Georgia Statewide Coalition on Blindness Convention headed to Albany

ALBANY — Vision-impaired Georgians from across the state will gather in Albany this weekend for the Georgia Statewide Coalition on Blindness’ (GSCB) annual convention.

The convention celebrates 17 years of advocacy for GSCB as the organization strives for its new vision of employment and equality.

“More than 70 percent of blind people are unemployed. We are skilled but most people will not give us a chance to prove it,” GSCB Social Media Manager Debbie McDonald said. “And the jobs we do get are mostly sub-minimum wage and that is allowed by law. We are trying to get that law removed from the books.”

The GSCB’s purpose is to positively change people’s attitudes about blindness, while focusing on enhancing education opportunities for school-age blind students; ensuring specialized services for the blind are designed to achieve integrated employment outcomes ; and ensuring the older blind (55 and up) receive specialized services designed to allow them to live independently in their communities.

“We want to educate people in this area about blindness and our rights,” McDonald said. “Blind people tend to shut themselves away from sighted people and we want them to know that it’s OK to be blind. We also want to educate on the dangers of diabetes and urge people to come listen to our speakers on how to become more independent.”

GSCB Chairman VaShaun Jones stressed that the organization is a problem-solving group, not a grievance group.

“We work together to present a united front in order to get the best possible service for all blind people in the state of Georgia,” Jones said. “Any organization that works with the blind in Georgia, as well as individuals who do not belong to any group, may be involved with the coalition. It is a problem-solving, proactive group, not a grievance group. If someone has an issue, he or she is encouraged to be part of the solution.”

The event kicks off Friday from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with “Georgia On My Mind” cookout at Chehaw Park (admission fee required).

On Saturday the event shifts to the Hilton Garden Park. Registration ($20 cash only) opens at 8 a.m. with the convention officially opening at 8:45 a.m. Speakers are scheduled until 1 p.m.

At 3 p.m., a “Bigger Vision with a Greater Impact” rally will be held at the Ray Charles Plaza with the convention scheduled to wrap up at 4:45 p.m.

Jones said that the convention is open to all.

“We will have the opportunity to freely voice our concerns about the issues in our community and come up with solutions together that makes the difference in the life’s of blind Georgians forever,” Jones said. “We can leave a legacy with this one weekend …”