<html class="apple-mail-supports-explicit-dark-mode"><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div dir="ltr"></div><div dir="ltr"></div><div dir="ltr"><br><br><br>Begin forwarded message:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><b>From:</b> Brett Boyer <bboyer@cocenter.org><br><b>Date:</b> February 16, 2026 at 9:41:04\u202fAM MST<br><b>To:</b> Brett Boyer <bboyer@cocenter.org><br><b>Subject:</b> <b>AI, Practically Speaking: Monthly AI online meetups with the Colorado Center for the Blind: Learn it. Try it. Break it.</b><br><br></div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr">\ufeff
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">Everyone is talking about AI. Some people are excited. Some people are overwhelmed. Some people are quietly hoping it goes away.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My friends, it is not going away.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">As part of our outreach efforts, the Colorado Center for the Blind is hosting two AI meetups each month. These sessions are practical, accessible, and focused on real use rather than hype. The goal is not to turn
anyone into an expert, but to help people understand where AI fits into real life and how to approach it with confidence.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">No sales pitch. No certifications. No pretending this replaces thinking.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<h2>AI Foundations<o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">An honest, practical introduction to AI<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This session is designed for beginners and anyone who feels curious but unsure where to start. The focus is on understanding AI well enough to use it without feeling lost or intimidated.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We will talk about the different types of AI people are encountering and what those terms actually mean. We will look at AI tools that are currently helping blind people and talk honestly about what problems they solve and where they fall
short. We will discuss AI wearables and hardware, including what is promising, what is limited, and what questions are worth asking before buying into new technology.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We will also spend time on how to talk to AI in a way that leads to useful results, along with everyday uses like writing, editing, brainstorming, planning, learning new information, and organizing content.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Accessibility and AI: what are blind people using and how can it increase our independence without over-reliance.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">No prior experience is required. Asking questions is encouraged. Confusion is allowed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<h2>AI Lab<o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">A hands on space to experiment with AI<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This meetup is for people who are already using AI and want to go beyond the basics. The focus is on real problems, real projects, and honest discussion.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Participants may work on improving how they prompt and iterate with AI, using AI as a thinking and productivity tool rather than a shortcut, and building workflows for teaching, work, and creative projects. We will also spend time talking
about accuracy issues, bias, accessibility gaps, and how to recognize when AI is not the right tool.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Bring a project, a problem, or something you tried that did not work.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<h2>Schedule<o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">Two sessions each month<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One AI Foundations meetup<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One AI Lab meetup<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Open to all! Just bring an open-mind and prepare to have great discussions and to learn new things from each other!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<h2>Why attend<o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">Learn how AI fits into everyday life<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Separate useful tools from hype<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Build confidence navigating new technology<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Explore AI in an accessible, judgment free environment<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Have honest conversations about what works and what does not<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">So, if you are ready for fun, interactive, creative, educational, an engaging discussions about AI, I urge you to sign up at the following link and we can dive in together!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMwEaA2jnJFR6w9v7MLHosG-fyzB7-MZFA6rn1uhqahhS2Nw/viewform?usp=publish-editor">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMwEaA2jnJFR6w9v7MLHosG-fyzB7-MZFA6rn1uhqahhS2Nw/viewform?usp=publish-editor</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">AI is not going to replace your brain. But it might help you use it better.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Please join us for our first meet-up on Monday March 2 at 06:30 PM Mountain Time!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is the AI Basics for AI beginners and tinkerers. Learn what AI actually is, what types of AI are most talked about, and how blind folks are using it.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:105%;text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;mso-ligatures:none">Brett Boyer<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:105%;text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;mso-ligatures:none">Access Technology Instructor<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Pronouns: he/him/his<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:105%;text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Colorado Center for the Blind</span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Phone: 303.778.1130 Ext: 231<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Fax: 303.778.1598<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">2233 W. Shepperd Ave.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Littleton, CO 80120<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">The Colorado Center for the Blind is a training center and community of blind and low vision people, proudly affiliated with the National Federation
of the Blind.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">We believe blind people can do anything. Every day, we encourage and challenge each student\u2014and they come to understand their potential as they build
the skills and confidence to live the life they want. Because when you believe in yourself and experience a thriving community of positive blind people, nothing can hold you back from pursuing your dreams.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="http://cocenter.org/"><span style="color:blue">cocenter.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/coloradocenterfortheblind"><span style="color:blue">Facebook</span></a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/cocenter4blind"><span style="color:blue">Twitter</span></a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/cocenterorg"><span style="color:blue">YouTube</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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