You Support Our Community, Our Community Sustains Us
Thank you to our community of supporters and friends for our most successful Colorado Gives Day ever! Your support and generosity for this annual nonprofit event is both affirming and greatly appreciated! Every year since the inception of Colorado Gives Day, our community steps up to show its support for our high-expectation, high-value blindness training, and every year that community grows! For that, I offer a simple, humble thank you!
Julie Deden
Executive Director
We believe you can do anything as a blind person. So, every day, we encourage and challenge you—and you come to understand your potential as you build the skills and confidence to live the life you 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.
Indeed, The Colorado Center for the Blind is a training center and thriving community of positive blind and low vision people located in Littleton, about a dozen miles south of downtown Denver, and proudly affiliated with the National Federation of the Blind. Founded in 1988, the Colorado Center for the Blind has grown into a world-renowned blindness-skills training center attracting students from across the United States and beyond. Nearly all of our instructors are blind and thus we, too, “walk the walk” every single day…
A man in winter clothes and boots extends his cane as he walks along a cleared, but snowy bike-pedestrian path, the South Platte to his right, a pedestrian bridge is further back, and the late-day winter sun on the snowy Rockies in the far distance.
Barry loves travel class so much he wanted to teach it for Role Reversal Day, but he’s also considering it as a profession when he graduates.
Large group of Summer Youth out in the garden with their bags full of things they picked
Stefanie takes a swing at the Zip Ball on Game Day
a senior woman navigates the hallway among other students with her instructor following
Janice and Chris return from a travel lesson and got caught in the traffic between ITP classes, which Janice navigated smoothly. Julie Deden is coming up behind them.
Lexy and Kosy in a double kayak
female student how to hold the knife as she slices an onion
Here’s a photo from 2017 showing Delfina teaching Ceci how to slice an onion. Many of the techniques we use in teaching involve hands-on instruction. Delfina, who is also blind, puts her hand over Ceci’s in order to show her the proper way to hold the knife, angle and so on, as well as to check that she is able to do so.
Paul headed out from the Center with his cane
Ernesto playing the Piano
Petr and Diane H. returning from travel in the rain
An older woman uses a support cane in her left hand and shorelines on the right with her white cane while her instructor observes
Kathy quickly found her level using a white cane in one hand and support cane in the other. And she and her instructor Stephanie B took full advantage of the fall afternoon out front at the center.
Cesar in a yellow Kayak at Bear Creek Lake Park Right profile straight on
Shawn grinding a knife blade in Shop Class
Ravi looks at tactile art created by other CCB students
Four rafts head toward white water
Summer staff and students white water rafting on Clear Creek on a hot July, 2017 day.
Senior Using an iPhone for Taking Notes
Stephannie and Mark work together using a color identifier to match the correct wire colors to re-wire a light fixture in Home Maintenance Class
Stephannie and Eliza take advantage of the warm weather and study Braille outside
David D. Skiing down the slopes through falling snow
Amanda cracks an egg into a bowl
Loren listens to the news on his phone while waiting on a train
Mady makes Salsa in the food processor for her Grad Meal
Suzi in Tech Lab learning to use the computer with a screen reader
Amanda works with her phone and the computer in Tech class
Allie Blanca C.G Dan andMike walkingaround the pond at Sterne Park during Birding Class
Amanda reading Braille
Lauren out on the sidewalk standing on the skateboard she made
Andres hurries along a busy street to get to the light rail station
Confidence Camp kids in Downtown Denver
Ty and Seamus with their canes riding on the train
Leilani under the locust tree reaches arms to the sky during yoga on the lawn
Anahit and Nate Making a Sandwitch
Cristian and Charis Hike along the Clear Creek Trail
Beth with cool Blue Mirrored Glasses answering the phone at the front desk
A group of students about to board the Light Rail
Five people wearing snow shoes on a wintery forested path with snow covered branches.
Dan, Anthony and Showe with two guides on the snowshoe trail at Lake Eldora. Four inches of fresh, albeit wet, snow flell the night before.
Ryan holds the belay rope for a student seen above on the rock. His t-shirt says “Nobody Can Stop You” in print and Braille.
Amanda getting on the train
Corey decides when it is clear to go and starts the street crossing
Katie back from her Independent Drop giving the Thumbs Up and a Huge Smile
Dan H gives a tip of his brown felt hat on Etiquette Day, the height of good manners
J.D. in the big raft with Mason, Lesse and Lexy
CCB folks Lewie, Abdi, Matthew Cameron and Skysha walk along a colorful tree lined path leading toward Bowles Ave.
Chaz Davis (right) explores a 3D printing of the iconic NCAR building with one of the NCAR hosts
a blind instructor talks with his student, a senior woman as they walk with white canes along a residential street
Dishon and Olive on the return leg of a travel lesson near the center. Seniors in Charge this year was blessed with lovely fall days.
A delighted Logan making the letter L in Braille with whiffle balls and an egg carton
Carolina working on the computer in Tech Class
Chris P. reading Braille at her desk
Katie reading Braill outside at the round table with the mountains in the background
Rebecca out on Travel near the Greenway entry on Prince Street
Tabea showing two cucumbers she just picked from the garden
Julie and Lexi Reading Braille
Monique reading Braille at her desk in her office at work
Julie and Taylor doing Yoga out on the lawn
David K. walks through the snow on a winter morning
D is holding a Pecan Pie
Tom M. Working on his Winning Sauce for the Great Taco Challenge
Lauren walking down the sidewalk and talking on the phone
Two students have their hands on tactile graphs at NCAR
Two students explore tactile graphs showing carbon dioxide over time
a smiling woman with a cart full of groceries outside the store
Lyne did her mini-meal shopping at the Walmart Neighborhood Market in early 2017. She planned, shopped, prepared and served for 15 people.
Trevor uses a Click Rule to measure out pieces for a model of a Light Rail Station he is building in Wood Shop
Shaun, Davina, Loren, Mikayla and Dan cross at Church and Prince on the way to ACC
Andres gets ready to get on an RTD Bus
Kyra and Trevor walking to the pond for Birding by Ear Class
Vika shreading chicken in a crock pot for her grad meal – Celia with a tray of cookies
Summer Youth Canoeing
Andres runs to catch his train
Abdi writes Braille using a full page slate
staff and students on the front patio grilling and enjoying the day
Everybody was out front today on the grills, making the most of the first day of spring. Delfina, Lyne, Kyra and Libby checking on brats.
Carina reading Braille in the Senior Program with Sam and Sue for Spanish Language Group
Ernesto, Taylor and Jordan on their way back from Travel Class
Loice in her first snow catching snowflakes on her toung
Leilani is thinking about the answer to a question her Teacher asked in Braille Class about contractions
Kameron chopping Bell Peppers for part of his Grad Meal
Ta’lia reading Braille outside on a bench
Andres walks along a neighborhood street
Mady slices Tomatoes for her Grad meal
LaDonna- smiling, holding a Hockey stick in the rink doorway as part of our Blind Hockey Program
Two women arranging their hands on a page of Braille
Aylin carrying in lots of grocery bags for her mini meal
Izzy plays the piano at the Talent Show
Laurie uses a pencil grip on her cane and takes her first step down the stairs – Petr instructing
Tom M. working on the computer in Tech Class
Rhonda uses an oscilating power sander in style, wearing a shop apron and long gold earrings!
Janet relaxing and reading Braille
Carolina seen from above, smiling as she reaches the top of the rock, a wide view of fellow students below and across Clear Creek Canyon.
A small blind woman laughs as her hands rest on a Braille copy of the New York Times Weekly.
Though she retired 20 years ago, CCB founder Diane McGeorge volunteers with our Senior Program every week, teaching Braille and helping lead discussions in support groups.
Lisa makes turns in her chair in the gym to find various destinations – Duncan instructing
David says hello to Rainbow, his right hand gently sliding down the pony’s nose, while his left hand rests on her back.
Warren Waiting on the Bus during his Independent Drop
a group of students labor in the snow to build a snow person
Students took advantage of a big snowstorm in late February to work on a snow person at the McGeorge Mountain Terrace Apartments. Some students from warmer states don’t get this chance at home.
Mady working at the computer in Tech class
Outdoor Braille Class on the Picnic Table during Confidence Camp
Andres stepping on to the light rail
Martin workis with an Orbit Braille Display and his phone
Two female climbers shown on the rock while others look on from below
Ashley looks at a Great Horned Owl in Birding by Ear Class
Aylin mixes Cookie Dough for her Mini Meal
Alice reads Braille in Eliza’s Braille Class
Shawn looks at a 3D model of a scene in Art Class so that he can draw a top down map view of it using the Sensational Blackboard
Darien works at the computer during Tech Class
Jen Working on the computer at the Front Desk
CCB folks Matthew, Skysha Abdi and Cameron walk along Bowles ave about to cross the bridge over the South Platte River
Blind Senior in a red hat marches in the Parade with a group from the Colorado Center for the Blind
Eileen, 92, is flanked by Senior Services Director Duncan Larsen and Senior Outreach Specialist Chris Kinney during the Littleton Western Welcome Week Parade. In front of them is Ashley and behind them are Martin and Brad.
Deya and Alma ready to dissect their Shark
Vika and Martin walk along a shaded sidewalk toward Littleton Downtown Station
Amanda coming down the steps at the Light Rail Station
Stephannie writes using a full page slate
Summer Youth working together learning to write code using Swift Playgrounds on the iPad
Beth at the coffee machine behind the counter at Dirt Coffee
Holly Hiking along a raging Clear Creek
Vanessa and Alejandro with his guitar ready for the show – both
Trevor talks to J.D. while he works with some wire and the Helping Hands Clips
Carolina, Leilani and Charles out on Travel along the gravel trail West of the Center
Seniors out for a hike along one of the Greenway trails
Eliza, Ryan and Aylin Playing Braille Uno
Judy shows two pillows she made
Christina getting on the bus
Kelly in sleep shades and mask turns her head to her right while she brushes a white horse named Booger with her left hand. Booger is sticking his tongue out.
Summer students Mary and Cheyenne each mount a tandem bike with EyeCycle Volunteers while Christina waits her turn
Rocky and Christina crossing the tracks
Christina getting on the train
Laura in sleepshades tends chicken on the grill
Wayne and Stephanie work on phone skills in the lobby
Summer students Marie and Amanda enjoying ice cream cones
Amanda, Rocky and Christina at the Light Rail Station just as the train arrives
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Latest News …
A Thank-you Following the NFB Convention @nfb_voice
Michelle runs the sound board for the NFB of Denver Chapter meeting. Editor’s Note: As we do each year, staff and students at the Colorado Center for the Blind attended the National Federation of the Blind convention during the first week of July. Forty of us traveled to Houston where we joined over 2300 fellow members of the NFB at the Hilton Americas for six days of meetings, networking, presentations, and NFB business such as resolutions, a great exhibit hall with the best in blindness-related assistive technology and other products. There were division meetings and state caucuses, receptions, and open…
Be a Part of Our Positive Philosophy about Blindness!
“I learned I don’t have to stay in my room anymore!” That was Alice’s story after attending our intensive five-day Seniors in Charge program. “(When I lost my vision) I was just going to stay in my room and never leave unless someone came to take me somewhere. Now I’m not going to stay in there anymore!” and in the years since Alice said that, she’s been true to those words. She is still living an active, independent life as a blind senior.
Alice
Senior Programs
“They will help provide me with the confidence and resources I need to successfully get through Middle School, High School, and hopefully College and Medical School,” she says. “I like to talk with people who get it.“
Chloe
Youth Programs
Get Involved!
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Upcoming Events:
- October 14, 2023, All day: Chatfield Farms Corn Maze
- November 11, 2023, All day: Learn essential outdoor skills
- December 9, 2023, All day: Annual Holiday Party with Denver Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado
View our Full Calendar
Register for Events:
Photos from Previous Events:
two 5-year-old boys in a red wagon, parent of one kneels beside them while the other’s mom & dad stand behind
Jackson gives his Maracas a two-fisted shake as he and Mason prepare to start the Parade. Jackson’s mom Chris kneels beside the boys, and Mason’s parents, Jen and Dishon stand behind them.
Blind Senior in a red hat marches in the Parade with a group from the Colorado Center for the Blind
Eileen, 92, is flanked by Senior Services Director Duncan Larsen and Senior Outreach Specialist Chris Kinney during the Littleton Western Welcome Week Parade. In front of them is Ashley and behind them are Martin and Brad.
A group of CCB students sit on a bench and put on hockey gear
Charles controls the Zip Ball on Game day
Evan waits as Katie and David come across the entrance to Littles Creek Greenway Trail
A young woman hits the zip ball
Stefanie takes a swing at the Zip Ball on Game Day
Workers with shoels, rakes and brooms in the snow and rain
More than 60 Comcast employees turned out on April’ 30s Concast Cares Day to take on a big landscaping project for the Center.
Two students have their hands on tactile graphs at NCAR
Two students explore tactile graphs showing carbon dioxide over time
CCB folks Lewie, Abdi, Matthew Cameron and Skysha walk along a colorful tree lined path leading toward Bowles Ave.
A student in sleepshades prepares to make a throw iwht the goal ball
Laura looks at tactile art made using various types of screws
Ravi flashes a huge smile from inside her hockey helmet and mask
Alexandra Hall gives the Keynote address at the Career and College Seminar
CCB students take turns exploring numerous tactile art pieces on the walls
A view down the table of blind youth getting hands on experience making simple circuits
Richie, Chandler and a group of CCB students start up the escalator at Union Station
A young man holds a box on his head and makes a goofy face, a young woman beside him laughs
Ellie laughs as Gene carries a box upside down on his head. He is walking with Iris, Stephanie and Ellie.
Ernesto and Chris P. Play Blindness Skills Jeopardy using Braille on Game Day
Katy holds up her daughter Zoey who is wearing sleepshades so she can touch ta tactile art piece of the mountains
Brett leads the 2 Minute Mystery Detective Game while Ramona, Evette, Lewie and Matthew try to figure it out
CCB students go out on the ice in their hockey gear
Three smartly-dressed women chat in a large, busy gym
Employment Specialist Monique Melton talks with Courtney and Libby at Making Connections 2017.
Julie Deden at the podium in a main session at the Career and College Seminar
David looking at a box frame with tactile art
Ravi looks at tactile art created by other CCB students
A Young man joyfully shakes his tambourine among his friends
Jordan grins and rattles his tambourine. Casey stands beside him.
At the Tactile Art Show, Alysa and Penny each look at casts of different emotional expressions
Shelby passes out Braille cards to a large group of young people at Western Welcome Week Open House
CCB folks Matthew, Skysha Abdi and Cameron walk along Bowles ave about to cross the bridge over the South Platte River
Salma kneels down to prepare her rocket on the launcher for the highest and the straightest launch!
His team the Ravenous Guinea Pigs (RGP) watches as Cameron runs his leg of the Egg Relay on Game Day
Martin demonstrates how to play Goal Ball at Western Welcome Week
Two women pass a large ball with perforations back and forth in the gym
Two visitors test out the goal ball at our 2016 tour.
Group shot Making Connections Employment Seminar 2018
Ann explores tactile art with a group of blind students at the Denver Art Museum
Alexandra Hall gives the Keynote address at the Career and College Seminar
Chaz Davis (right) explores a 3D printing of the iconic NCAR building with one of the NCAR hosts
A large gathering along the tables at the exhibit hall at the Career and College Seminar
Julie at bat with the ball in mid air after the pitch
Julie takes a swing at the Beep Baseball at the NF Challenge Olympic Day 2017
Tactile art at the Denver Art Museum
Hands explore a tactile image at the Denver Art Museum. A sign reads: OK to Touch
Two smiling women with arms around one another, holding white canes
Duncan and Julie hold white canes with arms around each other’s shoulders before the parade starts.
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Our Programs
Independence Training Program for Adults
Our Independence Training Program (ITP) is designed for blind adults (18 years of age and older). Typically students complete the program in six to nine months while residing in nearby McGeorge Mountain Terrace apartments, which are owned by the Center. Participants not only build the skills that they need to be independent, but also focus on gaining confidence and belief in themselves as blind people
FAQ for Prospective Students
Program Areas
- Braille
- Cane Travel
- Home Management
- Technology
- Woodshop & Home Maintenance
- Challenge Recreation
- Discussion Groups on Blindness
Additional Rotating Classes
- Art
- College Prep
- Career Exploration
- Gardening
- Resume Writing
- Martial Arts
- Sewing
- Yoga
✓ Contact us for more information or to learn how to participate in our program
Youth Programs
Youth Programs Video
Year-round Youth Programs
- October 14, 2023, All day: Chatfield Farms Corn Maze
- November 11, 2023, All day: Learn essential outdoor skills
- December 9, 2023, All day: Annual Holiday Party with Denver Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado
You won’t want your kids to miss it!
✓ Contact us for more information or to learn how to participate in our program
Senior Programs
Senior Programs Video
The Colorado Center for the Blind works to change the experience of older blind and visually impaired persons from frustration to independence. With education and training seniors can and do obtain the skills and confidence necessary to stay in their own homes and continue be contributing members of their communities.
✓ Contact us for more information or to learn how to participate in our program
Training for Professionals on Blindness
Christie going down the stairs for the 1st time with a cane and wearing sleepshades
Christie walking with her cane in front of the CCB street sign
Kenny chopping apples
Kenny (forground) Arron (background) peeling apples
Scott walking with a cane through the front lobby
A woman in sleepshades slides a batch of cookies into the oven
Scott walking with his cane in front of the CCB street sign
Aaron mixing ingredients in the kitchen
Scott and Christie walking with canes and sleepshades in front of the CCB building
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Our Professional Training Seminars include information about causes of blindness, alternative techniques used successfully by blind people, an introduction to sleepshades and their use with a white cane or in preparing lunch, and we spend time talking about the myths of blindness as well.
✓ Contact us for more information or to learn how to participate in our program