General Colorado Center Information

The “Shared Visions” exhibit at Arapahoe Community College’s Colorado Gallery of the Arts on November 19 and 20 was a big success, featuring numerous multi-media and very tactile paintings by students in Nathan Abels’ painting classes, as well as pottery pieces from joint activities between Center students in Ann Cunningham’s art classes here and those in classes taught by Katie Caron, Ceramics Coordinator at ACC.

In addition, the cooperative activities and exhibit were featured on the Breaking Blind YouTube channel in two videos. See what Maureen has to say and what she experiences:

The national Federation of the Blind turns 75 today!

It’s only a month away – Colorado Gives Day 2015, and a great opportunity to support our programs and philosophy at the Colorado Center for the Blind!

You know that we don’t just teach blindness skills, as important as they are, but aim for that belief in those blindness skills that lead to confidence and self-reliance.

Whether it’s our Seniors, Youth or Independence Training Programs, those extras like Challenge Recreation, Art, our special emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), or attending the largest annual gathering of the blind in the world – the National Federation of the Blind Convention – your donation can make the difference!

For nearly two decades, Colorado artist Ann Cunningham has been teaching art classes at the Colorado Center for the Blind. Initially drawn to us because she was curious about how blind people experience art (such as the stone carvings she produces), she has become one of North America’s leading teachers, advocates and innovators with respect to access to the arts for the blind – both as observers and creators.

Natalia at the wheel in the ceramics studio on the ACC campus.

Zach’s day was Wednesday, October 28, a day to celebrate what he now “does” after nine months of training at the Center, and the confidence he has as a blind person for the things he will do in the future. The photo of him ringing his Freedom Bell above shows just how ready he was for that celebration.

Zach fought for nearly two years to get funding to come to the Center from Wisconsin. The real work started when he got here early this year, however.

When it came to the kitchen, Zach now has a long list of things he does and can do.

“You had a whole list of ‘I can’ts,’ Maureen, his Home Management Instructor, reminded him. “but you’ve turned that all around.. You can Mince and chop and do all the things you thought you weren’t going to be able to do – I’m so proud of you.”

We are excited about our new partnership with Karate Denver’s in Littleton. Martial Arts has long been a part of our Independence Training Program (ITP), and we’ve included classes in our Summer Youth and Senior Programs as well.

Like everything we teach and do at the Center, it really comes down to confidence, but of course there are other benefits – fitness, balance, awareness of one’s surroundings and learning to recognize where you are in relation to others and objects.

Our first class with Karate Denver started up and will meet for six Tuesdays in our gym. We appreciate Jason and Rachel coming to the Center every week to work with our students.

Just watch those kicks if you go into the gym!

Haylee might have been a little stressed out as she approached her graduation day, but to all outward appearances, she made it all look seamless, right down to her quick change of outfits prior to giving a polished and well-researched speech after cooking all day.

Haylee first came to the Center for our summer program in 2014, just after her high school graduation. Always a bundle of fun – riding her skate board, shooting baskets, and a mean goal baller – she wasn’t crazy about carrying a white cane at first.

“Haylee has always taken my arm when we went places together,” her sister Kaitlynd told us at the Bell Ceremony. “But the first time I came to visit her here I said ‘Take my arm,’” and she said “No, I have my cane and I’ll just walk with you.”

We were delighted to host six staff members from the Wyoming Independent Living (WIL) Visually Impaired Program (VIP), which provides services for Older individuals who are Blind across Wyoming for a two-day professional training on blindness. Duncan, Wayne, Anahit and Petr gave a thorough overview of blindness and aging, as well as technology, Braille, cane travel and cooking – all of it under sleep shades.

WIL has offices across the state, and this group represented all four corners of our neighbor to the north – including Laramie, Gillette, Wheatland, Casper and Cheyenne. Every one of them is a good hand, and blind seniors in the far-flung corners of the Cowboy State are lucky to work with any one of them.

“This was a very committed and engaged group,” said Duncan.

The Center’s Senior Services staff coordinates and presents our Training for Professionals on Blindness and training sessions can be customized for each group.

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.

A couple of weeks ago Student and Senior Services Specialist Wayne Marshall presented this question to our Independence Training Program (ITP) students as part of Wayne’s Wednesday Word of the Week:

Hey, there’s something in the air today, the first day of October!

It’s coming from the kitchens here at the Center.

Here’s the menu of what students are preparing this morning … and it’s just the morning class:

• Spaghetti bolognese
• ravioli with chorizo sauce & garlic bread
• Homemade pepperoni lovers pizza
• broiled lemon prawns with mediterranean salad
• chicken fried steak and homemade mac and cheese

Do ya think it smells great around here?