Press Release
For Immediate Release - May 7, 2007

Contact: Rob Ennamorato - Communications Specialist
(410) 737-2615    rennamorato@bism.org

BISM Senior Services hosts a four-day Senior Retreat

Baltimore, MD - TThe Senior Services division of Blind Industries and Services of Maryland's (BISM) Training Department, a not-for-profit organization that provides training and employment opportunities for blind citizens of Maryland, hosts a Senior Independent Living, Vision, Education & Rehabilitation (SILVER) Retreat from May 8 to May 11 at its Baltimore headquarters.

Blind and visually impaired seniors, from across the state of Maryland, will be on hand to experience a diverse schedule of training classes, guest speakers, discussions, meals and fun activities. The SILVER Retreat is free to all participants and includes a three-night stay at a local hotel.

The BISM Senior Services staff, many of whom are blind or visually impaired, will provide participants with informative one-on-one and group instruction in cane travel, communication, independent living, computer technology, and Braille.

The retreat participants will master how to accomplish everyday tasks using non-visual, innovative methods. BISM Senior Services is dedicated to providing blind and visually impaired seniors with the skills, confidence, and support to remain self-sufficient or to regain their independence.

The SILVER workshop is an excellent opportunity for local media outlets to witness the positive impact Blind Industries and Services of Maryland has on the community.

The following is the schedule of events for the BISM Senior Retreat:

TUESDAY, May 8, 2007
12 noon                   Silver Retreat begins
12:00 to 12:30pm     Meet and Greet
12:30 to 1:30           Lunch
1:30 to 3                 Guest Speaker: Lynn Bailiff - Nutrition and Diabetes
3:10 to 4                  Overview of Retreat
                               Philosophy Discussion
                               Independence and Cane Travel
4 to 5:45                  Ratner Museum sculpting class
6 to 7                       Dinner

WEDNESDAY, May 9, 2007
8:45 am to 10         Discussion “What have you given up doing?
10 to 11                 Period 1 classes (five rotations): Independent Living, Braille, Cane Travel, Computer Technology, Communication
11 to 12 noon         Period 2 classes
12 to 1 pm              Lunch   “Build Your Own Sandwich”
1 to 2                     Period 3 classes
2 to 3                     Period 4 classes
3:15 to 4:15            Period 5 classes
4:15 to 5:15            Movies: BISM Video, Lions Club Video
5:30 to 7:30            FIESTA!
                                 Sing-a-long
                                 Mexican Fiesta Dinner
                                 Mexican Hat Dance
                                 Flower Making
                                 Piñata

THURSDAY, May 10, 2007
8:45 am to10           Discussion in Harford Room
10 to 11                  Period 1 classes (four rotations)
11 to 12 noon          Period 2 classes
12 to 1 pm              Lunch
1 to 1:45                 Period 3 classes
1:45 to 2:30            Period 4 classes
2:45                       Travel to Walters Art Museum, Baltimore
4 to 6                     Accessible Tour of Walters Art Museum
7 to 9                     Macaroni Garden Dinner

FRIDAY, May 11, 2007
9 am to 9:30          Complete surveys
9:30 to 10:30         Wrap-up discussion
10:30 to 11            Closing Ceremony

Interested media outlets should contact Rob Ennamorato at (410) 737-2615 for more information. Thank you for your time