 |
|
State Convention
|
Notes from the Editor’s DeskMy name is Diane McGeorge. I have been a member and leader of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado for over thirty years. It is my pleasure to now serve as editor of our new electronic newsletter which will be sent to NFB members quarterly via Email. It will also be available on the NFBCO Web site at www.nfbco.org, the Colorado-Talk list serve, and the NFB-NEWSLINE® NFBCO’s local news channel. The usual format of the newsletter will include an affiliate report from President Scott LaBarre, chapter and committee reports when available, and an update on activities at our Colorado Center for the Blind, as well as any special announcements from the national office. From time to time I will use the Editor’s Desk to comment on the content of a particular article. If you have suggestions or comments please feel free to contact me at rmcgeorge@comcast.net or call me at 303-778-1130, ext. 219. Greetings from the PresidentWelcome to the first edition of your NFB of Colorado newsletter. It has been a long-standing goal of the NFBCO affiliate to create a newsletter that will help all of our members across the state to stay up-to-date with affiliate activities and projects. I want to thank Diane McGeorge for her willingness to take on the responsibilities of editor. You can help Diane with this important challenge by providing suggestions for newsletter topics and sending reports from your chapter or committee as well as articles themselves. Another way to help Diane would be to also check with your friends and NFB colleagues to make sure that they are on our Email list. If they are not receiving this newsletter by Email and would like to, please contact Lorinda Riddle at lriddle@cocenter.org or call her at 303-778-1130, ext. 236 or call our toll free number listed above. I am happy to report that your affiliate representatives recently returned from a successful trip to Washington, D.C., where we took part in the 2007 Washington Seminar from January 28 through February 1. NFBCO members from Denver to Greeley to Grand Junction to Colorado Springs and stops in between joined with others for the largest Washington Seminar in history. More than five hundred Federationists gathered in D.C. from almost all of the affiliates. The seminar will be covered fully in the March Braille Monitor, but some highlights for the NFB of Colorado included actual meetings with Senator Wayne Allard, Senator Ken Salazar, Congresswoman Diana DeGette, Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave, Congressman John Salazar, and Congressman Ed Perlmutter. In addition, we presented our Legislative Agenda to the staffs of Congressman Tancredo, Congressman Udall, and Congressman Lamborn. We gave our friends from Wyoming a helping hand by visiting their offices with them. We actually met with Senator Enzi, Senator Thomas, and Congresswoman Cubin. Our new shutter bug, Lorinda Riddle, took copious photos which should be appearing soon on our Website. Please also consult the NFB national website under the link Laws and Legislation to review the NFB Legislative Agenda for this year. On the state level, we have been very active as well. We are supporting a Commission for the Blind bill, H.B. 07-1274. We attended a rather interesting hearing on Thursday, February 22, in the House Health and Human Services Committee. A number of witnesses testified against the bill because of expressed uncertainties about the potential Commission, but the majority testified in favor, including several members of our organization. At the end of the day, the bill passed by a nine to two vote. Read the article “State of Colorado Commission for the Blind Bill” below for more information. Also of concern to us is the issue of reform to the voting system in Colorado. We have testified at a number of hearings, meetings, and forums as of late. Again, for more information read the article below titled “State Election Reform and Accessibility.” We are, of course, seeking continuing state funding of NFB-NEWSLINE®. We have received word that such funding will be in this year’s appropriation bill. All of these legislative issues will be covered at our State Day at the Capitol. Read more about it below. It is a busy time in the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado. This newsletter reflects our activity and our spirit. I am delighted that we have finally gotten it out. Please stay tuned for more news in future editions. Before closing, however, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that our state convention will be coming up in late September or early October. It will be here in Denver, and I am in the process of selecting the hotel. That will be finalized by mid March and we will pass on the information as soon as we have it. There will be a statewide board meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado (NFBCO) on Saturday, May 5, 2007 starting at 11:00 a.m. at the Colorado Center for the Blind located at 2233 W. Shepperd Avenue, Littleton, Colorado. All members are welcome to attend. To reserve lunch please contact Lisa Bonderson (lbonderson@labarrelaw.com) or call her at 303-504-5979 no later than Monday, April 30. In MemoriamNFB of Denver chapter president, Brent Batron, reported with great sadness that longtime NFB of Denver member, Charles Cook, passed away in early February at the age of 81. Charles was an active member of the Denver Chapter and most recently spoke to the chapter about its history at the Chapter’s summer barbeque meeting. He will be greatly missed. His dedication has and will continue to benefit the blind in Colorado. With deep sadness, Alyce Bouy, president of the Pueblo Chapter, reports that longtime Federationist, David Elgin, age 65, passed away on February 24 after a long illness. David was one of three people who helped write the Pueblo constitution in 1983. He was a strong supporter of NFB youth efforts and he helped establish the monthly chapter collection, called the College-Work Drive, to provide financial support to chapter members who needed assistance with college or work related expenses. David was an extremely generous person and would personally help any Chapter member who needed financial assistance. The NFB Youth Slam – Explore, Dream, Discover!A 2007 STEM Leadership AcademyFrom July 30-August 4, 2007, two hundred blind and low vision high school students will stay at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, to be mentored by blind role models during fun and challenging activities meant to build confidence, expand leadership and advocacy skills, and increase science literacy. Participants will also attend various social events as well as workshops on topics such as leadership, career preparation, and advocacy. The NFB Youth Slam will culminate in an inspiring rally at Baltimore's Inner Harbor and a celebration at the center of innovation in the field of blindness—the NFB Jernigan Institute. The NFB Youth Slam will be the most dynamic gathering of blind youth ever. Sign Up Now! Launch rockets, invent new things, create weather tracking sensors, perform astronomy, examine new technology, compete in engineering tasks, learn how a gecko teaches us about science, design solutions for the environment, meet new friends, play goalball, watch movies, dance, march for independence, make podcasts, meet blind role models, stay at a major university, and experience hundreds of other adventures at the first ever NFB Youth Slam. Those interested in participating as students (student information) or mentors (mentor information ) should complete an application by April 1, 2007. We encourage candidates to complete their applications early, as qualified participants will be selected on a first-come-first-served basis. Students and mentors need not have a strong interest in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) in order to participate, enjoy, and benefit from this academy. NFBCO Day at the CapitolMark your calendar for Wednesday, March 21. That will be the NFB of Colorado Day at the Capitol. Federationists will gather at 8:00 a.m. in the Old Supreme Court Chambers, State Capitol Building, for a briefing before visiting with members of the Colorado General Assembly. The legislative issues for this year include renewed funding for NFB-NEWSLINE®, a free telephone service provided free-of-charge by the National Federation of the Blind. We will be discussing the creation of a commission for the blind, House Bill 07-1274. If passed, the commission for the blind will be made up of eleven members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. These members will be charged with studying rehabilitation and other services to the blind and making appropriate recommendations to the Division of Rehabilitation (DVR), the Governor, and the General Assembly. We will also address the various proposals floating around to reform the voting system in Colorado to make sure that we protect the ability of the blind to cast a secret and independent ballot. Be sure to contact your local state representative and senator to tell them we will be planning to visit with them on March 21. Fact sheets will be available explaining the issues. Come and be a part of this exciting opportunity to change the lives of blind people all over our state. State of Colorado Commission for the Blind BillThis past Thursday, February 22, 2007, the House Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony for HR07-1274, Concerning the Creation of a Commission for the Visually Impaired (click here for a PDF version of the bill), sponsored by House Representative Joe Rice. The NFB of Colorado provided testimony strongly supporting this bill. The bill was passed on a nine to two vote and will now go to the House Appropriations Committee. The bill carries a small fiscal note because the Commission will require one staff person as well as some money to study existing programs. If it gets through House Appropriations, it will go to the House floor. If passed there, the Commission bill will land in the Senate to go through the same process. Ultimately and hopefully, it will land on Governor Ritter’s desk for signature. At the hearing, the majority of witnesses testified in favor of the bill. However, several testified against the bill because of expressed uncertainties about the Commission’s structure. Some of you might not have known of this effort since the process moved very quickly from the discussion stage to the hearing stage. The Commission bill, as written, will establish an eleven member Committee, appointed by the Governor and approved by the state Senate, to study service delivery to the blind in Colorado and to make annual recommendations. The National Federation of the Blind of Colorado will continue working with Representative Joe Rice in support of HB07-1274. We thank him for his efforts to improve the lives of blind Coloradans! State Election Reform and AccessibilityFor the first time blind voters in Colorado were able to cast their vote independently and in secret. Click here for the Rocky Mountain News article by Rosa Ramirez. However, this right to a secret and independent ballot is now at risk because of a movement in the state to have all votes cast by a mail-in ballot. This may take away the right of a secret ballot for those of us who are blind. Significant reform to the type of voting machines used is also being discussed. The position of the NFB is this. If the decision is made to cast votes via mail-in ballot, accessible mail-in ballots must be made available. For example, sending the ballot on a CD which the blind person can open as a file, read the ballot, mark the choices, and then print out the completed ballot for return to the county Clerk and Recorder. Additionally, if the blind voter doesn’t have access to accessible computer equipment, the county should have available laptops loaded with access software that a blind voter could use, or make available a method wherein a blind person (and other disabled voters) could still cast an independent and secret ballot at the Clerk and Recorder’s office. The bottom line is that whatever method of voting is implemented, it must be fully accessible to the blind and visually impaired. The NFB has been closely involved with the development of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) at the national level, and the NFBCO has had representation on a state-wide committee to enforce the HAVA provisions. NFBCO representatives have been asked to present testimony on the voting reform issue and will be watching this process very closely. After finally gaining the right to a secret ballot—a right which Americans have enjoyed for years—we do not want to stand by and have this right taken from us! B.L.A.S.T. Conference – March 7 through 10Over five hundred blind businessmen and women will assemble at the Adam's Mark Hotel in downtown Denver on March 7, 2007, for the National Association of Blind Merchants’ annual meeting. The meeting, known as the Business, Leadership, and Superior Training (B.L.A.S.T.) conference, will feature speeches, training sessions, technology demonstrations, exhibits, and networking opportunities. For more details, go to www.blindmerchants.org. 2007 NFBCO Scholarship Deadline – May 15, 2007Each year at its state convention, the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado gives a broad array of scholarships to recognize achievement by blind scholars. All applicants for these scholarships must be (1) legally blind, and (2) pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time post-secondary course of study in the fall semester of 2007 or spring semester of 2008, in the state of Colorado. One scholarship may be given to a full-time employee also attending school part-time. If you are a blind student, please apply immediately! If you are a teacher, counselor, family member or friend of a legally blind student, please encourage them to apply now! Students who have previously won an NFBCO scholarship are encouraged to apply again. Go to www.nfbco.org for more information or click here for an application.
Colorado Center for the Blind—Always an AdventureWhat is the Colorado Center for the Blind?The CCB is a training center where all staff members have full belief and confidence in blind people; a place where we push and challenge ourselves and our students to learn and grow each day. Everyone here has a story. Our students come to the center to get their lives back and to gain belief in themselves. The excitement of learning is contagious and inspiring to all of us. The seemingly little events turn into the steps that make the difference towards confidence. Our Center is special because we are passionate about what we want for everyone.Our Center is your Center! Thanks to the NFB we are truly making a difference! CCB Presents the 4th Annual Evening at the TheaterJoin the friends and supporters of the Colorado Center for the Blind at Stage Theatre on Saturday, May 19, for an evening of fun and theatre. Start off with a cocktail reception and silent auction at 5:30 p.m., and end the evening with the Denver Center Theatre Company and their production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. CCB Student Makes Generous DonationThe Colorado Center for the Blind received an unexpected gift when former student, Jim Barbour, now living in California and working for Google, presented a check for $20,000 to the Center. Julie Deden, the Center’s director, was surprised and very pleased. “Sometimes you know that a student doesn’t realize how much the Center’s training will mean to them until much later,” she said. “Jim was one who questioned why this training was necessary for his life. Now he wants to help us make sure that we will be able to continue providing this training for others,” she said. We recently learned that Google is matching Jim’s gift. Snow, snow and more snow:Have you wanted to learn how to be a traveler extraordinaire? In January immediately following our break, our students and staff had this opportunity when metro Denver got record amounts of snowfall. One of our newest students from California had hoped for a lot of snow and she certainly got her wish. Our students are explorers and they knew that they would be expected to travel in the deep and icy snow. I am proud to say that students came to classes each day and, most importantly, they gained confidence and belief in themselves as blind people. We slid down snow banks and used snow drifts as land marks. Kyle, one of our staff members, even shoveled out several bus stops for us. He wasn’t asked to do this, he just wanted to. We all worked together and made one of the snowiest winters into a great training tool. Neighborhood Welcome and Open HouseIn February, we invited our neighbors to see what we are all about. Students prepared delicious appetizers like artichoke dip, wrapped jalapeños, pinwheel sandwiches, and desserts like chocolate mousse, chocolate dipped strawberries, cakes and cookies. Our guests learned about Braille, cane travel, and wood shop, and met all of our staff and students. We were at the center late into the evening and enjoyed every moment teaching others about the CCB and blindness. A Special Congratulations!Today one of our students, Robert Smith, completed his drop which is one of the requirements for travel. Robert was unusually quiet this morning. When he arrived back to the center at 11:00 am, we rang the bell and he was so proud of this accomplishment. Robert knows that he can travel anywhere. He has been working at Very Special Arts and now has his own apartment in Denver. Doris Willoughby—Academic Skills InstructorDoris Willoughby works with us as our academic skills instructor. Periodically, all of our students are required to write compositions on various topics. On Wednesday the next paper is due and the subject is “How Weather Affects Our Lives.” These assignments provide students with the structure to fully develop both their writing skills and their technical skills. These writing assignments have been a wonderful addition to our overall curriculum. The NFBCO Newsletter is a quarterly 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 Lorinda Riddle at lriddle@cocenter.org. Your address will only be used within the NFBCO and its entities. We do not sell, rent, or exchange Email addresses.
Newsletter Archive Spring 2007 NFBCO Newsletter
|
