Steak Walk
On June 12th, eight BLIND, Inc. students, instructors, and friends walked from the center to Joyce and Tom Scanlans' house under sleep shades. The walk was approximately six miles. It was a beautiful day and Joyce and Tom had a delicious meal complete with thick and juicy steaks waiting for them when they arrived. Everyone had a great time, got some excellent cane travel practice, and a good bit of exercise. Our thanks to Tom and Joyce for their wonderful hospitality.
String Ball Season Open
With the return of fine weather came the return of BLIND, Inc.'s home-grown game of string ball. This derivation of softball developed by BLIND, Inc. staff and students has been evolving and growing since 2006. The game involves hitting a softball traveling down a set of cords. The ball makes noice as it travels and the batter wears sleep shades and uses the sound to hit the ball. The ball can reach high speeds and it is a challenging game that can be enjoyed completely without vision and played without any sighted assistance. We have now switched from rope to aircraft cable and the pitcher throws the ball down the cable to the waiting batter. We have had several pretty exciting games and the new and returning players are having a great time. Our director, Shawn Mayo, has even earned the nickname "clutch" for her clutch hitting in the bottom of the ninth.
New Audio
Listen to a speech given by a BLIND, Inc. student at a recent NFB of MN convention.
Seniors Possibilities Fair
On Monday, May 5th, BLIND, Inc., the NFB of Minnesota and State Services for the Blind hosted a Possibilities Fair for Seniors. Demonstration stations included speech output devices, practice sessions on getting around independently and safely, and techniques for the kitchen as well as a display of helpful aids and devices available to make life more accessible. Participants learned about books on tape and newspapers over the telephone, talking computers, and magnification devices. The fair also included helpful hints about losing vision and enjoying life. There was a mix of nonprofit partners who had an array of information, demonstrations, and displays for the seniors to enjoy. There was an inspiring keynote address by Barbara Pierce who spoke about how seniors who are losing vision can face this challenge and continue to be active and enjoy life. The event was well attended and people said that they found it positive and helpful. We hope to make this an annual event.
Timberwolves Award Grant to BLIND, Inc.
On March 2nd, The Minnesota Timberwolves NBA basketball team honored BLIND, Inc. as part of its Read To Achieve month. This program provides grants to promote literacy among children. Several Buddy Program staff and students went down onto the floor to be recognized before the game. Many other staff, adult program students, and supporters attended the game to support the program and cheer on the T-Wolves. We are very grateful to the Timberwolves' FastBreak Foundationfor their support. We appreciate their willingness to recognize that literacy is important for everyone and that Braille literacy is an extremely important tool for achievement for blind people.
Donation Page Now Online
Visit our new make a donation page to make a donation to support our programs.