[Nfb-editors] Colorado Parents of Blind Children- e-Connector

[Robert Leslie Newman]

It is great to find that many state Divisions have newsletters. Here is one
from Colorado, an after convention report; see what they felt was important

 

 

e-Connector

 

News from Colorado Parents of Blind Children (COPOBC)

August, 2011

Volume 3 – Issue 8

Inside this issue:

·        National Convention Highlights

·        NFB in Action

·        Braille Book Fair at Convention

·        What’s Next?  Guide Monkeys for the Blind?

·        Art and Creativity at Convention

·        Calendar of Upcoming Events

·        Save the Date!

 

Editor’s Note:  Please feel free to contact us if you have an announcement
you would like included in the newsletter or if you would like to add a
friend or family member to the e-mail list.  Direct all communications to:
copobc at gmail.com

 

NATIONAL CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS

(Photo of convention in general session)

 

The NFB National Convention was held the week of July 3-8 in Orlando,
Florida.  Over 2900 people were registered during the convention week.  The
above photo shows the convention assembled for one of the general sessions
and seated according to state.  The Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel, a luxurious
resort hotel and conference center, was the setting for the convention and
offered deluxe accommodations and fine restaurants.  The seminar for parents
and teachers, “When I Grow Up
” launched the week with a full day of
speakers, panels and workshops.   Workshops such as “Tools and Techniques
for the Classroom”, Age Appropriate Expectations”, “Behavior:  Who’s in
Control Here anyway?” “Technology and the IEP” “Get a Life—A Social Life”
and many more were offered during the parent seminar day.  Cane Walks, a
family outing to Seaworld, a Braille Book Fair, IEP Workshops, and many
other activities kept everyone busy throughout the week.  This issue is
dedicated to highlights from the convention.

NFB in Action:  The Convention Reacts to News of Pending Legislation

It wasn’t on the agenda, but alarming news of legislation being considered
in theSenate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (the HELP
Committee) postponed the scheduled speaker when the first general session of
the convention opened on July 6th.   President Maurer told the assemblage
that the HELP Committee is scheduled to vote on the Workforce Investment Act
(WIA).  The WIA contains language reauthorizing the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, as amended.  Although the Rehabilitation Act is supposed to provide
services to disabled Americans so that they can obtain competitive
employment, the language in the Act would allow certain entities holding
special wage certificates, including some workshops employing blind people,
to pay workers with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage.   It is
unconscionable that any business be allowed to pay any person less than the
minimum wage based on disability.  Equal pay for equal work is a basic
right.  A petition was circulated throughout the convention and over 2,000
signatures were recorded and forwarded to the Senators working on the
legislation.  The following day the convention learned that the petitions
had had an immediate impact.  The HELP Committee agreed to extend the period
of time they would allow for studying the legislation by two weeks, and
presumably look closely at the language in question.   Meanwhile, the
members of the NFB plan to conduct informational protests across the United
States to raise awareness about the practice of paying wages below the
federal minimum wage to Americans with disabilities.  The protests will take
place at the primary district office locations of United States Senators
serving on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
The HELP Committee is scheduled to vote on the Workforce Investment Act on
Wednesday, August 3rd.    Colorado Senator, Michael Bennet, serves on this
committee. You can help by contacting Senator Bennet’s office (by email
<http://bennet.senate.gov/contact/>  or phone 202-224-5852) to let him know
that you want the language allowing subminimum wages for workers with
disabilities to be removed from the Workforce Investment Act.  For more
information, please visit  <http://www.nfb.org/> www.nfb.org.  

BRAILLE BOOK FAIR AT CONVENTION

(Photo of girl reading a Braille book title)

It’s Tuesday evening, July 5th, and a crowd of eager readers has gathered
outside a large meeting room.  Inside hundreds of books have been arranged
on tables around the perimeter of the room.  The books have been laid out in
categories beginning with twin vision books and books for early readers and
ranging on to books for youth, books for teens, adult reading, non-fiction,
and textbooks.  The books had been donated to the NFB and collected
throughout the year.   The books are offered free of charge with free
shipping made possible by volunteers from UPS.  As the doors open the crowd
rushes in and fingers fly across titles as Braille readers gather books that
interest them.  Arms loaded with books, the happy readers carry their
volumes to the boxing area where they are boxed and labeled for shipment to
their homes.   Pictured above is young girl checking out a possible
selection for her summer reading.

WHAT’S NEXT? GUIDE MONKEYS FOR THE BLIND?

(Photo of pony wearing guiding harness)

This pony with guide harness was seen in the Exhibit Hall at the national
convention.  The pony’s owner was using sighted guide at the time and so the
pony was not seen “in action”.   The definition of “service animal” now
seems to cover everything from Chihuahuas and monkeys to ponies.  There have
been complaints that some people are designating their animals as “service
animals” for the sole purpose of being able to take them to stores,
restaurants, hotels and onto airplanes, when in fact they are companion
animals.   The question of how to fairly define “service animal” is
definitely up for debate. 

 

ART AND CREATIVITY AT CONVENTION

Ann Cunningham, artist and sculptor, hosted a drop-in art room at
convention.  A variety of artworks were available for exploring by touch.
Art materials were on hand for children and adults to work on their own
creations.  Ann featured a number of devices to make drawing accessible to
blind artists.  For sculpting she used a medium called “Baking Soda Clay”.
Here is the recipe for the clay along with Ann’s suggestions for its use:

BAKING SODA CLAY

2 Cups baking soda

1 Cup corn starch

1 ½ Cups cold water

Mix the ingredients in a sauce pan over low heat, stirring constantly.  Cook
the mixture until in gathers into a ball and turn out on a countertop to
knead when it is cooled.

Ann says, “This is a good medium to stimulate the sense of touch.  You can
create additional interest by heating some of the clay, chilling another
portion and leaving the rest at room temperature.  You can engage the sense
of smell by adding food flavorings to different parts.  This is non-toxic,
but I don’t recommend anyone actually eat any.”

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

August 3  Graduation   Middle School, High School and College Prep summer
program graduation plus a seminar for the parents of the graduates at the
Colorado Center for the Blind.

August 19 VSA Gallery Opening   Photography by blind students who
participated in the VSA Photography Workshops this summer will be displayed
at this gala Gallery Opening. 

VSA Gallery

909 Santa Fe Drive,  Denver

5:00-9:00 p.m. 

August 20 Western Welcome Week Parade   Blind youth participating in Blind
Link will march with students from the Colorado Center for the Blind in the
parade through downtown Littleton.  All COPOBC parents and children are
invited to join in.  For more information contact Brent Batron at
303-778-1130, ext. 222 or email bbatron at cocenter.org

August 27   

“HATS OFF TO BROADWAY”

A Musical Tribute Performed by the Littleton Town Hall Arts Singers/Actors.
Join us at for a wonderful musical event to be held at the Colorado Center
for the Blind in Littleton. 

Saturday, August 27, 2011  6:00-9:00 p.m. 

The evening will begin with an array of delicious food and cash bar followed
by a live auction and Broadway Musicals Revue.   All proceeds will benefit
the Colorado Center for the Blind youth programs.  For tickets and
information contact Carol Elzi: celzi at cocenter.org
<http://www.nfbco.org/library/documents/Newsletters/celzi@cocenter.org>  or
phone 303-778-1130 ext. 211.

COMING IN SEPTEMBER
 SAVE THE DATE!

Rock climbing and hiking adventure for youth ages 10 and up.  This adventure
will take place on September 24th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is
sponsored by the Colorado Center for the Blind Youth Program and the
National Sports Center for the Disabled.  More information will be provided
in the September e-Connector, but be sure to save this date!

 

 

 

 

Robert Leslie Newman

President, Omaha Chapter NFB

President, NFB Writers' Division

Division Website

 <http://www.nfb-writers-division.> http://www.nfb-writers-division.net

Chair, Newsletter Publication committee

Personal Website-

 <http://www.thoughtprovoker.info/> http://www.thoughtprovoker.info