Are you experiencing vision loss? At the Colorado Center for the Blind, we believe that this does not need to limit you from leading a full and active life. We have designed our Older Blind Program to help you remain independent. Our staff, both blind and sighted, have the belief and expertise to help you change the way you think about blindness.
Senior Programs Video
Learn about our Older Blind Programs from the participants in this Video
Achieve Success Through Independent Living
We will work with you in your home or at the Center to teach you how to:
Prepare meals
Go grocery shopping
Label food and appliances
Access audio books and newspapers
Use cellphones and tablets
Organize your home effectively
Use Braille and large print
The Colorado Center for the Blind will make a difference in your life!
Older visually impaired individuals often have difficulty with independent living skills necessary to stay in their home. However, with training, these seniors can continue to be fully independent in their home environment. Staff of the Colorado Center for the Blind provides instruction in seniors’ homes in the areas of:
Support Groups: Shared Successes
We recognize that losing your vision is not easy. In our support groups, you will be encouraged by others who have dealt with their blindness in a positive way. We have groups that meet weekly for discussion, classes, education, support and fun! These groups take place virtually, at the Center and in the community. Family members are encouraged to attend and participate.
Weekly Support Groups
Tuesdays
At the Center
10:00 am – 11:30 am
Wednesdays
Virtual via Zoom
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Fridays
Virtual via Zoom
10:00 am – 11:30 am
Coming to the CCB group was the best thing we ever did. It just gave us hope. This is the most positive group you’ll ever meet.” Berni, family member of a blind senior
Looking down the line at the food table at the Senior Christmas Party – Anahit is serving and Gary is holding a a nice plate full of goodies
A group of a dozen seniors along with CCB staff work on making sugar scrub
Diane witha group of seniors enjoying ice cream
A young woman in line with three seniors exercising
Jessica of WE Fit Wellness got our Tuesday Seniors’ group moving this week.
Duncan stands in front of a large group of Seniors at the CCB Christmas party while people introduce themselves
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Technology Training: Open Up Your World!
Too often it is easy to feel that use of technology is out of reach. By using specialized techniques and apps, you will be able to use smart phones, email, access the Internet and much more!
Older Blind Student wearing learning shades uses her smart phone
Four Seniors with earphones listen intently, pocket-sized receivers on the table in front of them.
Members of the Tuesday Senior group listen intently to the discussion at a recent meeting. While the three ladies use the familiar over-the-ear headphones, John is wearing a single earphone.
Senior Using an iPhone for Taking Notes
Chris and a student work with using VoiceOver on their iPhones
Wayne and Stephanie work on phone skills in the lobby
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Independent Cane Travel: Get Out and See the World!
So you’ve given up your car; you don’t need to give up your freedom. We will teach you how to travel safely, use a white cane, and access various forms of transportation.
One of the In Charge students approaches the Center Sidewalk
Saray stands with her left foot against the line just after releasing her orange ball, which is still in the air hurtling toward the pins.
Two students use their white canes to as they go to an upstais office at the Center
seven people go out the front door with white canes
Senior students and staff head out to get some groceries. Left to right: Sheila, Anahit, Dianne H., Wayne, Ralph L., Marianne and Petr.
Holly and Petr returning to the Center after a Cane Travel lesson
Older Blind group rides the Denver Trolley
Three blind people with white canes pose before a dramatic piece made by a blind ACC student
Shon, Sandy and Saray pose in front of a piece with ceramic and photographs that recreates an automobile accident that caused the artist’s blindness.
Cane tucked under his right arm, Andrew leans forward after his left-handed release. The ball speeds down the lane about to hit the pins.
Senior learning to use the cane with stairs
Stefanie approaches the entrance of the Center with During the 2024 In Charge Event
Two In Charge students walk in fron of the Apartments nearing the final curve before the Center sidewalk
Cane tucked under his right arm, Andrew leans forward after his left-handed release. The ball speeds down the lane toward 3 standing pins.
Marc walks ahead of In Charge Student as they head back to the Center
Rose and Dishon cross the driveway to the apartment garage
Laurie uses a pencil grip on her cane and takes her first step down the stairs – Petr instructing
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.
Driver Phil with white cane
Phil has been driving for our older blind staff as far back as 2014, ferrying them to support groups and home visits across the metro area. He’s pictured here after the parade with the white cane he walked with in the parade, as all of our sighted colleagues do. They do it out a sense of solidarity, but we ask them to do so because they sometimes get dirty looks from parade-watchers for not helping the blind people enough, and we don’t want them to be subjected to hostile stares. (grin)
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.
Holding his green ball in place at the top of the angled ramp, John calls his shot as he gestures with his right hand. Dale approaches with his white cane and wearing an oxygen backpack , ready to take his turn.
Stefanie walks behind her student around the curve near the Center sidewalk During In Charge Event
Wayne works with Judy under sleepshades outside the front of the Center showing her how to hold the cane and get good feedback from the edge of the sidewalk and the grassy area
Student and Anne walk and talk while smiling along the sidewalk angling back from Prince st. Stefanie and ??? are in the distant background
Christie going down the stairs for the 1st time with a cane and wearing sleepshades
Stefanie demonstrates correct white cane grip, student tactilly confirms method
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Taking Charge Program: Comprehensive Training
This exciting, multi-day program will give you the confidence you need to remain independent. Included are classes in Braille, cane travel, technology and home management. Together with a small group of your peers, you will learn new skills and challenge yourself in a supportive atmosphere. You will spend several days in classes and live in nearby student apartments or attend our day program.
The Taking Charge Program gave me the confidence I needed to get out of my house and do the things I had given up, like grocery shopping and going to church.” Marie, age 67
In Charge Students Sewing with Brittany
Student works in the kitchen with a mixing bowl
Two of the In Charge students look over the components of bird houses in the shop
Student works in the kitchen with a mixing bowl
Two In Charge Students push a shopping cart at the grocery store and stop to work with their shopping Assistant near the olives
One of the In Charge students hammers a nail into the edge of a board to make a bird house
Anne and two students work on Braille using muffin tins and tennis balls
One of the In Charge students hammers a nail into the roof of a nearly completed bird house
Dan works with three In Charge students on making bird houses in the shop
Dan holds two boards in place while an In Charge student hammers a nail into the components of a bird house while another student observes
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To receive Older Blind Services, you must be 55 years of age or older.
