AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND OF COLORADO INC

OUTREACH INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM/SERVICE AREAS: -VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE'S FAIR - "VIP" FAIRS ARE HELD TO PROVIDE RESOURCES AND EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS TO ASSIST PEOPLE WHO ARE B/VI IN CONTINUING TO LIVE AS INDEPENDENTLY AS POSSIBLE. THE FAIR INCLUDES SPEAKERS FROM SOCIAL SERVICES, FORMER CLIENTS, EXPERTS/MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL, AND OTHERS PROVIDING INFORMATION ABOUT THE TYPES OF SERVICES AVAILABLE AS WELL AS WORKSHOPS ABOUT EYE DISEASE, MAINTAINING GOOD HEALTH PRACTICES AND SELF-CARE FOR THOSE WITH EYE DISEASE. THE RESOURCE FAIR ALSO FEATURES A WIDE VARIETY OF EXHIBITORS OFFERING INFORMATION ON ADAPTIVE AIDS, TECHNOLOGY, EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES. SMALLER WORKSHOPS WITH A SIMILAR FORMAT ARE ALSO HELD IN SENIOR CENTERS/LIVING FACILITIES. A3 HAS NOW FORMED A PARTNERSHIP WITH KAISER PERMANENTE AND WORKING IN THEIR FACILITIES RELATIVE TO THIS WORKSHOPS PROVIDING AT LEAST 4 OR 5 WORKSHOPS A YEAR. EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES - IN ADDITION TO OUR VIP FAIRS, A3 OFFERS OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS AND THE COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND THE CAUSES OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AND BLINDNESS AND HOW INDEPENDENCE CAN BE MAINTAINED WITH VISION LOSS. WE PARTICIPATE IN MANY PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS AS WELL AS EVENTS AT OTHER AGENCIES. PUBLIC AWARENESS & ADVOCACY - PRESENTATIONS TO SERVICE CLUBS, SCHOOLS, EMPLOYERS, ETC. PROVIDE VENUES FOR A3, ALONG WITH PRESENTATIONS TO SERVICE CLUBS, SCHOOLS,EMPLOYERS, ETC. PROVIDE VENUES FOR A3 TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE ISSUES FACING PEOPLE WHO ARE B/VI. WE ADVOCATE TO PROVIDE FOR MORE ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITIES, REDUCE OPPRESSION AND DISCRIMINATION, AND FOSTER INDEPENDENCE AND FREEDOM.