CLUB VIBES INTRODUCES MINI-GRANTS |
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Club VIBES Mission: to assist blind and visually impaired young people in East Tennessee in living independent and productive lives by identifying their unique capacities and developing their individual strengths.
Club VIBES carries out this mission by providing a range of services to persons who are blind or visually impaired and their families. These services may include information and referral, peer support, advocacy, training for independent living, mentors, and other services deemed appropriate. We are now adding another avenue to help our members develop independence.
We are introducing mini-grants that will allow VIBES members, past or present, an avenue for financial support in their efforts toward independence. This program will begin in January 2022. Mini-grants may be awarded for categories such as, but not limited to, technology, education, fitness, independent living, or others that a member, with committee approval, feels will help them achieve an independent and productive life.
The process for members to obtain a mini-grant will begin with requesting an application that includes, among other information about the applicant, what the grant will be used for and how it will benefit the member and the VIBES community. The application can be requested from info@club-vibes.org. Write "Club-VIBES mini-grant application in the subject line. Applications can be submitted beginning January 1 and are due by the 15th of each month for evaluation by the committee.
Following completion of the program for which the grant was used, the member will demonstrate to the mini-grant committee the skills or describe the experience obtained through the award.
The mini-grant committee looks forward to receiving members' applications.
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NOVEMBER CALENDAR
2-Last day to RSVP general meeting
3-Board planning meeting; 6:00 pm
4-General Meeting, 7:00 pm
14-Chat on the porch; 7:00 pm
18-Leadership Meeting; 7:00 pm
21-Book Club-7:00 pm
28-Chat on the Porch; 7:00 pm
30-Last day to RSVP general meeting
DECEMBER CALENDAR
2-General Meeting, 7:00 pm
1-Board Meeting; 6:00 pm
12-Chat on the porch; 7:00 pm
18-Leadership Meeting; 7:00 pm
21-Book Club-7:00 pm
TBA-Online Holiday Party
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WHAT IS NEW THIS MONTH ON OUR BLOG PAGE?
HORSES, ZEBRAS, and the SECRET MEDICAL WORLD OF BLIND PEOPLE
Blind and visually impaired people often have some unique experiences when they interact with medical professionals. They have to help the medical person understand that those with visual impairments may require different approaches than the general population and that all visually impaired patients are individuals and need to be treated as a unique situation. To learn more about horses, zebras, and medical providers, click here.
HOW DO BLIND PEOPLE KNOW WHAT MONEY THEY HAVE?
It is unfortunate for blind people that all of the paper money used in the United States looks and feels (and smells) exactly the same to those without vision. How do blind people know what's in their wallet?" To find out, click here.
4 SECRETS TO MAKING THE OLD FASHIONED ASK
The need to frequently ask others for assistance is just a part of life for blind and visually impaired people. Good manners are a requirement when requesting assistance, especially using the "magic words" please and thank you. To continue reading John's blog, click here
COMMENTS
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CONGRATULATIONS DELTA GAMMA
We are proud to announce that our very dedicated supporter, Delta Gamma Fraternity, has received a very prestigious national award, the Frankie Ladley Wakefield-Parnassus Fraternity Award, that was earned through maintaining an overall excellent GPA, scholarship planning, participation in philanthropic activities (supporting and organizing activities for Club Vibes), and timely reporting of their activities. We have seen the members of Delta Gamma hard at work in the many ways they help Club Vibes and we know that they definitely deserve this award. We thank Delta Gamma for all they do for us.
BLUE BETTY JOINS OUR TANDEM FLEET
Bill and Susan Knox from Crossville donated an awesome blue Cannondale tandem, aka Blue Betty, to Club VIBES. In addition, they included some spare bike parts and a travel cover. We send our deepest thanks to Bill and Susan for this wonderful donation.
NEW GROUP FOR YOUNGER MEMBERS
Club VIBES would like to expand the participation of younger members between the 8th and 11th grades with topics of particular interest to this age group. They will have monthly Zoom chats hosted by Owen and TVI and board member, Lauren. They will also have access to the Club VIBES vision Facebook page. We hope to attract members from the Knoxville area and beyond. For more information on how to become involved, contact Sue at info@club-vibes.org
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INTRODUCING OWEN, OUR NEWEST AND YOUNGEST MEMBER
My name is Owen. I am in the 8th grade, and I attend Bearden Middle School. I live with my mom, dad, older sister Kate, younger brother Will, and my younger sister Arden. I have a dog named Dixie, and a puppy named Finn.
I found Club VIBES in January of this year. My TVI, Mr. Taylor, told me about the group. I was eager to join, and I started attending the general meetings every month, and some of the other activities, like Meet on the Porch.
I wish to be a teacher after I graduate. I want to teach 8th-grade math. I want to go to college at Georgia Tech.
Club VIBES has helped me realize that I can do anything. The members of Club VIBES can do anything. Everyone can do anything if they put their minds to it. Club Vibes is a wonderful group and I enjoy being a member of the group.
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CYBERSECURITY CAMP
by Campbell
In June of this year, I was fortunate enough to attend a cybersecurity camp for blind and visually impaired high school students at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and it was an amazing experience! We did some computer programming and cryptography, deconstructed and reconstructed computers, played with circuits, discussed online safety, learned about cybersecurity careers, heard from employees from Microsoft, the National Security Agency (NSA), and the FBI who work in the cybersecurity and computer science fields, spoke with blind and visually impaired professionals in the STEM field, and learned about and experimented with digital forensics, which, among other things, involved searching for and collecting digital evidence for a case scenario given to us by the FBI.
There were 10 campers, ages 14-19, and we all had a blast and learned a lot. This was probably one of the most worthwhile summer camps that I have ever attended. It was not just arts and crafts, as some STEM camps tend to be. Not only did we receive a free crash course in the basics of cybersecurity, but we also learned practical skills that we can apply to the rest of our lives. It was also a great networking opportunity, as we were able to connect with computer scientists and other professionals from UAH who could potentially be mentors to us. Perhaps my favorite thing about it, however, was the fact that I didn’t feel like an outlier. Blind students who are interested in STEM are a bit of a novelty, so it was refreshing to be among others like me. If you were praised, it was always for the quality of your work, not because you were a source of inspiration just for being there.
If you are a blind/visually impaired high school student who is remotely interested in STEM, even if you aren’t necessarily considering a career in cybersecurity, I would highly recommend attending this camp if you can.
For more information, contact;
Jim Steele
256.824.2772
or
Jesse Hairston
256.824.4780
CHECK OUT THESE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
It is time for high school seniors, and even those already in college or vocational schools, to apply for scholarships. The East Tennessee Foundation has a listing of almost 70 scholarships, many with unique requirements such as place of residence, being the first member of their family to attend college, or being in the band. In addition, there are others for specialized fields of study, such as medicine, veterinary science, social work, and even cybersecurity. One particular notable scholarship is the Debbie VanCleave scholarship in honor of a blind student who attended Knox County Schools. This scholarship is for blind or visually impaired students in the East Tennessee area served by the East Tennessee Foundation.
To apply to one or more of the scholarships on the list you must fill out one online application. After you submit the general application you will receive a list of scholarships for which you are eligible. Go to this webpage, East Tennessee Foundation, for a list of the scholarships, very explicit directions, and the application. It is very important to read the directions carefully before submitting an application.
Good Luck.
WHAT ARE OUR MEMBERS UP TO?
Sue completed her second half-marathon on October 3 with a time of 3 hours and 23 minutes. Congratulations!
Marian is doing advocacy work on accessible transportation in Oak Ridge.
Campbell Rutherford will be giving presentations to Freedom Scientific and Paths to Technology blogs about using math programs for the visually impaired.
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OUR PARTNERS
Club VIBES would not be able to offer our members the programs that we do offer without the generous support of our partners. We will soon be seeking new partners for 2022-2023. When we aren't restricted by a pandemic, some of the programs that our partners help support are a trip out of the area every two years which allows members to experience planning, packing, visiting unfamiliar places, and trying different forms of transportation. In addition, partners help support our tandem bicycling and most recently, our mini-grant programs.
We weren't slowed down by Covid. We quickly adapted by forming a Leadership Team that learned Zoom and taught it to all of our members. We continued with our board and membership meetings and added new programs that were conducted over Zoom such as a book club, fitness sessions with a trainer, social get-togethers, and audio movie nights.
If you are interested in becoming one of our partners or know of someone who might be interested, please contact Sue at info@club-vibes.org for more information.
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THE TOUCH CARD
Using a credit card can be challenging for those with visual impairments, especially since cards have few tactual cues to help the user without sight identify the card and its orientation. Mastercard is introducing a new card to address this problem. Different varieties of the card, which will become available in 2022, will use physical notches to help people use touch to distinguish among them and discern the correct way to insert them into scanning machines. Read more by clicking on WSJ.com.
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THANK YOU TO OUR PROGRAM PARTNERS FOR 2020-2021 |
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THE NALLS SHERBAKOFF Gthe ROUP LLC. |
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SMOKY MOUNTAIN WHEELMEN
BRONZE
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Ruth E. Bailey, D.D.S.
COSMETIC DENTISTRY OF KNOXVILLE
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