Below are various news clips that may have been associated with events that have taken place over the past year.
Haymakers String Band Benefit Concert – Thursday, July 25, 2024
The National Federation of the Blind of Colorado presented an exciting evening of traditional and original acoustic music as the Haymakers performed a lively set, including songs from their two 2023 releases: “100 Years of Hank” and “Wakonda Flyer.”
The Haymakers takes the concept of the string band and plugs it into a broad swath of acoustic music that stretches from Americana to bluegrass, from Appalachian folk music to bluesy western swing, and even into the realm of the jam band thanks to superb musicianship. Dustin Arbuckle (vocals/harmonica), Tom Page (vocals/guitar), Anthony Trupia (mandolin/vocals), and Caleb Drummond (bass/vocals) lock into an array of grooves that go in and outside the box of traditional acoustic music. The Wichita, Kansas-based group formed in 2012 and gradually honed their sound through steady gigs around the Sunflower State before releasing their debut, self-titled album in 2017. Since then, the band has toured steadily throughout the Midwest and Colorado, playing everywhere from festivals to rowdy bars to living rooms. A great time was had by all who attended!
Guide Dogs & Whiskey – This special fundraising event was held on Saturday August 10, 2024. Attendees had the opportunity to learn the real story about how blind people navigate life using these amazing animals. They enjoy a presentation from Michael Hingson, who is the author of the NY Times best-selling book Thunder Dog. Mike recounted his harrowing experience in the World Trade Center on 9/11. He and his faithful guide dog, Roselle, escaped from the 80th floor of the World Trade Center.
They also enjoyed meeting the puppies and the dedicated families who raise them before they move on to training at a school and being placed with a blind handler.
There were opportunities to go on Juno Walks, which is an exercise that simulates travel with a guide dog and Talnua’s creative and friendly staff was on hand to make their signature cocktails.
6 Dot Dash – Saturday August 24, 2024
The Colorado Center for the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado held their 8th annual 6 Dot Dash, which has become a landmark community event combining a 5k race with a fun festival atmosphere. The 6 Dot Dash is a 5k race to promote Braille Literacy for blind children, scholarships for blind college students, and skills training grounded in the high expectations that lead to success. All of the proceeds go to support our scholarship and youth programs of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado.
The race kicked off at 9am from the Colorado Center for the Blind. Our family festival is always a fun-filled event with a dynamic expo, a food truck hosted by Dirt Coffee, a bounce house, activities for the kids, an exciting expo that provided fantastic resources, food, free samples, and family fun, and our very popular blind beer tasting! The day had something for everyone!
Mile High Chapter Christmas Party!
This event was held Thursday, January 11, 2025 was a belated but festive holiday celebration! In the beautiful Art District.
Washington Seminar - Monday, February 3, through Thursday, February 6, 2025, at the Holiday Inn Washington Capitol – National Mall
Each year, National Federation of the Blind members convene in Washington, DC to learn about and advocate for legislative initiatives that will improve the lives of blind Americans. Approximately three legislative initiatives are chosen for priority attention each year and following are the issues that our members took to our leadership on Capitol Hill this past February.
- The Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act. This creates clarity about accessibility in the digital areas that we all use every day to tackle the things that we need to do. Our goal with this legislation is to end inaccessibility in websites and software applications for Americans with disabilities. This law would create clarity around accessibility and what it means in the digital environment.
- The Medical Device Non-Visual Accessibility Act. And I know that many of you are familiar with this because it's something that you deal with on a daily basis, just like web accessibility. This bill would make sure that as we have advanced digital interfaces for medical devices that are meant to be used in the home, that there is a requirement specifically for non-visual access. This bill would help make sure that the laws keep up with the tremendous advancement we've seen in using technology to empower people to better manage their healthcare in their homes.
- The Blind Americans Return to Work Act. This addresses a long-term issue that we have been concerned about. It hasn't always been a priority in Congress for us, but we do believe that there is still a good opportunity to make sure that we amend the current Social Security law to get rid of the policies that create a work disincentive because of the earnings cliff that exists.
We also continued to promote the Access Technology Affordability Act, which would create a refundable tax credit. We've gotten great support on that bill in Congress. We do know that tax reform is going to be a topic in the next Congress, and we have a number of times been very close to having our bill included in tax efforts or other omnibus bills that have been discussed over the previous five plus years. So, we're confident that that will come to the front again.
And then we are trying to keep equal access in the emerging area of autonomous vehicles at the forefront in Congress. We know that there is a lot of discussion, will be a lot of discussion about this topic. And as a framework is set by Congress, we want to make sure that accessibility is included.
Day at the Capitol – February 18, 2025
We had over fifty NFB of Colorado affiliate members and Colorado Center for the Blind staff and students in attendance and after a brief meeting to discuss our legislative agenda, we split up into several groups and spent time delivering packets of information to the offices of our legislative leaders.
Following is our 2025 Legislative Agenda.
- Maintain access to critical news sources for blind Coloradans through funding for NFB-Newsline®
- Empanel an interim study committee to hold public hearings to discover and highlight the systemic and rampant discrimination against blind guide dog users by rideshare drivers, and to develop a legislative solution.
- We include a fact sheet on federal laws and funded programs which are critical to blind Coloradans.
Mile High’s 3rd Annual Chili Cook off Palooza was a sizzling success held on February 22, 2025 at Broadway Shot Spot
Thank you to all the cookers and tasters! Congrats to the at Place winner Tyler Hamel, 2nd place Shon Spears and 3rd Place Ileen Gallegos and people’s choice was awarded to Derrick Adamson.
NFB of Colorado Roadshow highlights
La Junta – April 17, 2025, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Thirteen La Junta locals attended, and we had three NFB of Colorado leaders in attendance. There were two more meetings with these folks and hopefully there will be a third in September.
They were shown technology, and they discussed resources for the blind and showed them how to use ScriptTalk and other adaptable equipment. They talked about NFB Newsline, how a blind person can read a crochet pattern. They also talked about white cane use and how to use a guide dog.
Wild West Chapter Cinco de Mayo and Kentucky Derby fun! Saturday, May 3rd, from 2 p.m. till 6. The Kentucky Derby started at exactly 4:57, so folks were invited to come in time for the big horse race! The gathering was held at The Lakewood Grill, at 8100 W Colfax in Lakewood.
Wild West did some really fun stuff for the Kentucky Derby and Tim Keenan who had just attended the Glide Demo Day at the CCB and gave a little recap.
Colorado Springs Roadshow – Saturday May 17, 2025
The National Federation of the Blind of Colorado Empowerment in Focus NFBCO Roadshow/Resource Fair was held from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at ChangeLine located at 601 N Nevada Ave.
Attendees had the opportunity to discover resources and strategies to brighten lives. This event was for individuals with blindness or low vision, families, and professionals. Attendees explored technology, connected with community, and found support.