News & Notes from GDABVI
MAY 2022
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IN THIS ISSUE
(Scroll to view each section)
- Your donation makes a difference. Give today!
- Join the Upshaw Circle for greater impact and special recognition
- Sign up for services and training
- A conversation with Dave Rexroth
- Volunteers needed for Planting Day, June 25th
- Helping Hands Support Group
- Vision Education series
- COVID-19 protocols
- What's going on at the agency - calendar of events
- Visit our new website
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SIGN UP FOR SERVICES & TRAINING |
We've resumed agency services that are familiar to many people who've worked with us before, and expanded our programming to include new training and education offerings. Many programs are available virtually - on a computer or device or by listening in by phone - to enable more people to participate. Others require face-to-face participation. Classes include Activities of Daily Living; keyboarding, intermediate, and advanced computer skills; iPhone usage, and Zoom training. Orientation and Mobility training is also available to teach skills such as white cane usage and safe travel. Past, current, and prospective clients can see what's available and register online or call our main office for info. |
A CONVERSATION WITH DAVE REXROTH |
If you watch the evening weather segment on WXYZ-TV Channel 7, Dave Rexroth may be a familiar name. You might also remember that eight years ago he lost an eye to a life-changing fireworks accident. He spent some time with us sharing his vision loss journey. Watch and listen here. |
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR PLANTING DAY |
Join us Saturday, June 25th from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. as we restore the beauty of our Sensory Garden. Volunteers are needed to help assemble raised beds, clear the grounds, dig and plant, mulch, water and more. We welcome groups and donated plants. Learn more and register here. |
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HELPING HANDS SUPPORT GROUP |
If you or someone you know could use the social support of other people in varying stages of vision loss, consider joining the agency's Helping Hands support group. Meetings resume virtually on June 28th, from 1-3 p.m. Participants signed up by June 14th will receive a complimentary meal delivery gift card/coupon to enjoy lunch along with the group from wherever you are. The group meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday and plans to meet in person starting in July. Join the June Zoom meeting online or use this one tap phone number: +13017158592,,88381700697#,,,,*034922#. Registration will be required for all future in-person meetings due to limited space. |
Tune in for our monthly education series providing information related to vision loss, eye health, living with a disability, and navigating services. Watch or listen to our recent sessions on mental health and the elderly and getting help for low vision on our YouTube channel. Upcoming topics include research into bionic vision devices on June 8th and voting rights for disabled individuals on June 29th. |
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COVID PROTOCOLS AT THE AGENCY |
Due to the higher-risk health situation of many of our constituents, GDABVI encourages vaccination among our volunteers, vendors, and others who come into contact with us. For these reasons, we also continue to practice indoor masking and social distancing of six feet or more in group settings of more than 10 people. Additionally, proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test may be required for participation in events within our facility. For in-home services, you'll be asked to provide proof of vaccination or a recent negative Covid-19 test prior to receiving those services.
If you're unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons or choose not to be vaccinated for religious reasons, we ask that you have your medical provider complete our medical exemption form or that you complete our religious exemption form. When providing in-home services, our staff will wear a protective face covering and practice sanitizing and disinfecting. You’ll find more about our COVID policy on our web site.
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UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES |
JUNE
3rd - Blind Bingo, 5- 8 p.m. (At the agency. Space limited. Vaccination or exemption required. Masking in effect.)
8th - Education series: Technological Research on Sight Restoration with Daniel Rathbun, Ph.D. (Bionics are real!)
Time: Noon
18th - Open Mic, 4-7 p.m. (At the agency. Space limited. Vaccination or exemption required. Masking in effect.)
20th - GDABVI recognition of Juneteenth Holiday. Agency staff unavailable.
23rd - Farmers Market Field Trip, 4-8 p.m. More info to come.
25th - 2022 Planting Party, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (At the agency)
28th - Helping Hands Support Group, 1- 3 p.m. (virtual). Join the June Zoom meeting online or use this one tap phone number: +13017158592,,88381700697#,,,,*034922#.
29th - Disability Spotlight: Voting and Accommodations. Our guest speaker will be Dave Foster, Senior Election Specialist for the Ombudsman for Accessible Elections at the Michigan Bureau of Elections.
Time: 1 p.m.
JULY
1st - Blind Bingo, 5- 8 p.m. (At the agency. Space limited. Vaccination or exemption required. Masking required in effect.)
4th - Independence Day Holiday. Agency staff unavailable.
14th, 28th - Farmers Market Field Trip, 4-8 p.m. More info to come.
16th - Open Mic, 4-7 p.m. (At the agency. Space limited. Vaccination or exemption required. Masking in effect.)
26th - Helping Hands Support Group, 1- 3 p.m. (At the agency. Space limited. Vaccination or exemption required. Masking in effect.) Registration will be required. RSVP at 313-591-3792.
AUGUST
6th – Audio Descriptive Movie Night: Mark your calendar and plan to join us for an opening weekend movie experience. Stay tuned!
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YOUR DONATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE |
For over 60 years and across seven counties, the Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind & Visually Impaired provides services that help maintain independence for individuals living with blindness or visual impairment, and programs that help preserve sight for those in danger of losing theirs. We’ve achieved life-changing successes with generous support of donors like you. Thank you.
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented challenges to our families, friends, communities – and the agency – that that have made us reassess what really matters in our lives. Our priorities haven’t changed: We will continue serving those who rely on our programs through traditional and expanded services designed to empower our constituents and enable them to pursue and achieve their goals and dreams the way Priscilla Miley has.
Priscilla was born sighted but was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in her early 30s, which led to full vision loss due to neuromyelitis optica just a few years later. Once she realized she’d have to learn how to do things differently – from as simple as identifying the colors in her clothing to as complicated as learning assistive technology in order to use a computer – the importance of vision rehabilitation training became clearly evident. So, Priscilla trained, went on to earn her master's degree from Western Michigan University, and has journeyed full circle to become GDABVI’s Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist.
“It has been a joy to work with people with vision loss because I know firsthand how important it is to receive vision rehab training. This training increased my self-esteem and gave me the knowledge and confidence to take care of my personal needs as well as my vocational aspirations,” she says. “Learning these skills has also provided my loved ones with the security of knowing that I am able to live independently and safely with vision loss. Now I’m able to provide these necessary services to others to help them achieve this goal.”
Your donation helps ensure our quality programs and services can continue. We ask you to please take a few minutes today to complete and return the attached donation form in the enclosed envelope. You can also donate online through our web site at www.lifebeyondsight.org/donate. We appreciate your support – especially during these tight economic times – and look forward to changing lives throughout Southeastern Michigan through another 60 years of service.
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JOIN THE UPSHAW CIRCLE of LEADERSHIP GIVERS |
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You’re invited to join The Upshaw Circle of Distinguished Donors.
Upshaw Circle donors give a minimum of $500 to GDABVI and commit to renewing that gift for at least two years. This ongoing commitment will help the agency continue providing its critical
programming and services, while expanding its outreach to even more individuals.
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Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind & Visually Impaired
16625 Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI 48227 (313) 272-3900
www.lifebeyondsight.org
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GDABVI relies on the generous support of a variety of donors to help maintain programs and services. Every dollar makes a difference. |
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