[NFB-Greeley] FW: Join us for the July Call of the Colorado Center For The Blind Alumni Association!

[graduate56 at juno.com]

From: CCB Alumni Association <alumni at cocenter.org> 
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2023 5:42 PM
To: Melissa R. Green <graduate56 at juno.com>
Subject: Join us for the July Call of the Colorado Center For The Blind
Alumni Association!

 



Colorado Center for the Blind 

Take Charge with Confidence and Self-Reliance

Dear CCB Alumni,

You're cordially invited to our July 1st call on the first Saturday of the
month at 10 AM. This month's theme centers around the essence of freedom and
independence for blind folks.

While some of us will be attending the convention, we are still hosting our
July call to maintain our connections and engage in meaningful
conversations. We'll be exploring what freedom means to us as blind
individuals, discussing personal experiences, and sharing valuable insights.

Join us by clicking on the following link or One-tap Mobile Number:

*
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89959983674?pwd=NmNhdnk4U1BxdytmYndiOGRjcWdNZz09
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One tap mobile


*	+17193594580,,89959983674#,,,,*686268#

This virtual gathering space will bring us together to connect, exchange
resources, and foster old and new friendships within our CCB alumni
community.

We can't wait to have you join us and contribute your unique perspective on
freedom and independence as blind individuals. Feel free to reach out to the
CCB organizing committee if you have any questions or need further
information. We can be reached at alumni at cocenter.org
<mailto:alumni at cocenter.org> .

In addition, we would like to share some valuable insights and life hacks
that were discussed during one of our previous calls. These tips have been
compiled for your convenience. We have included a brief alumni highlight
from that call, showcasing the power of community and learning that takes
place at the center.

We would love for you to participate by answering the prompts we've provided
below. Your responses will contribute to creating more alumni spotlights,
allowing us to celebrate each other's accomplishments and journeys. Please
share your answers with us so that we can continue to foster connections and
inspire one another.

Warm regards,

CCB Alumni Association Organizing Committee


CCB Alumni Share Their Top Life Hacks for Living Independently as a Blind
Person


During the alumni call on May 6th, we discussed various life hacks that can
help simplify and improve daily tasks for individuals who are blind. We have
compiled a list of these hacks into categories below. Thank you to everybody
who participated on the call and shared their favorite life hacks!


Mobility and Transportation:


*	Move it app: Provides real-time information about bus and train
schedules, as well as information about delays and cancellations.
*	White Cane: A tool that can be used to navigate unfamiliar
environments and indicate to others that the user is blind. Here is the info
for NFB's free white cane program.
*	Blind square app: Uses GPS to provide information about a user's
location, including nearby businesses and public transportation options.
*	Google Maps: Provides information about a user's location, as well
as directions and public transportation options.


Assistive Technology:


*	Pen friend identifier: A device that can be used to label and
identify objects with audio labels.
*	Seeing AI: An app that uses artificial intelligence to read and
describe text, identify objects, and recognize faces.
*	Script Talk: is a service that helps individuals with visual
impairments to manage their prescription medications independently. It uses
an app and RFID labels on prescription bottles to provide audible
prescription information. With Script Talk, users can receive spoken
instructions for taking their medication, dosage, and other important
information.
*	Braille display: A tool that can be used to convert text on a
computer or smartphone screen into Braille, allowing users to read and write
in Braille.
*	After Shokz headset: Uses bone conduction technology to transmit
sound directly to a user's inner ear, allowing them to hear without blocking
out other sounds.
*	Phone: Provides various accessibility features such as voice
commands, screen readers, and GPS navigation.


Community and Support:


*	Apple's FaceTime app: now allows users to play games with their
friends and family using the SharePlay feature. Introduced in iOS 16,
SharePlay allows Apple users to share content, including videos and games,
over FaceTime, making it a great way to make calls more interactive and
engaging.
*	Be my eyes: An app that connects users with sighted volunteers who
can provide visual assistance through a video call.
*	Be My Eyes brows specialized help section: Many businesses and
organizations have a dedicated disability section on their website, which
can provide information about accessibility and accommodations through the
Be my eyes app.
*	Attending CCB: Provides training in skills like cane travel,
Braille, and computer skills to help individuals live independently.
*	Vocational Rehabilitation: A government program that can provide
funding for job training, education, and assistive technology for
individuals with disabilities. They can also assist with offsetting the cost
of apps such as Blindsquare.
*	Friends: Having a support network of friends can provide emotional
support and practical assistance when needed.
*	Faith and God: Religion and faith can provide a sense of comfort and
community for many.


Practical Tips:


*	Duct tape: Adding distinctive markings to a cane with duct tape can
make it easier to identify in clusters of canes. Additionally, duct tape can
be used to temporarily fix a broken cane by using a pen or pencil as a
splint and duct tape to hold it in place.
*	Ask a lot of questions: A helpful life hack is to recognize the
importance of interdependence and to increase independence by asking
strangers a lot of questions.
*	United States Postal Service Informed Delivery: Provides audio
descriptions of the mail an individual will receive each day.
*	Speed dial: Can be used to quickly call frequently used contacts
without having to navigate a phone's interface.
*	Rubber band method: when you have two similar or identical items,
wrap a rubber band around one of them. For instance, you could put the
rubber band around the salt shaker or the shampoo bottle. This technique
helps you quickly distinguish between the two items and prevents confusion
or mistakes.

We hope you find these life hacks useful in your daily life. Please feel
free to share any additional tips or strategies with the alumni community by
emailing us at alumni at cocenter.org <mailto:alumni at cocenter.org> . We look
forward to hearing from you and supporting each other in our journeys.


Alumni Spotlight: Ask a lot of Questions


By Laura Millar (October 2022 graduate)

I vividly remember the day when I went on a travel class to find the Big
Blue Bear in downtown Denver. As a student at the Colorado Center For The
Blind, I was blindfolded for the trip and couldn't see the bear with any of
my residual vision. When I returned home that day, I was feeling sorry for
myself about my blindness, and a terrible cloud hung over my head.

Some days that level of internalized ableism can be brutal. That was when I
decided to call up one of my closest friends, who is also totally blind and
a graduate of another NFB training center. I asked her how she navigates the
world and still enjoys all the things that the world has to offer. What
vacations were like for her when she was not able to see any of the sites to
be seen, etc. Her response changed my perspective entirely. She encouraged
me to get a lot more curious about my surroundings. She shared with me that
she always asks a lot of questions and engages with the people around her to
learn more about her surroundings.

My friend turns into something of a journalist, inquiring about what she is
experiencing with people and strangers around her. For example, she asked
about the Big Blue Bear, such as what it might look like, why it is there,
who put it there, and if there is anything special or notable that she needs
to know about it. Was there a plaque that explained the history of the bear
or the person who made it? So many questions sprang instantly into her mind
that it freed up my curiosity to be open to having a different experience.

A few weeks after graduation, I had the opportunity to go snorkeling off the
islands of Tahiti and Moorea. While I wasn't able to see much of the sea
life on the adventures we went on, I was able to ask lots of questions of
our guides and simply enjoy the experience of being present in all of the
experiences that I was able to have.

I appreciate how much the different experiences we have are made up of all
of our senses and not simply visual, because we believe that is the easiest
thing to resort to. I learned that asking questions and engaging with those
around me can be an incredibly valuable way to experience the world, and I
am grateful for the lesson that CCB and my blind friends taught me about
living more positively as a blind person. While I allowed myself to feel the
grief of not being able to see the fish, I also get to experience the world
in an exciting and new way each and every day.

I will forever be grateful to the Colorado Center For The Blind and by
extension the National Federation of the Blind community. The invaluable
lesson I have learned through the power of questioning and confronting my
internalized biases has opened up a world of limitless possibilities. From
initially harboring self-pity, I have embraced curiosity and found strength
within this structured discovery model. By actively engaging with those
around me and exploring my environment, I have come to cherish the richness
of experiences that extend beyond mere visual perception.


Alumni Spotlight: Share Your Journey!


We would like to invite you to share your unique story with fellow alumni,
current students, and supporters of our organization. Your journey as a
blind individual and graduate of the center can help and inspire others who
may be facing similar challenges.

Please feel free to answer as many prompts as you'd like, but we encourage
you to share your experiences by selecting at least one. By answering these
prompts, you consent to share your story publicly in our newsletter or on
the CCB website. We believe that sharing your stories will help connect
alumni, find old friends, and make new ones. Your contributions will help us
strengthen our community and inspire future generations of CCB students.

Please send your responses to alumni at cocenter.org
<mailto:alumni at cocenter.org> . Thank you for being part of the Colorado
Center for the Blind family. We look forward to hearing from you!


Your Experience with CCB, and Life After the Center


CCB Experience


*	When did you attend CCB and what program(s) did you most enjoy?
*	What did you gain from your experience at CCB, and how has it
impacted your life since then?
*	Can you share a memorable experience from your time at CCB?


Life After CCB


*	What personal or professional accomplishments are you most proud of
since leaving CCB?
*	How have you used the skills and knowledge you gained from CCB in
your career or personal life?
*	How have you continued to challenge yourself and pursue your goals
since leaving CCB?


Advice and Reflection


*	What advice would you give to current or future students at CCB?
*	What role do you think CCB plays in the lives of blind individuals,
and why do you think it is important?
*	How has the CCB community impacted your sense of belonging and
identity as a blind individual?

 


Phone: (303) 778 1130

2233 West Shepperd Ave
Littleton, CO 80120
United States



Take Charge with Confidence and Self-Reliance
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