PineCone offers sighted guides for blind and low vision folks during the annual bluegrass festival in Raleigh. It’s part of our ongoing efforts to make our programs welcoming and accessible to all. Since this training program began in 2016 we’ve connected hundreds of volunteers with the skillset they need to serve as sighted guides for blind and low vision folks at the festival. No prior experience is necessary — but we are requiring that all volunteer guides show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 and be willing to wear a mask at all times (even outdoors) upon request.
This year’s training sessions are being held at Kennedy Theater, in the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh.
Tuesday August 30 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday September 4 3:00-4:30pm
Trainings are led by local orientation and mobility specialist Claire Hakin, with assistance from longtime PineCone members and advocates John and Sandy DeLuca, community members who themselves have low vision. John currently serves on the board of Arts Access; Sandy is a “mostly retired” former teacher for blind and visually impaired students in Gaston County, Wake County, and the Governor Morehead School for the Blind in Raleigh. She also worked as a children’s consultant for Services for the Blind (serving 34 counties in western NC) and as an adjunct professor in a teacher training program at NC Central. She also does some occasional Braille proofreading.
If you’ve been trained before, this will serve as a refresher, as well as an update about some elements and information unique to this year’s festival.
Perks for volunteering include Bluegrass Ramble showcase admission, volunteer t-shirt, free parking. Plus, some of our guide partnerships have turned into long-term friendships!
For more information, contact Gloria Mock at 919-664-8333 or gloria@pinecone.org.
Training is free to attend; RSVPs are requested so we know how many people to expect at each training session.
PineCone offers sighted guides for blind and low vision folks during the annual bluegrass festival in Raleigh. It’s part of our ongoing efforts to make our programs welcoming and accessible to all. Since this training program began in 2016 we’ve connected hundreds of volunteers with the skillset they need to serve as sighted guides for blind and low vision folks at the festival. No prior experience is necessary — but we are requiring that all volunteer guides show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 and be willing to wear a mask at all times (even outdoors) upon request.
This year’s training sessions are being held at Kennedy Theater, in the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh.
Tuesday August 30 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday September 4 3:00-4:30pm
Trainings are led by local orientation and mobility specialist Claire Hakin, with assistance from longtime PineCone members and advocates John and Sandy DeLuca, community members who themselves have low vision. John currently serves on the board of Arts Access; Sandy is a “mostly retired” former teacher for blind and visually impaired students in Gaston County, Wake County, and the Governor Morehead School for the Blind in Raleigh. She also worked as a children’s consultant for Services for the Blind (serving 34 counties in western NC) and as an adjunct professor in a teacher training program at NC Central. She also does some occasional Braille proofreading.
If you’ve been trained before, this will serve as a refresher, as well as an update about some elements and information unique to this year’s festival.
Perks for volunteering include Bluegrass Ramble showcase admission, volunteer t-shirt, free parking. Plus, some of our guide partnerships have turned into long-term friendships!
For more information, contact Gloria Mock at 919-664-8333 or gloria@pinecone.org.
Training is free to attend; RSVPs are requested so we know how many people to expect at each training session.