To advance the independence of persons who are blind and visually impaired
News Archive
New Hampshire Association for the Blind Sponsors 2011 NH Conference on Aging
The New Hampshire Association for the Blind, a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging active and healthy lifestyles for those over 50, is pleased to announce its Sponsorship of the 2011 New Hampshire Conference on Aging. This year’s conference is scheduled to be held on May 26th from 8:30am – 3:30pm at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester, NH.
May is Older Americans Month, a time to honor the legacies and ongoing contributions of older Americans and support them as they enter the next stage in life. “As the most rapidly growing segment of today’s population, seniors are a demographic group which merits the attention of all concerned organizations and citizens”, stated Guy Woodlant, Senior Vice President. “Our organization is pleased to be able to support the seniors of our community this way. It provides an excellent environment for fostering positive healthy aging.”
The 11th Annual NH Conference on Aging theme is “Older Americans: Connecting the Community”. Over the past eleven years the NH Conference on Aging has grown from 200 to 750 in attendance. We look forward to meeting and serving the seniors at this event.
In order to see our organization at this event, you must register in advance to attend the conference. Conference registration brochures are available on the web site: www.nhconferenceonaging.org or you can call 603.573.3310.
Portsmouth is holding its annual Children's Day on Sunday, May 1, 2011 throughout the streets of downtown Portsmouth. You won't want to miss this Pro Portsmouth all day event of fun! The New Hampshire Association for the Blind in conjunction with the Portsmouth Lions is having a table for the second year in a row. We will be offering free vision screening to children, handing out balloons, and offering face painting to the young and young at heart. Hope to see you there.
Seacoast Advisory Committee elects Rich Sherwin as committee chair for 2011
As a seacoast resident for many years Rich is a familiar face to many in the area. His passion for volunteering is evidenced in the countless hours he spends volunteering with and for blind or visually impaired residents. He and his wife Carol; also a committee member, recently retired and have begun serving on the advisory committee in an effort to increase awareness and opportunities for the Association in the greater seacoast area. Stay tuned for several upcoming events being coordinated by this very active committee. Many thanks go to Beth Forgione for her hard work and dedication as the committee chair during its first year. Much progress was made in reaching out to area businesses and spreading the word about our work.
Terri McGrew Elected to Board of Directors
Terri McGrew of Brookline was recently elected to the board of directors. Terri is a long-time volunteer of the NH Lions and has served on several boards. Her experience with vision loss and community involvement will prove invaluable as the association strengthens their public awareness efforts.
Art with Feeling – Touch, Look, Listen a huge success
More than 2, 000 visitors experienced the tactile art exhibit at the Sharon Arts Center in Peterborough this fall. For a two- month period the gallery experienced an influx of school and civic groups totaling more than 250 people. The exhibit; dutifully titled; Art with Feeling – Touch, Look, Listen has gained much recognition in the press including a segment featured on WMUR’s Chronicle. This collaboration between the New Hampshire Association for the Blind, the NH Arts Association and Sharon Arts is spreading the message that the world of art is opening its door to those living with blindness and low-vision.
The exhibit closed with a grand finale – “Dinner in the Dark.” The success of that endeavor can be surmised in the following article by Stephanie Hurd, Coordinator of Volunteer Services for the Association.
"Dim the lights, put on your blindfolds, and enjoy a 4 course elegant meal! This is exactly what about 40 people did on Saturday, October 23 at the Sharon Arts Center in Peterborough. The dinner in the dark experience was a great way to build awareness about vision loss, as a finale of a 2 month long tactile art exhibit at the Sharon Arts Center, which was a collaboration between the New Hampshire Art Association and the New Hampshire Association for the Blind. I had the privilege, as a person who is blind, to give suggestions and tips on best practices when it comes to eating without seeing. I wasn’t sure who would enjoy the evening more!
Once guests were seated, the blindfolds went on and nerves rose high. People were willing, yet admittedly initially apprehensive. Chef Harris Weldon, proprietor of the Pearl Restaurant, spared nothing when it came to layered rich tastes and textures for guests to enjoy. The best piece of advice I could have probably offered was to eat continental style; holding your fork in your left hand and your knife in your right hand, cutting and eating as you go. This way your silverware acts as extensions of your hands, yet with proper etiquette.
People quickly relaxed, as they realized everyone was in the same situation. Many couldn’t tell how big of a bite of food they were cutting until it was in their mouths, others weren’t sure when they were done with their course of food. Even the noise level of the room grew quite loud, perhaps because people no longer had facial eye to eye contact, nor could they see the words form on people’s lips as they spoke. By the end of dessert, the guests were in great humor, no longer taking themselves as seriously about the fear that originally came with eating while blindfolded. The goal had been accomplished. For a glimpse, guests not only ate a fine catered dinner in the dark, but they realized that with professional services and a positive attitude, people with vision loss can and do live independent lives."
PRESIDENT’S LETTER 2010
These days we all recognize that we live in a time filled with major issues and fundamental concerns that affect all people in all areas of life. As non-profit organizations struggle to react to the many ways they are being impacted, non-profit leaders are likewise pressed to reassure their supporters, and those they serve, that their organizations are working hard to meet the challenge and remain sustainable.
Let me reassure you that the Association is on a sound, fiscally responsible footing, maintaining all of its core rehabilitation services, and able to meet the needs of those seeking to regain or maintain their independence after vision loss. Over time, we could not continue to do this without your support, along with that of thousands of other caring New Hampshire people.
We are looking forward with enthusiasm and optimism as we approach our 100th Anniversary year. We see a future of service and innovation – to meet the growing needs of significant increases in vision impairment and blindness in NH.
It is noteworthy that the Association served nearly 2,000 Granite Staters this past year. However, we also know that every person’s journey towards independence is unique. Every client’s story is an inspiration. Here is a story I’d like to share with you.
In May 2008 a young woman named Kristin Hallee graduated with a B.A. from Rivier College in Nashua. Receiving a college degree is a marker event in many people’s lives. For Kristin, it meant taking the next step toward the dream she’d had since she was four and had announced to her parents that she wanted to be a kindergarten teacher.
Students face all sorts of challenges as they navigate academia, but Kristin faced additional challenges. Born with cataracts and diagnosed with glaucoma at the age of four, Kristen needed to use enlarged text and magnifiers to help with schoolwork. Her eyesight worsened in junior high, and she had to undergo numerous surgeries to reduce the painful pressure caused by glaucoma. As Kristin remarked, “I was lucky my parents always encouraged me to be whatever I wanted. My mother herself was born completely blind, and she graduated from college, so she set a good example. But I can tell you, no matter how self-confident you are, serious visual impairment is a hard thing to live with.”
I’m proud to say that the New Hampshire Association for the Blind was able to help Kristen to adapt and adjust to her vision loss. While studying at Rivier, she worked with Glenn Gunn, one of our Orientation and Mobility instructors. He helped this very determined women find her way around the campus using her white cane to detect obstacles. Glenn taught Kristen how to pay close attention to other cues in the environment such as automobile noises, traffic sounds and other auditory information. With Glenn’s help, Kristin became much more confident crossing streets and safely finding her own way. She learned how to use public transportation and even take the bus to Boston! And when Kristin recently decided to go to dog guide school, Glenn prepared her wonderfully for the intensive training. Now Kristin goes everywhere with her devoted guide dog “Posada”.
Since her graduation from college, Kristin has set more goals for herself and has worked persistently to make them happen. This spring she was hired to work for the Children's Pyramid in Nashua where she provides play therapy to a two and a half year old girl with low-functioning autism. Kristin said, “ When I made the decision to get a guide dog, I wanted the dog to not only impact my life but have a positive affect on the children that I worked with. I never could have predicted the profound impact that Posada could have on my ability to teach a child.”
Kristin is “having an awesome time!” She is so proud and thankful for her guide dog Posada and for the impact the two of them are having on the children she works with. She goes on to say, “I am so proud and thankful for Posada every day. I am even more proud that she is helping other people. I'm not sure what she thinks about her job as a guide dog, but I think she enjoys it. She has no idea that she is now a teacher and also greatly impacts the lives of the children I work with.”
This is what our work at the New Hampshire Association for the Blind is all about. We provide support, services, and skills to people like Kristin who have much to accomplish and many dreams to fulfill.
Many thanks to all of you for believing in our mission “to advance the independence of persons who are blind and visually impaired” and for supporting our work in so many ways.
Sincerely,
George F. Theriault
President & CEO
Meet the Candidates
The New Hampshire Association for the Blind hosted a “Meet the Candidates” reception on Thursday, August 19th. Several candidates running for U.S. Senate and Congress were present to address an audience of more than 50 individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Following the brief introduction by each candidate the audience had an opportunity to meet and speak with many of the candidates present.
In line with our political event the Association’s Advocacy Committee was recently featured in the Disabilities Rights Center’s Summer issue of the Rap Sheet. View the entire newsletter here http://drcnh.org/Rapsummer10civic.pdf.
Jo Adcock Service Award
The recipient of the 2010 Jo Adcock Service Award was Naomi Avery. A long time coordinator and supporter of activities for persons who are blind and visually impaired; Naomi has given multitudes of her time and experience to individuals throughout the state.
Lions Club to Sponsor Calendar
For the 2nd year in a row the Concord Lions Club will be the lead sponsor in the production of the Association’s 2011 large print calendar. Each year the Association distribution upwards of 1800 calendars to individuals who are visually impaired living throughout NH. The calendars have become such a vital tool to our clients and they are so appreciative each and every year!
Volunteer BBQ
Several volunteers and donors of the Association were honored at a recognition barbeque held at the McGreal Sight Center. The boards of directors donned their aprons and served up a delightful homemade meal complete with appetizers and live music.
Autodesk, Inc. Awards $1,075 to the New Hampshire Association for the Blind
Autodesk, Inc. of Manchester recently awarded $1,075 to the New Hampshire Association for the Blind to purchase a CCTV (Closed Circuit Television Electronic Reader). The CCTV will be added to the inventory used for the Association’s CCTV Lease/Loan Program. CCTVs are simple to operate and provide high-quality enlargement capabilities with enhanced images for easier reading, writing and viewing of objects.
About Autodesk, Inc
Autodesk is a leader in 2D and 3D design engineering and entertainment software offering the broadest and deepest solutions portfolio in the design world. For more information about Autodesk, Inc. please call 603-621-3229.
Portsmouth Children’s Day
The New Hampshire Association for the Blind teamed up with the Portsmouth Lions on Sunday May second to participate in Children's Day. This is an annual Greater Seacoast "in the streets" event put on by Pro Portsmouth. Together, we offered free vision screening to any youth, handed out materials on our services and how to get involved, gave out balloons, and offered face painting to the young and young at heart. Association volunteers and Portsmouth Lions members partnered to make this a wonderful event and build awareness throughout the region.
Stephanie Hurd (far right), NHAB’s Coordinator of Volunteer Services, Seacoast region
with fellow NHAVA Board Members at the Proclamation signing with Governor
John Lynch in celebration of Volunteer Week.
Merrimack County Savings Bank and the Bagan Foundation Support Technology for the Blind
The Bagan Foundation and the Merrimack County Savings Bank Foundation each recently awarded funding to purchase two Closed Circuit Television Electronic Readers (CCTV) to be used by visually impaired Board members, clients serving on committees as well as visitors to the McGreal Sight Center who are visually impaired.
Association forms Seacoast Advisory Committee
A group of residents from the seacoast area have formed a special Advisory Committee to support the New Hampshire Associaiton for the Blind. The purpose of the Committee is to create awareness around the issues of blindness and to spread the word about the services the Association provides.
Led by Beth Forgione the group is currently looking forward to developing strong partnerships with local individuals and corporations.
If you are a resident of New Hampshire’s seacoast region, have an interest in issues facing the blind and are willing to work as an ambassador, please contact the Association at 1-800-464-3075. Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month in Portsmouth.
Association’s VP Receives Prestigious Award
December 17, 2009 – Concord, NH Guy Woodland, Senior Vice President for the New Hampshire Association for the Blind recently received the prestigious Thomas Caulfield Award at the annual meeting of the Northeast Chapter of the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (NE/AER). The Thomas Caulfield Award is awarded every other year to someone who demonstrates outstanding personal efforts in assisting persons with visual impairment to adjust to their disability and to attain responsible goals in their communities. Mr. Woodland has been with the Association since 1999 and is responsible for the oversight of the rehabilitation and education services that are provided by the New Hampshire Association for the Blind. It was under his leadership that the Association started a formal program to provide services to school-age children who are blind and visually impaired. He saw that there were many unmet needs of children who were visually impaired in NH, so he did something about it. “One of Guy’s great strengths is his leadership with the staff at The Association. He’s not only one of the greatest role models and mentors in his tireless efforts to advocate for the needs of persons who are visually impaired, he also offers great support and guidance to those he supervises. He inspires others to be creative in their work with clients.” - Nancy Druke, Director of Social Work at the New Hampshire Association for the Blind and President of NE/AER.
Previously, Woodland had worked for 28 years at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, traveling from the Maritime Provinces to the Northwest Territories. Blind since age 20, Guy was the first consumer to be appointed to the Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority. While in Canada, he has worked on joint projects with the Canadian Council of the Blind, the American Council of the Blind, the National Federation of the Blind and the American Federation for the Blind. He was also involved in special projects with the Canadian Ophthalmology Society, Canadian Association of Optometry, and the World Blind Union.
Board of Directors elects new board chair and secretary
At the The New Hampshire Association for the Blind’s Annual Meeting in November 2009 the Board of Directors elected Michelle M. Arruda, Esq. of Contoocook as their new Board Chair. Ms. Arruda has been an active board member for the past 6 years. An attorney with Cleveland, Waters and Bass, P.A. in Concord, NH Ms. Arruda specializes in trusts and estates. In addition to her work with the Association, Ms. Arruda is affiliated with many professional and charitable organizations. 
Also elected at the Association’s annual meeting the Board of Directors elected Susan Manchester of Amherst as their new Board Secretary. Ms. Manchester has been an active board member for the past 3 years. Susan holds a JD from Boston University School of Law and specializes in commercial real estate and lending with Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green in Manchester, NH.
Board of Directors elects two new board memebers at its annual meeting
Michelle Arruda, Board Chair of the New Hampshire Association for the Blind announced at the Annual Meeting of the Association in November 2009 the election of Robert Boucher of Bedford, to its Board of Directors. Robert holds a BS from Northeastern University and has served 25 years on the National Ski Patrol. Boucher, a vice president for Spectrum Marketing, will bring his expertise in marketing and advertising strategies to support the Association in its fundraising activities. Ms. Arrruda also announced the election of Steve Shurtleff of Penacook, to its Board of Directors. Shurtleff, the Chair of the House Criminal Justice Committee and Concord City Councilor, has been a consistent supporter of the Association’s Advocacy Committee. Shurtleff holds a degree from the City College of Chicago and currently sits on numerous local boards. Steve’s expertise is these areas will strengthen the Association’s interaction with city and state agencies.
Chelsey Duranleau
Walking down the Appian Gateway at Keene State College you are likely to come across a young woman walking purposefully. She is a senior, majoring in Spanish and a very skilled white cane user. Born blind from Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), Chelsey Duranleau will graduate from Keene State in May.
While Chelsey is hard-pressed to pick one single experience to highlight her college years, she admits that spending a semester abroad in Spain was unbelievable and probably “one of the best things about coming to Keene.” She also enjoyed attending the last two annual conferences of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) in Detroit and Washington, DC. As New Hampshire’s NFB student chapter president, Chelsey is a strong voice for New Hampshire’s young blind community and hopes more young people will become self-advocates.
Great News - Extension of IRA Charitable Rollover Included in Financial Rescue Bill!
Make a gift to the New Hampshire Association for the Blind and take advantage of this renewed giving opportunity! On October 3, 2008, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush. One of the last minute additions to the Senate version of the bill was an extension of the charitable IRA rollover provisions that had expired at the end of 2007. The new legislation extends the charitable IRA rollover provisions of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, making them applicable to rollovers made in 2008 (retroactive to January 1) and 2009. Read more.....
Volunteer Opportunities
Your skills and experience can make a difference. Volunteer opportunities are available statewide, withing the volunteer's own community and at the McGreal Sight Center.
Click here to read a story from one of our volunteers.