(Editor’s Note: We don’t blame you for wondering what is up with our summer programs for youth. The coronavirus and the subsequent shutdown orders put us into a scramble, affecting not only our youth programs, but seniors and the Independence Training Program, too. Here’s an announcement from our Youth Services Director Martin Becerra-Miranda that should clear things up.)
Honestly, it is always one of the most exciting times of the year at the Colorado Center for the Blind, and we’ve been holding summer youth training for almost all of our existence. We held our first Summer Program for youth in 1991. Since then, we have provided instruction for countless blind youth in the areas of Braille, Cane Travel, Home Management, Access Technology, Self-Advocacy, Employment, College Readiness, STEM, Challenge Rec (rock climbing and whitewater rafting), and, most importantly, a positive philosophy about blindness.
This spring seemed no different at first. We were all certain that this would indeed be the best summer program yet. We were excited about the many blind youth who had applied and we couldn’t wait to meet them. And we had nearly finished hiring our summer staff – a group of extraordinary young blind adults. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic and circumstances surrounding it, we came to the sad conclusion that we could not responsibly hold our residential summer programs this year.
So, we’re going virtual for 2020 on the Zoom platform! And although it will be a different version of our typical face-to-face Summer Programs, this will be a series of virtual sessions blind youth will not want to miss.
Starting on Tuesday, June 16 and continuing through Thursday, July 30 (excluding the week of July 13, when the National Federation of the Blind’s 2020 Convention will be held virtually), the Colorado Center for the Blind will provide interactive, hands-on, skill building sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00 – 3:30 pm MDT. The 12 sessions will be split up into 4 categories: Self-Advocacy, STEM, College Readiness and Employment. The Self-Advocacy and STEM workshops will be 2 sessions each, and the College Readiness and Employment workshops will be 4 sessions each.
We are thrilled to be offering this opportunity to blind students ages 13 to 21. All courses will be free. Pre-registration is required. If you are interested in participating or would like additional information, please contact Martin Becerra-Miranda at mbecerra@cocenter.org.
Read more details about our 2020 Virtual Summer Sessions.
Our 2020 Virtual Summer Sessions
Dates and Times
Self-Advocacy 101
• June 16 & 18, 2020
• 2:00 – 3:30 pm MDT
STEM: A Hands-On Approach
• June 23 & 25, 2020
• 2:00 – 3:30 pm MDT
College Readiness: Whether Virtual or In-Person
• June 30, July 2, 7, & 9, 2020
• 2:00 – 3:30 pm MDT
Employment: Disabilities and the New Workplace Landscape
• July 21, 23, 28, & 30, 2020
• 2:00 – 3:30 pm MDT