MAB - Roe River Chapter
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The Roe River Chapter of the Montana Association for the Blind, located in Great Falls, serves as a hub of community, support, and empowerment for individuals with vision loss. As a newly established chapter, our mission is to foster independence and enhance the quality of life for blind and visually impaired residents in Great Falls and surrounding areas.
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2026 MAB Convention - 80 Years Serving the Blind
The Montana Association for the Blind proudly invites members, families, friends, professionals, and community supporters to the 80th Annual MAB Convention, September 11-13, 2026, in Great Falls, Montana.
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New! Braille Buddies - Braille Learning and Support Group
The New Braille Buddies program from the Roe River Chapter is a welcoming peer-support initiative designed to encourage and support new braille readers as they build confidence and skills. Whether someone is just beginning to explore braille or returning to it after vision changes, participants are paired with experienced braille users who offer guidance, practice, and encouragement in a relaxed, judgment-free environment. Support is available either in person or over Zoom, making the program accessible to members across the region. More than just learning dots and patterns, New Braille Buddies fosters connection, independence, and a shared sense of progress within the blind and low vision community.
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Summer Orientation Program
The Summer Orientation Program is a hands-on, immersive experience that helps blind and low vision students build confidence, independence, and practical skills they can carry into everyday life. Because the program takes place right in our own backyard, the Roe River Chapter plays an active role in supporting students beyond the classroom. Chapter members help coordinate and host activities during students’ downtime, giving them opportunities to relax, socialize, and explore the community in a meaningful way. From bowling nights and casual dinners to nature hikes and local outings, these activities reinforce orientation and mobility skills while also creating space for connection, fun, and a sense of belonging. Through this support, the Roe River Chapter helps ensure the Summer Orientation Program is not only educational, but welcoming, engaging, and rooted in real community life.
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Monthly Chapter Meetings
The Roe River Chapter meets on the second Saturday of each month at 11:00 AM, providing members with a welcoming space to connect, share updates, and engage in meaningful discussion. Meetings focus on chapter business, upcoming events, advocacy issues, and resources relevant to blind and low vision individuals in the Great Falls area, while also offering time for conversation, mutual support, and community building among members and guests.
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Become a Member Today!
Becoming a member of the Roe River Chapter in Great Falls means joining a supportive and welcoming community of blind and low vision individuals who learn, share, and grow together. Members have access to Braille Buddies classes for learning and practicing braille, Chapter Chatter for staying connected and sharing updates, and opportunities for meaningful community engagement. Whether you are newly blind, have low vision, or have been part of the community for years, the Roe River Chapter offers a friendly space to connect with others, build skills, and be part of a group that truly understands and supports one another.
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Contact the Roe River Chapter
The Roe River Chapter welcomes questions, ideas, and involvement from anyone interested in learning more about our work. The easiest way to get in touch is by email, where a chapter officer can respond and help connect you with meetings, programs, or volunteer opportunities. You may also reach out during our regular chapter meetings, which are open and welcoming to members and guests alike. We’re always glad to hear from community members and fellow Montanans who want to get involved or learn more about the chapter.
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Make a Donation
Donations to the MAB Roe River Chapter are guided by the unwritten but deeply valued principle of Treasure, Talent, and Time. We understand that everyone gives in different ways, and all forms of support are meaningful to our chapter. Financial contributions help us fund programs, events, and outreach that directly benefit blind and low vision individuals in our community. Equally important are donations of talent—sharing skills, knowledge, or professional expertise—and time, whether through volunteering at events, helping with planning, or simply showing up to support one another. This approach also shapes how we request support for chapter activities and events, ensuring that giving is accessible, respectful, and inclusive for everyone who wants to be involved.
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Most Recent RRC Updates
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Convention Presenters: Aaron Nordstrom
Aaron Nordstrom is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer best known as the frontman and co-founder of the cinematic rock band Gemini Syndrome. Based in the American Southwest, his musical journey spans diverse projects—from performing with Otep to co-founding the raw rock project Woyote alongside Mikey Doling, as well as launching his intimate solo acoustic endeavor, Manakin Music. Viewing creative expression as both a vocation and a spiritual practice, Aaron integrates principles from philosophy and Chinese martial arts into his work to explore balance, self-reflection, and transformation. In addition to his own recording and touring career, he serves as a producer, vocal coach, and mentor, helping other artists translate human experience and inner alchemy into authentic sound
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Convention Presenters: Angela Tabb - COMS
Angela Tabb is a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) who has spent her career supporting people who are blind or have low vision across the lifespan, from infancy through older adulthood. Her experience includes delivering services and training for learners and professionals in schools, rehabilitation, nonprofit, and community settings across Tennessee, Texas, Montana, Colorado, and Hawaii. She currently serves as Chair of the PsychoSocial Services Interest Group for the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) and is serving a caseload of children at the Texas School for Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) in Texas.
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Convention Presenters: MonTECH - Michelle Allen
Michelle Allen is an Assistive Technology Professional at MonTECH’s Missoula office, serving individuals across western and central Montana. Building on an early career supporting children with developmental disabilities, Michelle brings over seven years of experience at MonTECH to help Montanans of all ages overcome everyday challenges through adaptive tools and assistive technology.
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