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I mage of Dragonfly

                                                                   DECEMBER, 2019/JANUARY, 2020 

 DECEMBER  CALENDAR
13-Member only holiday party

 JANUARY CALENDAR
3-Member meeting, 6:00 pm
14-Board meeting, 6:00 pm



Freedom to Fly Blog
WHAT IS NEW THIS MONTH ON OUR BLOG PAGE?
While the Club VIBES newsletter editor was off walking across Spain, John has been busy writing blogs. This is a good chance for you to catch up on John's informative and entertaining blogs.

THE DOG BLOG LEARNING TO WORK WITH A DOG
There is a little more to working with a Guide Dog than taking hold of the leash and saying "Let's go". To learn about what is involved, Learn more .

THE DOG RETURNING HOME
You've finished the training at the Guide Dog School and you and your dog return home. There is still a lot of work ahead for both of you.  Learn more .

TEN WAYS VISUAL IMPAIRMENT INFLUENCED CLASSIC ARTISTS
This post by Veronica Lewis, a graduate student at George Mason University,  describes how visual disabilities in ten famous artists affected their art.   Learn more .

There was a recent court case brought by a blind internet user who found that the Dominos Pizza website was inaccessible to blind users. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear this case.  The next three blogs focus on to what extent the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) includes digital accessibility.

HOW TO PULL THE PLUG ON THE INTERNET
In today's world, the ability to use the internet is fundamental in many jobs as well as many facets of independent living including online banking, shopping, and making airline reservations. How does the lack of accessibility of some websites affect low vision and blind users?  Learn more

The next two blogs are written by Lainey Feingold, an attorney specializing in disability law, describing comments written in reaction to the Dominos Pizza court case which is about whether every website must be accessible to blind and low vision users. The article is an attempt to  " help people better understand what was at stake in the Domino's case and why we must protect the rights of disabled people to participate in the digital world".

U.S. SUPREME COURT PASSES ON DOMINO'S CASE: COMMENTERS MISUNDERSTAND
PART ONE-  Read Article

PART TWO-  Read Article


COMMENTS
We would like to hear from you. What do you think about the Dominos Pizza case? Add your comments at  http://club-vibes.org/blog/

SUBSCRIBE
To guarantee that you do not miss any of our blogs, you can subscribe to them on our website,  http://club-vibes.org/blog/

NEWS
WILDERNESS IN THE SMOKIES
VIBES members who earned the required number of points by being active participants in planning and attending activities, and helping out the Club in various other ways are rewarded with going on special trips.  In September, the trip was a weekend at Wilderness in the Smokies in Sevierville.  Here are eyewitness reports of that trip.
   
                   
                                                                                Photo-waterslides and wave pool

WILDERNESS AT THE SMOKIES
by Paige Conley (VIBES member)
On Friday I had pizza for dinner and then went to the water park.  The one I went to on Friday was an indoor water park.  I hung out at the wave pool.  Then I went to an outdoor hot tub.  I enjoyed it.  Later that night I went to a normal swimming pool.  It was a little cold but I had some fun.  I also saw my brother Preston (a volunteer helper) and he went to ride one of the water rides and afterward we all went to bed.

On Saturday I went over to Mcdonald's and had an English McMuffin.  After that I went shopping at the flea market with my mom, Campbell, and Mariah.  Then I went tandem biking.  I thought that it was kind of fun but the best part of the day was when I went to the outdoor water park and hung out with one of the DGs (Delta Gamma volunteers).  What I enjoyed the most was riding the wall.  It felt similar to the River Rush at Splash Country.  To me it was like going on a rollercoaster.  I liked how the ride went up, around, and around, and then it dropped down.

Overall I had a great time and I hope that everyone else did too.

WILDERNESS AT THE SMOKIES
by Dawn Conley (VIBES board member and parent)
Members and Volunteers from Club Vibes had a great time at Wilderness in the Smokies. Fun was had by all! Our members were able to enjoy waterslides, a wave pool, hot tubs, a lazy river, and just plain relaxing in the sun. Thanks to the pilots that were able to make it, many of our members enjoyed a scenic tandem bike ride through the hills while others were able to visit the local flea market. We enjoyed dinner out at a local diner and of course the finery of pizza delivery! Thanks to the Delta Gamma Girls, every member had a sighted guide for the many water activities. We couldn't have asked for better weather in September.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING WITH DG ELVES
Club VIBES members got a head start on holiday s hopping  thanks to volunteer shoppers
Photo-elf with huge bag of gifts
from Delta Gamma.  Allison was one of the VIBES members who enjoyed the shopping trip.        

HOLIDAY SHOPPING
by Allison Alexander
On November 10th Club VIBES members had the opportunity to shop with elves. These were no ordinary elves, though. These were Delta Gamma shopping elves. Each member that participated was assigned an elf (Delta Gamma member) to shop with them for a two-hour period. We started out at Walmart to do whatever shopping we needed whether it be personal, Christmas,       

or just browsing around for ideas. My first elf was Taylor. While we were at Walmart, we browsed around so I could get Christmas gifts for the people on my list. The next stop was West Town Mall. While we were at West Town Mall each VIBES member was assigned a Delta Gamma Elf for two hours. Once the two hours were up, we met back in the mall and were assigned a new Delta Gamma member. While I was at the mall, I knew some gifts I wanted to pick up for Christmas, so I picked up the gifts. Once I got my shopping done, my elf and I ate and got to chat about schooling and other things we were both interested in. When I switched elves, I had already got everything I needed so I got to help another VIBES member do some of her shopping. 

I love the shopping experience with Club VIBES because it gave me a chance to socialize with new people. I also really enjoy it because it is nice to be able to have someone read price tags or describe details in something I can't see. This experience was amazing, and I look forward to shopping with Delta Gamma again!

HOLIDAY SHOPPING
by Sariah Sciarillo
A few months ago I joined a lovely group of people called Club Vibes.  It was the best decision I have ever made.  They are so kind, fun to be with, and inspiring.  Later on I found out we would be going Christmas shopping.  I was so excited because usually I have to tell my parents not to look as I try to get them gifts.  This is kind of impossible because I will need their help with finding things.  Now that someone would be with us and we didn't need our parents for help I could buy things and they would have no clue what I got.  The Delta Gamma girls helped us.  And may I say how incredibly thoughtful and sweet that was of them to do?   Big thanks to all who helped us.  We need more people like you around. 

We could go to the Mall or Walmart or both.  I picked Walmart since I knew what I could get from there.  The Delta Gamma girls were very sweet, patient and helpful.  I was able to find pretty much all I needed.  While we were there shopping for gifts though, Jacoby had another thing in mind.  He had a new apartment and h e decided while we would shop for gifts he would buy a seven-foot Christmas tree.  Thankfully it fit in the van.  We were concerned that Jacoby would have to walk with his Christmas tree because of the lack of space. Just kidding.  It was such a fun trip. I can't wait to do more things with Club VIBES.  Big thanks to the founders of this club, Sue and John Buckley.  You guys are the best.

DELTA GAMMA HOLIDAY PARTY
Thanks, Delta Gamma,  for another fantastic party! In your true tradition, we had a blast singing, eating, dressing in silly costumes, and hanging out with you. The theme was C andy Land  and there were some very creative costumes. The winners of the costume contest were first place, Paige, who was dressed like a peppermint candy, second place, Harris, dressed like a sugar plum fairy complete with purple shoes, and third place, Kinna from Delta Gamma.

 
Photo-group wearing candy land costumes             Photo-costume contest winners,                                                                                        Harris on left, Paige in center, Kinna on                                                                                      right.


CHALLENGES IN EMPLOYMENT FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED
There have been several articles recently on the subject of employment for blind and visually impaired persons. 

The first article describes employment successes and challenges for those with vision difficulties through the eyes of a guide dog, Zoe.   Click here to read the article.

The second is a report on what his experiences have been in regard to employment by Kirk Adams, Presid ent of the American Foundation for the Blind.  This article appeared in the Seattle Times.  Click here    to read the article.

The last is a YOUTUBE video "How the Blind Cook Became a Culinary Sensation" by Christine Ha who starts by saying  "If you can't see how steep a mountain Is, then you can't fear it".  Click here to view the video.

WALKING BLIND
I am the writer of the Club VIBES Newsletter and my husband and I just finished walking over 400 miles on the Camino de Santiago in Spain.  While walking one morning, we encountered a group of blind walkers and, curious, I started a conversation with one of them. They were with a group from the Netherlands called Walking Blind and they do this trip every year. They walk  200 km (120 miles) in two weeks.  They had 8 blind and low vision walkers, each with a buddy. To go to their website,  click here.
MEMBERS CORNER
MEMBERS ONLY HOLIDAY PARTY
December 13, 6:00 pm at the Buckley's is the members Holiday party. Bring a snack to share and if you are a Secret Santa bring your $20-25.00 gift wrapped for the Secret Santa gift exchange.  

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 
THE DEBBIE VAN CLEAVE SCHOLARSHIP
The Debbie Van Cleave scholarship is in memory or Debbie Van Cleave, former Knox County student, who was blind and a talented potter.  The purpose of this scholarship is to facilitate attendance at post-secondary education whether it is at a university, community college, or vocational school. For information on requirements and to access the application, click here.

AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND SCHOLARSHIP
The American Council of the Blind (ACB) annually awards approximately 21 scholarships ranging in amounts from $1,000 to $7,500. These scholarships are awarded to students attending vocational/technical colleges, entering freshmen, undergraduate and graduate students, who are legally blind, maintain a 3.0 GPA and are involved in their school or local community. To qualify, each applicant must be enrolled in an accredited college or university in the United States for the upcoming Fall semester. 
 
To read the scholarship guidelines and complete an on-line application, Click Here .
 
Applications are being accepted online through Friday, February 14, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.(CST). Only application supplements which cannot be emailed, can be mailed in, and must be postmarked no later than Friday, February 14, 2020. 

FUNDRAISING
MEMBERS PLAN FUNDRAISER
The members of Club VIBES organized a raffle selling tickets for a chance to win one of four  smart speakers such as the Amazon Echo, Google Home, or Apple HomePod.  Winners have been drawn and congrats the lucky people. VIBES sends a super thanks to all who purchased a ticket in support of our efforts. We enjoy having our members be a part of fundraising for their program. 

BELK CHARITY SALE
Thanks to volunteers from Delta Gamma , Club VIBES was again able to participate in the Belk Charity Sale. By providing a volunteer to work at the sale, VIBES receives a share of the proceeds. Thank you Delta Gamma.

GARAGE SALE
Club VIBES participated in the Buckley's neighborhood garage sale. Thanks to all who donated items for sale and those who worked at the sale, making this a successful endeavor for the club.

Support raised through our fundraising efforts will go toward our 2020 trip for VIBES members and volunteers.
TECH NEWS
ONLINE TUTORING SERVICE
Brainfuse is a tutoring and e-learning company that provides free live tutoring and educational resources for cardholders at participating libraries, schools, and universities. Users have access to tutors during times set by their institution where they can have a live hour- long session to go over concepts from class, homework problems, or work on studying for a test. This is not a service geared to blind or visually impaired students but it is reported that it works well for low vision students but does not work for blind students.  To learn more, click here

VIBES MEMBERS
We would like for some of you with low vision to try Brainfuse and write an article for the newsletter about your experience. Send your response to  arlene_mh@ahoo.com
PARTNERS
Efforts are beginning for financial support for 2020.  We are looking for the continued support of our partners below but also wishing to introduce new donors to our efforts. Contact Sue Buckley at email address  info@club-vibes.org  to get involved or to help make a financial gift to our 503c organization. 

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS FOR 2018-19
PLATINUM- Delta Gamma Fraternity and Nalls Sherbakoff
GOLD-Group One Mediation Training Inc.
SILVER-Smoky Mountain Wheelmen
BRONZE-Blount County Eye Center and West Knox Lion's Club

  THANK YOU TO OUR PROGRAM PARTNERS  FOR 2018-19


       PLATINUM                        GOLD                                  SILVER                                 BRONZE
                                     
     Delta Gamma                Group One                       Smoky Mountain                       Blount County
        Fraternity           Mediation Training Inc               Wheelman                                Eye Center


                                                                                                                     Nalls Sherbakoff                                                                                                           West Knox                                                                                                                                                        Lion's Club
    Li                                                                                                                         Lion's 

                                                                                                                           L  Lion's C;ub
PHOTO-WREATH
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL FROM CLUB VIBES