[Nfb-greeley] Fw: July-August CCB newsletter

[melissa R green]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Carol Sprague
To: csprague at cocenter.org
Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2012 4:16 PM
Subject: July-August CCB newsletter


COLORADO CENTER FOR THE BLIND

2233 W. Shepperd Ave.

Littleton, CO  80120

303-778-1130   800-401-4632

ccb at cocenter.org    www. cocenter.org



July-August Newsletter



Take charge with confidence and self-reliance



Message from the Director



One of the primary things that we do at the Colorado Center for the Blind is 
to educate the public regarding the capabilities of blind people.  We do 
this every day as we travel around the city, meet with prospective 
employers, provide tours of the center and talk with school aged kids and 
their teachers.  The opportunities for education are endless.  Our staff and 
students learn how to articulately and gracefully deal with the public even 
when people may be condescending.  Last weekend Maureen Nietfeld and I 
traveled to Arizona to attend a convention.  On our way there and on our way 
back we encountered several people who would not let us travel independently 
through the airport.  Our flight attendant even decided that we needed to 
have lids and straws so we would not spill. Maureen teaches home management 
at the center. She shows people how to grill, prepare complex meals using 
large knives and much more.  Did this bother us?  How did we handle this? 
Mostly, we continued to do our best to show others around us that we are 
capable and confident people who happen to be blind. We were able to handle 
several situations effectively because we truly believe that it is 
respectable to be blind. This philosophy is what we impart to our students 
each day.  Our philosophy classes on blindness provide a time for 
discussion.  When students are out on the streets during cane travel class 
they often get on the spot lessons about how to best work with the public. 
This aspect of center training shapes all of us, staff and students alike.



Program Notes

Independence Training Program

Remembering Jason:

Jason Young came to the center from Arkansas.  He had not been blind for 
long and was eager to learn how to get his independence back.  Jason loved 
adventures and was truly a free spirit.  Jason worked as a sound engineer 
for many years.  He was beginning to realize that he could again work in 
this field and that his blindness would not get in his way. Jason loved all 
music from Tony Bennett to Frank Sinatra to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.  He 
told his family and his friends that he loved being at the center and 
learning that he was not the only blind person around.  Jason passed away 
two weeks ago.  He loved his family, friends and had a very big heart, 
always wanting to give back to others. When Jason would laugh we could not 
help laughing ourselves.  When he would talk, we all listened as what he 
said was so worth hearing.  We all have learned from Jason.  Love, live and 
laugh!!!



Graduation Day:

Jabari rang his freedom bell on his graduation day in July.  He came to the 
center to gain the skills he needs to continue on at college in Georgia. 
Not only is he fully prepared for this now, but he gained leadership skills 
from being the student association president and enjoyed working with the 
summer youth program.  He was well loved by his students.



When Jesse graduated his bell could be heard everywhere.  Jesse’s family 
celebrated with all of us.  Jesse lost his vision when he was assaulted; he 
had several surgeries and believed that he would never be happy again.  Now 
he takes care of his home, loves to cook again and earned his ServeSafe 
certificate in the area of food service.



Anna from the Ukraine was determined to come to us for training.  She has a 
sparkle that always shines through.  She rang her bell of freedom for all of 
the blind people in the Ukraine.  She plans to complete her degree and hopes 
to study in the United States.



Dionne came back to us to complete her training.  She rang her bell for 
herself, her husband, her daughter and all of us.  Dionne plans to look for 
work in the area of customer service.  She encouraged other students 
throughout her program.



Western Welcome Parade:

Once again this year the center participated in the annual Western Welcome 
Parade.  This parade celebrates the western heritage of Littleton, Colorado. 
Many businesses, schools and interested groups from Littleton march in this 
parade.  We love doing this because how often do you get to walk down the 
street and have hundreds of people clap for you!!



Getting Back to Nature:

Staff and students embarked on a camping/canoe trip in Horse Tooth Canyon 
close to Fort Collins.  Several students had never camped before.  Everyone 
learned how to pitch a tent, set up sleeping bags and cook meals outdoors. 
We loved having time together and especially enjoyed a hike, swimming in the 
lake and canoeing.  Even though we had a little rain everyone learned a lot 
and enjoyed being outside.



Thank You:

We want to thank Cheryl and Dennis for their kind and generous donation of 
their seven passenger van to us.  We use it all of the time and our seniors 
especially enjoy riding in this vehicle.



Youth Program

It is hard to believe that the Colorado Centers’ summer programs have 
already ended.  The graduation dinner and talent show was held on August 
1st.  It was a very nice ceremony with the students and staff welcoming 
families, summer employers and guests.  The students had prepared a meal for 
150 people.  It is always a bitter-sweet evening.  It is wonderful to see 
the growth in all of the students but it is hard to say good-bye to them. 
After spending 8 weeks and becoming so close to each of the students, it is 
hard to believe that the group of 24 students and 9 staff members will never 
be all together in the same room again.  The students have come so far in 
their skill level, their confidence, their independence and their belief in 
themselves and that blindness has simply become a characteristic and not 
what defines them.

We had students from 10 states including Arizona, Colorado, California, 
Missouri, New Mexico, Florida, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Arkansas and 
New Jersey.  We also were excited about working with our international 
students.  We had a 15 year old from Thailand and three of our six middle 
school students came to us from Mexico.  The families in Mexico are now 
planning to form a parents group based on NFB philosophy with an emphasis on 
how the Colorado Center has benefitted not only their children but their 
families.

The students gained skills and confidence in the core classes of Braille, 
cane travel, technology and home management but they also participated in 
several challenge recreation activities.  These included rock climbing, 
hiking, canoeing, martial arts, goal-ball, a city wide scavenger hunt, 
skating, bowling and even attending the theatre to see a play.  The students 
also attended the NFB’s national convention in Dallas which afforded them 
the opportunity to travel in two airports and a very large convention hotel 
(the Hilton Anatole) and meet people from all different walks of life and 
learn about lots of new technology.  They also attended the NFB of Denver’s 
annual picnic and they participated in all of the games including acting 
like big kids playing in the bouncy castle.

Another fun and educational activity that they participated in was the 1st 
Annual Summer Science Seminar.  Students were able to conduct various 
scientific experiments, utilize accessible materials for many different 
sciences and learn that blindness is not a barrier to success in science 
classes.  The presenters included a chemistry student at Colorado 
University, professors at Metropolitan State University in Denver and a 
world renowned tactile artist and author Ann Cunningham who won a Dr. Jacob 
Bolotin award at this years’ national convention of the National Federation 
of the Blind.

The Earn & Learn high school students not only gained work experience this 
summer but they learned skills of interviewing, networking and resume 
writing.  Our students worked in several different locations all over the 
Denver metro area and Boulder in many different capacities.  The jobs ranged 
from receptionist at the Center and the South Metro Chamber of Commerce, 
ushers at the Denver Center for Performing Arts for PHAMALY’s  production of 
“Little Shop of Horrors”, food service at the Federal Center, technology 
assistant at the Center, working with children at the Auraria Early Learning 
Center and with young blind kids in the BELL program.  Two of our students 
worked at the Right Step which is a therapeutic riding program where they 
groomed and fed horses and even got to ride on their last day.  It was an 
experience that they will never forget.  Another student worked with a 
reporter from the Littleton Independent not only attending various meetings 
and court hearings but also getting to write articles.

If you would like to receive information about year round programs for youth 
and their families, please contact Brent Batron at the Center 303-778-1130 x 
222 or by email bbatron at cocenter.org

Senior Program

Senior groups are available weekly.  For more information, please call 
Duncan Larsen at 303-778-1130 extension 226.



Staff in the Spotlight

David Nietfeld loves teaching cane travel! This morning it was raining.  As 
I walked to the front of the building after taking the bus, David appeared. 
He did not take the bus today, but he walked all the way into the center in 
the rain.  He loves exploring all areas, finding new and adventuresome 
travel routes and teaching his students all about their surroundings during 
travel class.  David is curious by nature and imparts this to his students. 
He is calming while at the same time strong with his students.



David is from Arizona.  He graduated from the center and began working here 
as our residential manager.  He has his National Orientation and Mobility 
Certification.  Last year he married Maureen Hoban who also works at the 
center.  David enjoys hiking, camping, rock climbing and loves his job!



Upcoming Events:

Learn what we are doing at the Colorado Center for the Blind!



The staff and students would like to invite you to attend our Open House:



Date:            Thursday, October 11th

Time:           3:00 to 6:00 pm

Place:          Colorado Center for the Blind

2233 W. Shepperd Avenue

Littleton, CO  80120



·        Meet all of us!

·        Learn about Braille, write your name, see how we read and pick up 
some alphabet cards

·        See the latest technology that is used: Braille displays, screen 
readers, iPhones and much more

·        Step in to our woodshop where blind students will show you their 
projects and talk about how they use power tools

·        Talk to our students about independent travel; find out how they 
cross complex intersections and much more

·        Meet our senior blind and let them show you how they handle 
everything in their lives now that they are blind

·        Stop by the kitchen for some delicious light refreshment and 
discover how our blind students prepare all kinds of foods



Our open house will be filled with demonstrations and provide you with a 
whole new understanding on the abilities of blind people.









To refer someone who is interested in training, please call Robert Dyson at 
303-778-1130 extension 249.





If you have items for the newsletter, please send them to ccb at cocenter.org.







Please note that my email address has changed to:  csprague at cocenter.org



Carol Sprague

Administrative Coordinator

Colorado Center for the Blind

2233 W. Shepperd Ave.

Littleton, CO  80120

303-778-1130

303-778-1598 fax

www.cocenter.org



Take charge with confidence and self-reliance




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