John Thomas, development director for the Vermont Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired, joined us on August 15 to provide an overview of the vast array of resources the organization makes available to people who are blind or visually impaired to be more independent, cultivate adaptive skills and improve their quality of life. Services are provided free of charge, customized to the needs of each person and available to all residents of the state regardless of where they live. Programs include "talking books," a summer camp for kids with impaired vision, tactile aids installed in homes to help with tasks of daily living, and a SMART (Speech, Magnification, Access, Reading, Telecommunications) Device Training Program.
The organization is hosting an exciting fundraiser on Saturday, September 14: Dancing with the Burlington Stars. Like the TV program on which it is based, the event pairs professional dancers with area amateurs who will compete for the dance title. The duos practice for 17 weeks to prepare their performances. The event also features guest appearances by dance groups and past contest winners. To purchase a ticket, visit: https://www.flynnvt.org/Events/2024/9/dancing-w-the-burlington-stars.