Central Valley Chapter Takes on Challenges in Blind Equality Achievement Month

by Rachel Grider

From the Editor: Rachel is familiar to Monitor readers because of her work in coordinating the work of one hundred singers who harmonized when in-person contact was impossible, an electronic miracle if ever there was one. She is very active in our California affiliate and certainly represents leadership at its best. Here is her report of what her chapter did during Blind Equality Achievement Month:

The Central Valley Chapter helped with a voter education workshop on October 8 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Stanislaus County Elections Office at 1021 I Street in Modesto. We demonstrated the remote accessible vote-by-mail system with different types of screen-reading software, and attendees had the opportunity to try out the Touch Writer ballot marking device. Members of election staff were on hand to answer questions so that everyone who wishes can be prepared to vote independently during the November election.

On October 15, White Cane Awareness Day, the Central Valley Chapter will be participating in a White Cane Walk with the Stanislaus County Office of Education at JFK School, 1202 Stonum Rd. in Modesto. This event will include fun activities for our local blind children, including an obstacle course, cane decorating, and games with tactile emojis. Members of the chapter will be on hand to answer questions and to demonstrate that blindness should not hold anyone back from living the life they want.

On October 29, the Central Valley Chapter will have a booth at the Modesto Farmer’s Market, located on 16th Street between H Street and I Street, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. We will be demonstrating Braille and assistive technology, and we will have some fun Halloween-themed activities, including a descriptive costume game.