[Colorado-Talk] Downtown COS apology and action

Wed Feb 18 21:37:25 UTC 2026

Hello fellow NFB folks,

So sorry to hear you were unable to have a meeting last night. We at the
Colorado Springs chapter have had our share of attendance issues, without
zoom we would not have been able to have a meeting in January due to
weather.

As stated in Lisa Gavel's awesome meeting notes for Feburary, our chapter
will be moving our monthly chapter meetings to 1 in the afternoon, same
location, in March and April due to weather concerns. We will decide in
April if we want to continue to meet in the afternoon however most members
want to have their afternoons free during the summer months.

Our chapter is planning on attending the in person board of directors
meeting at the Colorado Center for the Blind on May 30 and supporting the
Confidence Camp that the center will be providing at the school for the deaf
and blind the first week of June. 

We will for sure work together for events/activities with the downtown
chapter. As for Panino's, sounds like an excellent choice and the
paratransit is available for that location as they are for the Avenue 19
location. I hope to join you in March, I have not been to Panino's yet.

As to the October activities, we will for sure be looking to that. Also the
board is planning on putting together a 6 dot dash event in September but
dates and times have not yet been determined.

Looking forward to working with the downtown chapter this year to build our
federation.

Jeanette

p.s. I understood that DVR was referring folks to Leader Dog and Guide Dogs
in California and Oregon for mobility training since there is no other
option for local mobility training without DVR and for seniors statewide
there is no training.

JF

From: kevan nfbco.org <kevan at nfbco.org> 
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 1:29 PM
To: colorado-talk at nfbnet.org
Subject: Downtown COS apology and action

Dear colleagues, 

I am so sorry! We had another Zoom glitch. It was completely my fault. I am
so sorry. 

That said, over the past 2 years, we have had a lot of interest in both
chapters. We've put some real effort into building our Downtown COS Chapter.
Frankly, we have been on a roll! We are a welcoming and fun group of folks
who care deeply about equal access and equality of opportunity for all blind
and low vision people in southern Colorado, the state, and the nation.
Unfortunately, we did not have a quorum for a meeting. We did not have a
quorum to conduct elections. We have a powerful philosophy of positivity,
respectability, and empowerment. Southern Colorado definitely needs our
collective wisdom and collective action. We are lucky to have the Colorado
School for the Deaf and the Blind. They need our support and our oversight.
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is on a waitlist. Basically, no
one is getting essential services. Some counselors are sending clients who
need travel instruction to the Pilot Guide Dog School for about 2 weeks.
Frankly, Pilot is not a highly respected institution in our community.
Moreover, does anybody think you can get real, quality mobility instruction
over 2 weeks at a less-than-reputable guide dog school? Why would you send
people for 2 weeks to get cane travel at a guide dog school? 

Transportation for people without cars, such as the elderly, poor, blind,
and low vision, in Colorado Springs miserable. This issue should be one of
our most important efforts. Downtown COS has made some progress. But not
much. There's more to be done.

Should our chapters develop an outreach program for meet the blind month in
October? Something to consider. Perhaps both chapters could work together.
If desired. 

Both chapters seem to have a wonderful group small group of leaders. But I'm
mostly writing now to our Downtown COS. It is truly important that we have a
strong federation chapter. It is important to me, anyway, to enjoy mutual
support, fun activities, the sharing of new technologies, and more. I
recognize that it is not always convenient or accessible to go to every
Downtown COS chapter. And I recognize that more than once, over our short
history, we have dropped the ball on our Zoom access. We promise to fix it. 

People have mixed feelings about Avenue 19. It is convenient. It is free.
And there are plenty of food and beverage options before and after the
meeting. However, the chapter is seriously considering a new meeting place.
Still the 3rd Tuesday of each month. The meeting starts at 6 at Panino's,
downtown, 604 N Tejon St. Which is about 6 blocks north of Avenue 19 on the
west side of the street, on the corner of Tejon and E Willamette. They are
one of those Colorado Springs institutions. There is a lovely meeting room
for us. And they have a wonderful expansive menu. 

I know transportation is an issue for so many. But we can provide
transportation for those in true need. We can get a buddy to pick you up and
take you home. We can send an Uber after you. 

But hear my plea! If we truly want to change the world for blind people? If
we enjoy the friendship and camaraderie of our brothers and sisters who are
blind and low vision of all ages? And if we truly are dedicated to the
notion that with our individual actions, collectively focused, we can change
the world! We can truly live the lives we want. Please join us at the
Colorado Springs Chapter on the 2nd Saturday morning of the month or our
Downtown COS Chapter on the 3rd Tuesday evening of the month. You now have a
Saturday morning chapter choice or a Tuesday night choice. I truly believe
that together with love, hope, a generosity of spirit, and committed
advocacy, we can build dreams for blind people and our families. I hope that
you will all reach out to others, inviting them to our chapters. When
chapter meeting time comes around, even if you're tired, lazy, or would
rather listen to a ball game. We hope you will make your organization a
priority. We need you. We appreciate you, and together we can all be there
for you. 

Thank you for reading the above. We look forward to seeing all of you at our
next chapter meetings. 

At your service, 

Kevan Worley

303-929-2369

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