Take Charge of Your Life!
Are you experiencing vision loss? At the Colorado Center for the Blind, we believe that this does not need to limit you from leading a full and active life. We have designed our Older Blind Program to help you remain independent. Our staff, both blind and sighted, have the belief and expertise to help you change the way you think about blindness.
For more information on Older Blind Services in Colorado, contact:
Senior Programs Video:
Achieve Success Through Independent Living
We will work with you in your home or at the Center to teach you how to:
- Prepare meals
- Go grocery shopping
- Label food and appliances
- Access audio books and newspapers
- Use cellphones and tablets
- Organize your home effectively
- Use Braille and large print
The Colorado Center for the Blind will make a difference in your life!
Older visually impaired individuals often have difficulty with independent living skills necessary to stay in their home. However, with training, these seniors can continue to be fully independent in their home environment. Staff of the Colorado Center for the Blind provides instruction in seniors’ homes in the areas of:
Support Groups: Shared Successes
We recognize that losing your vision is not easy. In our support groups, you will be encouraged by others who have dealt with their blindness in a positive way. We have groups that meet weekly for discussion, classes, education, support and fun! These groups take place virtually, at the Center, and in the community. Family members are encouraged to attend and participate.
Weekly Support Groups:
Coming to the CCB group was the best thing we ever did. It just gave us hope. This is the most positive group you’ll ever meet.” Berni, family member of a blind senior
A group of a dozen seniors along with CCB staff work on making sugar scrub
Technology Training: Open Up Your World!
Too often it is easy to feel that use of technology is out of reach. By using specialized techniques and apps, you will be able to use smart phones, email, access the Internet and much more!
Members of the Tuesday Older Blind 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.
Independent Cane Travel: Get Out and See the World!
So you’ve given up your car; you don’t need to give up your freedom. We will teach you how to travel safely, use a white cane, and access various forms of transportation.
Kathy quickly found her level using a white cane in one hand and support cane in the other. And she and her instructor Stephanie B took full advantage of the fall afternoon out front at the center.
Taking Charge Program: Comprehensive Training
This exciting, multi-day program will give you the confidence you need to remain independent. Included are classes in Braille, cane travel, technology and home management. Together with a small group of your peers, you will learn new skills and challenge yourself in a supportive atmosphere. You will spend several days in classes and live in nearby student apartments or attend our day program.
Seniors in the Kitchen - Ralph fixes a plate of sliced cheese while Sheila slices tomatoes for a sanwitch bar
The Taking Charge Program gave me the confidence I needed to get out of my house and do the things I had given up, like grocery shopping and going to church.” Marie, age 67
To receive Older Blind Services, you must be 55 years of age or older.
Older Blind Staff Directory
Dyson, Robert
Intake Specialist
rdyson@cocenter.org
Robert Dyson is a native of Colorado and has lived here most of his life. He lost his vision as a result of diabetes and attended the Center in 1994. He learned to read again using Braille and technology, and how to travel anywhere with his long white cane. After graduation, Robert did an internship at the Department of Labor and was hired by Diners Club in 1996. He worked there for three years. He was hired at the Center in 2002 and was the voice who greeted everyone on the phone or as they came in the front door until 2020, when he moved to Canon City to be nearer to his family. Robert now works remotely in our Older Blind programs. Again, Robert’s is often the voice older blind folks and their families hear when they reach out to the Center. He makes many of the initial contacts with new people and helps facilitate our online support groups. Robert loves the Center and feels it is wonderful to work in a place where you can see all the good that happens to people and their lives with a little skill training and also the re-building of their self-confidence. He is grateful for how the Colorado Center changed his life completely and gave him back the chance to live a life of respect and dignity.
Parsons, Chris Chris
Older Blind Specialist
cparsons@cocenter.org
Chris Parsons has been blind since birth as a result of Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis (LCA). Growing up in rural Missouri, she knew that she eventually wanted to live in a place where she could travel independently. After graduating from Webster University in 2010 with a degree in English, she worked there for a time as an Online Writing Specialist. She attended the Colorado Center for the Blind as a student in 2014. While at the center, she gained valuable blindness skills, but more importantly, she gained confidence and a belief in herself.
Chris started teaching technology at the center in March 2015, but moved to the Senior Program as its Outreach Specialist in January, 2019. She enjoys listening to music and being a part of the NFB. One of her favorite activities every year is attending the annual NFB National Convention
Spears, Dishon
Older Blind Specialist
dspears@cocenter.org
Dishon “Shon” Spears was born in Los Angeles, California and has a twin brother named Divon. Dishon and his brother were diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) in 1996 and, after high school, Dishon received blindness skills training to become an independent person. Following that, he attended Louisiana Tech University where his focus was in Psychology and Elementary Education. Dishon has worked for RTD and the Business Enterprise Program in addition to previously working in several areas at the Center including the summer youth program and as residential manager. Currently, Dishon is a Home Management instructor at the Center. He met his wife at the Center in 2010 and they married in 2012. Dishon works hard to insure that the students he is teaching leave with a great feeling of accomplishment and confidence as well as their newly found independence. Dishon’s interests include collecting die-cast model cars, cooking, and working out.