[Txabs] Dining in the Dark 2/25/2014 - Blind servers needed

[Forman, Tracey]

I wanted to let you know about a very interesting opportunity that requires the expertise of the blind and visually impaired.

 On Saturday, February 15, 2014 the Brazos Valley Center for Independent Living  (BVCIL) is hosting the second "Dining in the Dark" event at the College Station Hilton.  It's a fundraiser to raise money to purchase an accessible van to be used as a shared ride services for the Bryan/College Station community.  The event is being coordinated by BVCIL and volunteers from a variety of other community agencies including DARS and Texas A&M.

Essentially this is a meal served in entire darkness so that the dinner participants get chance to experience what it is like to eat with a visual impairment.  To be able to pull the event off we are looking for a variety of volunteers.   In particular we need to find at least 12 people who are visually impaired who are willing to be servers for the night.  Last year we had a number of current and former Texas A&M students participate and it was great to see the former students come back to town.

The event planners will conduct a training prior to the event to oriented the servers and other volunteers to the room.   Additional details about the server role are listed below. The room is marked with a tactile floor grid and the tables and chairs will have tactile markings.   If you have specific questions or want to sign up, please contact Melissa Padron, 979-776-5505 or e-mail dininginthedarkbcs at bvcil.org<mailto:dininginthedarkbcs at bvcil.org?subject=DID%20Inquiry>.


Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/dininginthedarkbcs
Website: www.dininginthedarkbcs.com<http://www.dininginthedarkbcs.com/>


Servers (12 needed)
Preferred Qualifications:
*       Person with a visual impairment;
*       Ability to navigate independently in the dark using a cane (training will be provided); and
*       Willingness to answer questions related to living with a visual impairment.
Time Commitment:
*       Prior to the event:  Attend cane orientation training if needed (estimated 1-3 hours) - this training will be held at BVCIL and offered at least twice prior to the event. This training is optional.
*       Prior to the event:  Attend server training (estimated 2 hours) - this training will be held at BVCIL and offered at least twice prior to the event.  This training is required;
*       Day of the event: Dining in the Dark event - The day of the event will be a full day.  We will have the dining room open and the grid on the floor for orientation to the room, tables, etc.  An early dinner will be provided.
Duties:
*       Seat guests at pre-assigned tables (10 guests at a time all going to one of your tables);
*       Introduce yourself to your guests, orient them to the table, and provide table service to approximately 30 guests (3 tables);
*       Acquaint yourself with your guests, offer tips/suggestions, etc. and let them get to know you and ask you questions


--
Tracey Forman
Department of Disability Services
Texas A&M University
(979) 845-1637
traceyf at disability.tamu.edu<mailto:traceyf at disability.tamu.edu>

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