I want to take a moment to thank everyone who supports the work that we do at the Colorado Center for the Blind. For, without your caring, dedication, and support, we would not have been able to do so much in the last year.
We again had our most successful Colorado Gives Day. We continue to be moved and humbled by this generosity that supports our programs. We believe that blind people can do anything, and we are thankful that you believe in us.
Here are some 2024 highlights I would like to share with you:
The Taking Charge Program
In April, six women in our Older Blind program participated in our week-long residential intensive training program. They stayed at our student apartments and took the bus to the center each day. They had classes in cooking, technology, woodshop, cane travel, and Braille.
On their last day, they shared their thoughts:
- Olga said that she was inspired and is excited to go skiing once more. She also knows now that she can go hiking again.
- Denise said, “Confidence makes it possible to do anything.” She continues to learn Braille and knows that she does not need to limit herself because she is legally blind and has a hearing loss.
- Marcy loved getting out and traveling with her white cane. She knows she can go places by herself.
- Rose had never used a cane before coming to the program. She realized that the cane was the key to her independence and couldn’t wait to go for walks in her neighborhood.
- Teri decided that she needed nine months of training to really gain her independence. She started in our 9-month Independence Training Program earlier this fall.
- Kari was looking forward to kayaking. Learning Braille was a highlight of the week’s training. She planned to challenge herself in order to do more.
It’s obvious that just one week spent around our positive blind instructors changes lives. And witnessing the resilience and determination of Taking Charge students like these six women continues to inspire us.
Family Retreat
In May, several families who have blind kids and many of our staff members spent a weekend together in Estes Park. Parents were given a cane and learning shades and received instruction in traveling with the cane. Blind kids participated in a wide array of activities including an archaeological hike and building a fire.
The blind staff were role models not only to the blind kids, but also to their parents and siblings. They saw us cooking, cleaning, traveling, and parenting. The parents of blind kids could see for themselves how blind people can be self-sufficient.
This retreat far surpassed our hopes. We have scheduled the second annual retreat for May, again in Estes Park, and are excited to meet with new parents and blind children and renew relationships with those we already know!
Independence Training Program
In the past two months, several students have graduated from our program.
- Ciara has her own apartment in Littleton and a job.
- Heather knows that she can easily work in the healthcare industry again.
- Marty will find a job in Georgia and knows that she does not need to depend upon others.
- Dion will look for work in Missouri.
- ZjeQuan plans to attend college and he never thought he could do this before.
- Nina is completing her GED and will find work.
Each one of these graduates has gained belief in themselves as a blind person. They know that they can live exciting lives and that their blindness will not be a barrier for them.
Each New Year is full of possibilities, and I am looking forward to 2025. We will keep providing high-quality training that teaches the skills of independence to blind people. We have new ideas and programs in development and are excited to implement them.
Again, we appreciate all of you and wish each of you a Happy New Year!
Julie Deden
Executive Director
The Colorado Center for the Blind is a training center and community of blind and low vision people, proudly affiliated with the National Federation of the Blind.
We believe blind people can do anything. Every day, we encourage and challenge each student—and they come to understand their potential as they build the skills and confidence to live the life they 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.