Governor Ritter Signs First Colorado Commision for the Blind Bill!

For Immediate Release

LITTLETON, CO. (May 23, 2007): Members of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado will join with other blind Coloradans tomorrow in celebration of Governor Bill Ritter’s signing of House Bill 1274, creating the first Colorado Commission for the Blind. The signing will take place on Thursday, May 24, at 4:30 p.m. in the 1st floor West foyer of the Capitol building. 

Scott LaBarre, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado, states, "The creation of a Commission for the Blind will study rehabilitation and other services for the blind and make appropriate recommendations to the Division of Rehabilitation, the Governor, and the General Assembly.  Efforts to establish the Commission rose out of the need to find methods of training to combat the staggering unemployment rate (almost 80%) faced by the blind.”

He went on thank longtime supporter of the blind of Colorado, House Representative Joe Rice, a Democrat from Littleton, Colorado, and Senator Suzanne Williams, a Democrat from Aurora, for their sponsorship of the bill.

Kevan Worley of Colorado Springs and president of the National Association of Blind Merchants believes this Commission has the potential to bring about some real reforms in training for the blind. “It’s just common sense to include blind people in the study of how training is provided, and the Commission brings the consumer of services to the table,” he said.  “For example, at one time sheltered workshops—places of low pay in a custodial setting—were thought to be a good idea but few people believe that today.  Blind people in the twenty-first century need twenty-first century training ideas,” he stated.

About the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado
The NFB, known as the voice of the nation’s blind, is the largest organization of blind people in the United States. The National Federation of the Blind of Colorado was chartered in 1955.  The NFB believes the real problem of blindness is not the lack of eyesight but rather the misunderstanding and lack of information which exist.  We believe that with proper training and opportunity, blindness can be reduced to the level of a physical nuisance.

For information about the NFB of Colorado please call 303-778-1130 or go to www.nfbco.org.

Return to Navigation

2233 W. Shepperd Avenue Littleton, CO 80120 Phone: (303) 778-1130 Toll Free: (800) 401-4NFB Contact Us

©2006-2007 National Federation of the Blind of Colorado