Kris Magnussen from Ledge Light Health District discussed emergency preparedness for individuals who are visually impaired or blind. She covered Emergency Support Functions (ESFs), highlighting how various groups, like Transportation, Communication, Firefighting, and Public Health, keep everyone informed before and after an emergency. Members were advised to inform their town emergency manager of any disabilities. Key vulnerability risks, such as floods, weather, and pandemics, were identified and prioritized. Methods of receiving alerts, whether by phone, text, or social media, were discussed, along with disaster preparedness tips. It’s crucial to know what essentials to take, such as medicine, hearing aids, personal papers, prescriptions, and food supplies. Kris provided some links to some resources:  ready.gov, FEMA.gov, and Sign up for CT Alerts.

Sixteen attendees, both in person and on Zoom, had some good questions for our host to take back and work on, too. Lunch was chef salad, rolls, fruit, and eclairs.

Twenty members enjoyed a BBQ picnic before cheering the Sea Unicorns to an exciting win on June 6. The Sea Unicorns, down 2-1 in the bottom of the 8th, got a runner on base, who stole second and reached third on a hit. With runners on 1st and 3rd, an infield out followed. The next batter hit a triple, scoring 2 runs. In the 9th, the Sea Unicorns’ relief pitcher struck out the first batter, allowed a runner on first, then struck out the last two batters. The Sea Unicorns won 3-2!

And the weather cooperated. It did not “rain on Wendy’s parade.”

The South East CT Community Center of the Blind is pleased to announce the addition of a new member to our Board of Directors. Pat Tavares, a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist employed at BESB (Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind), brings a wealth of experience in Vision Studies and Occupational Therapy.

During her visits to the Center as part of BESB, Pat was impressed by the services we offer to the community, including our low-vision store, various services, and events. She found our members to be warm, welcoming, and enthusiastic. The cheerful and supportive environment inspired Pat to propose leading an introductory basic braille program at our Center. This setting provides an ideal venue for this pilot program from BESB, fostering collaboration and strengthening the working relationship between our two organizations.

We are delighted to welcome Pat and look forward to her contributions in building a stronger connection between BESB and our Center, ultimately reaching more individuals and providing new programs and opportunities for our members.

Today’s Lunch & Learn session was very informative! We had 18 members in attendance at the Center. Christine Telford, the regional representative for all of New England from the Helen Keller National Center for DeafBlind, discussed their services, modified guiding techniques, and communication strategies for working with the deafblind community. She demonstrated how to approach a deafblind person and use different techniques for various situations.

Christine also shared valuable resources such as the OKO App, an AI-powered navigation app for people with disabilities. Additionally, she expressed interest in returning to train our members on haptic communication, a form of non-verbal communication through touch.

Lunch included a selection of deli meats, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes on bulky rolls, accompanied by watermelon, chips, and cookies.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 1, 2024
Media Contact: Kevin Harkins
860 886-0762
South East Connecticut Community Center of the Blind
www.centeroftheblind.com

The South East Connecticut Community Center of the Blind is looking to hire a new Executive Director to serve as it’s Chief Operating Officer. The Center is a 501C3 corporation serving the social, educational and advocacy needs of blind and visually impaired people in our region. The position is part-time, ideal for the applicant who is detail oriented and has experience interacting with persons with disabilities. Those wishing to apply for the position should visit www.centeroftheblind.com.

“While compensation for this position is modest, the rewards associated with helping the blind to maintain productive, independent lifestyles are immeasurable”, said the Center’s president, Scott Skinner.

The SE CT Community Center of the Blind was founded in 1972 and coordinates monthly dinners, lunch & learn programs, field trips, support groups, braille classes, and a host of other activities and services
for members. A small retail area features magnifiers and other aids for the low vision and blind.

The Center’s current Executive Director, Wendy Lusk, has been involved with the organization for nearly forty years, and plans to continue on as an active member, while traveling and enjoying retirement with her husband.

To learn more about the South East CT Community Center of the Blind or to complete an application, visit www.centeroftheblind.com.

Zoom Meetings! The Center is making it easier for you to attend our Lunch & Learn events from the comfort of your home. In the upcoming months, we’re lining up a lineup of highly informative speakers from the blind community. There’s a wealth of knowledge to glean from them, and you’ll have the chance to pose questions during these sessions. Recognizing transportation as a significant challenge for many of our members, we’re extending the option to dial in or join via Zoom for these meetings. Invitations are sent via email, containing either a Zoom link or a dial-in number. Whether you’re unable to join us in person or prefer the convenience of Zoom, please consider joining our next Lunch & Learn session.

The craft session this month offered a truly special experience for everyone involved. Colleen Hains collaborated with the Center to host this workshop as part of a grant project she was overseeing. Each participant received a vision-impaired painting kit, which included an array of tactile materials like buttons, cotton, wood, and plastic. Utilizing these materials, artists crafted their unique scenes and then applied paint to bring their visions to life.

Due to popularity of this Lunch & Learn with CT National Federation for the Blind, we moved to a larger venue. Thrive55+ in Groton kindly provided space. Fifteen individuals were present, including six representatives from NFB and three joining via Zoom.

NFB provided insights into their diverse range of offerings, spanning scholarships, technology grants, and membership fees. They also highlighted their prominent fundraising event, the Birdies for Charity Fundraiser, affiliated with the Travelers Golf Tournament in Hartford, CT. We plan to continue networking and resource sharing with CT-NFB.

Lunch was served at the Thrive 55 Cafe, featuring a variety of deli sandwiches and wraps, salads, and desserts for everyone to enjoy.

Matt Geeza, Director of CT Library Accessible Books (CT-LAB), gave an excellent presentation on their services for individuals who are blind, have low vision, are print-challenged, or have physical disabilities, covering various reading aids like digital readers, the BARD app, and Braille books—all free with an approved application. This marked the Center’s first Zoom Lunch & Learn, attended by 16 people, with a lunch catered by Taqueria Cinco featuring tacos, quesadillas, and a birthday cake by Martina.

For more information, contact CT-LAB at 860-702-2220, or ask Tammy or Wendy. Interested in audiobooks? Try them for free, delivered via US Mail.

15 members, family, and friends had a ball at the Norwich Bowling Alley last month. The bowling alley is not ADA-accessible but we managed. After we all bowled 2 games, we had lunch at 36 Town Grill in Norwich. Jim Harmon popped in for a visit while he was up from Florida.