect to raising or supporting a blind child. Having received an enthusiastic response to the mailing, we are extending our outreach efforts to include a regular newsletter with happenings, information and educational opportunities pertinent to you and the blind children you know. Many of you who responded to our recent survey indicated an interest in attending future Colorado Parents of Blind Children (CPOBC) meetings and seminars. We were pleased to know about such an interest. Our board, comprised of a handful of parents of blind children and blind adults, meets occasionally to discuss our goals as an organization, to plan upcoming Colorado Parents of Blind Children events, and to feed our relationship with the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado. We would welcome your presence at our meetings, and are certain that our gatherings would be greatly enriched by your participation. As you read the news that follows, we encourage you to act on any urge you may have to become involved in the CPOBC and the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado. Fill out the membership form attached to the end of this newsletter and mail it in to us. It is through your participation that we will be able to forge ahead with our efforts! In the grand scheme, blind children and their parents and supporters are few in number. We need each other’s support and encouragement as we go forth with high expectations for our children! Warm Regards, Lucie Kiwimagi President, Colorado Parents of Blind Children National Federation of the Blind of Colorado
FREE CANES FOR COLORADO KIDSWe all know how quickly kids outgrow their shoes. Well, kids outgrow (or break!) their canes too. The Colorado Parents of Blind Children (CPOBC), a division of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado, is proud to sponsor a cane bank for kids. Any legally blind child living in Colorado is eligible for this program. We have canes as small as 24”, so even the littlest ones can begin to get a feel for independent travel and exploration. Although there is no obligation to return a used cane, we appreciate getting unbroken canes back so that they can be refurbished and given to other children. For further information contact Lucie Kiwimagi at 303-422-3213 or Kiwimagi@msn.com.
CONVENTION SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLEIn partnership with the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado (NFBC), the CPOBC once again plans to award scholarships to help one or more families of blind children attend the annual national convention of the National Federation of the Blind. This year's convention will take place at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia from July 1-6. Those who would like to attend this exciting event but find themselves short on funds are encouraged to apply. Monies will be awarded to help cover the cost of travel, lodging, convention registration fees, and meals. Interested parties need to go through a simple application process in order to be considered. Please email Lucie Kiwimagi at Kiwimagi@msn.com for more information.
ATTENTION: PARENTS OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTSYour son or daughter may have the opportunity to participate in an incredible experience and the application deadline is approaching fast. What’s happening? **** NFB YOUTH SLAM *** The National Federation of the Blind is hosting a four-day academy for blind and visually impaired teens July 30 to August 4, 2007 in Baltimore, Maryland. In partnership with organizations such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, the NFB invites students to engage in challenging and inspiring activities meant to stretch the imagination, build confidence and increase science and math literacy. The application deadline has been extended to March 31. For more information, go to NFB Youth Slam or visit www.blindscience.org SUMMER PROGRAMS AT THE COLORADO CENTER FOR THE BLIND: BUILDING CONFIDENCE, BUILDING SKILLS AND HAVING FUN!Blind and visually impaired children and youth can look forward to another summer of fun and learning at the Colorado Center for the Blind. The Center, located in Littleton, will be offering programs for elementary, middle school, high school and college aged young people. The programs combine the fun of camp (think outdoor activities, sports, arts and crafts) with a solid foundation in the adaptive skills needed to achieve independence. Class activities include such things as supervised cane travel training, introduction to technology for the blind/visually impaired, cooking, shopping and self care, work on Braille and computers. (All classes and activities are appropriate to the different grade levels.)
The Middle School, High School and College Programs are residential. Students live in an apartment with a counselor and several of their peers. Residential living provides the opportunity for students to learn and practice the skills needed for independent living such as home management, meal planning, and grocery shopping. The Elementary School Program is a day program. Parents are responsible for daily transportation. For more information contact:
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR BLIND COLLEGE STUDENTSPost-secondary students who are legally blind are encouraged to investigate the many scholarships offered through the National Federation of the Blind. Both the state and national NFB organizations have generous scholarships available to assist students in fulfilling their academic and professional dreams. On the national level, scholarships ranging in value from $3,000 to $12,000 will be presented at the national convention of the NFB on July 6, 2007. Scholarship winners will be awarded an expense paid trip to the convention in Atlanta, Georgia. Applications for the national scholarship must be received by March 31, 2007. For more information click here. On the state level, the NFB of Colorado awards scholarships to recognize and promote academic achievement at the postsecondary level. Applicants must be legally blind and pursuing or planning to pursue a full time post secondary course of study. Scholarships valued from $800 to as much as $6,000 are awarded at the state convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado. Applications must be received by May 15, 2007. For more information click here. THE NATIONAL AGENDAThe National Agenda for the Education of Children and Youths with Visual Impairments, Including Those with Multiple Disabilities, is a grassroots effort to change the way visually impaired and blind children are being educated. Even with IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education) the fact remains that children with visual impairments do not always learn enough in school to get a job or live independently after graduation. The National Agenda is the result of parents, teachers, and administrators working as partners to make changes for students with visual impairments. These partners have looked at the most important things needed to make education better for visually impaired and blind children. These things make up the eight goals of the National Agenda. Those involved in drafting this landmark document believe that working toward these goals can make a difference in the lives of students with visual impairments. The National Agenda provides family members with a framework for improving the education system for their children with visual impairments. As a national grassroots effort since 1994, it has provided the necessary platform to positively alter the way children who are blind or have low vision are educated in America's schools. The Colorado Parents of Blind Children supports this effort (our larger organization, the NOPBC is a member of the National Agenda Steering Committee), and supports parents to learn more about how it effects our children. For more information click here.
CPOBC MEMBERSHIP FORMPlease open the Word document for our membership form. Print the form, fill it out, and return it with a $5 annual dues fee, made payable to the Colorado POBC. Thank you for your ongoing interest and support in your parent organization here in Colorado! HAPPY SPRING!
The eCONNECTOR, a newsletter from the Colorado Parents of Blind Children, is a publication sent to all who have provided an Email address. If you want to sign up, change, or remove your name from any future general Email distribution, please contact Julie Hunter at jhunter@cocenter.org. Your address will only be used within the NFBCO and its entities. We do not sell, rent, or exchange Email addresses.
eConnector ArchiveIssue 3 Fall 2007
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
