I am so fortunate to work with visually impaired organization and communities across the Denver Area. While all of these organizations specialize in a specific cause, they are united in a common goal: to increase independence, confidence, and accessibility for blind individuals. They seek to raise awareness about disabilities, integrate all people to find a sense of community, and give them the tools and resources they need to succeed. By establishing equality and justice, these places address issues of access, equity, opportunity, and inclusion within a society catered to the sighted.

Anchor Center is a nonprofit organization that works with visually impaired children ages 0-5 to provide early intervention and education. Volunteers, teachers, and staff work to help them with emotional development, early education, and independence training to instill confidence. Through this, families, siblings, and children can find individualized help in allowing them to learn more about blindness and alternative solutions. As Anchor Center also works with dual-sensory and cognitive issues, it addresses a broad social issue of embracing diversity and disabilities of all forms within an early learning environment.

The Colorado Center for the Blind provides training, support, and opportunities that blind individuals and others need to empower them to develop positive attitudes and lead independent lives as fully integrated, productive and contributing members of society. Their philosophy is centered around the fact that blindness does not need to impede a persons ability. They aim to revolutionize the way the public thinks about blindness and create vibrant programs that change negative myths about blindness into positive new realities. This empower blind people to learn the skills and build the confidence to be successful personally and professionally. While Anchor Center focuses on educational access, CCB tackles the issue of equality within adult life and the work space, as well as passing new laws for human rights for all.

Similarly, The Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB) provides children and families statewide with comprehensive, specialized educational services in safe, nurturing environments. We empower learners to become self-determined, independent contributing citizens within their communities. In this, they aim to prepare students for an engaging secondary school experience or occupation by provide resources and a variety of skill training. Since it encompasses deaf populations as well, CSDB explores the intersectionality of disability and promotes equal rights for a wide range of specific needs.

I am involved with this social issue in a variety of ways. First, I serve as an active volunteer, supporting organizations in their promotion of their missions and beliefs. I am a lead for respite Arts and Craft activities as well as the organizer of countless events, clubs, and fundraisers. In this, I am a friend and supporter to many visually impaired students and help form a sense of belonging and community for the people I interact with. I am also a member of the National Federation of the Blind, spreading awareness and advocating for the cause in the public. This means involvement in important legislative movements and new accessibility developments. In addition, I work 1 on 1 with TVI's and students to integrate inclusive learning within Denver classrooms. The other main ways I have promoted the cause have been planning a tactile book for the blind and using a grant to create an accessible art program for students across the Denver area.