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changing vision

LightHouse News

Ten-Week Peer Support Group in Spanish

Anabella Denisoff and Esmeralda Soto will co-facilitate a support group starting Wednesday, June 22 to August 31. This group will meet every Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at our new headquarters.

Where: LightHouse for the Blind, 1155 Market St., 10th Floor, San Francisco, California 94103.
When: Wednesdays, from June 22 to August 31, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Each week there will be a new topic for discussion regarding all aspects of living independently with changing vision. Thanks to a grant from the CA State Department of Rehabilitation OIB funding, there is no charge for people 55 and over. Scholarships are available to adults under 55.To register for this group, contact: Esmeralda Soto at 415-694-7323 or esoto@lighthouse-sf.org.

Diez Semanas de Grupo de Apoyo en Español
Anabella Denisoff y Esmeralda Soto facilitaran un grupo de apoyo, comenzara Miércoles, Junio 22-Agosto 31, 2016. El grupo se reunirá cada Miércoles de las 2:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. en nuestro nuevo edificio.

Dónde: LightHouse for the Blind, 1155 Market St., 10th Floor, San Francisco, California 94103.
Cuando: todos los Miércoles entre 22 de Junio a 31 de Augusto, 2:00 p.m. a 4:00 p.m.

Cada semana habrá un nuevo tema para discusión tocante todos aspectos sobre viviendo independientemente con los cambios de visión. Gracias al OIB(Older Individuals who are Blind) financiada por el Departamento de Rehabilitación del Estado de California no habrá costo a adultos 55 años de edad o más. Becas seran disponible a adultos menor de 55 años de edad. Para registrarse para el grupo, por favor de contactar a: Esmeralda Soto al 415-694-7323 o esoto@lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

Stay the Week – Learn and Connect at our New Headquarters

Students and instructors from the January class gather for a group photo in front of the fireplace at Enchanted Hills RetreatJoin us this month for our first Changing Vision Changing Life (CVCL) Immersion Training at our new Headquarters offices at 1155 Market Street in San Francisco.

Our new Student Residences can accommodate 2 to 3 students per room. Each Student Residence offers wireless internet connections, recharging stations and a personal bureau.  Students will be provided with a continental breakfast, lunch and dinner. The lodging is akin to a modern Bed and Breakfast – private men’s and women’s facilities are a short walk down the hall from each room. Student lodging is secure and comfortable both for learning and for connecting with others when there is a break from training.

Dates for our upcoming training sessions in 2016, all at our new Headquarters in San Francisco

Where: LightHouse for the Blind, 1155 Market St., 10th Floor, San Francisco, California 94103

Session Dates:

June Session: June 13th to 17th (Deadline for sign-up is June 3rd.)
July Session: July 10th to 15th (note: all training in Spanish) (Deadline for sign-up is July 1st.)
August Session: August 16th to 22nd (training starts at our Napa site and finishes in San Francisco) (Deadline for sign-up is August 5th.)
September Session: September 18th to 23rd (Deadline for sign-up is August 9th.)

Over 160 active adults from all parts of Northern California have participated in the LightHouse immersion training programs at the Enchanted Hills Retreat in Napa. Providing a second venue to facilitate Changing Vision Changing Life Immersion brings to our students the urban feel of training as well as the additional access a city has to offer, such as visiting the library for the blind; attending an audio described movie at a local movie theater or participating in an accessible art tour at one of the many museums in San Francisco.

You can be one of the first to go through our 2016 Immersion training in San Francisco. In our new urban environment you and your peers will be immersed in building a foundation of independent living skills, access technology skills, orientation and mobility and peer support to get you started on your journey of living your life the way you want in maintaining your independence. All of this along with the energy and vibrancy of one of the most beautiful cities in the world surrounding you.

The CVCL curriculum, presented in four or five sessions per day, includes: ways to read printed materials; understanding how lighting, contrast and magnification can help you every day; techniques for organizing and labeling in your home or office; best methods for taking notes; basic cooking skills; traveling and moving safely and confidently in your home and in the community and understanding how accessible computers and other high and low tech equipment can enhance your life.

Evening discussions focus inwards, from conversations about holding yourself accountable on your journey, to self-advocacy to questions about how friends, family and partners can understand/support you and your path. Sometimes the process is planned, other times it becomes very organic. Each person and every group of students is different and we individualize much of the experience depending on your own aspirations.

Gaining understanding of what is available to you, getting hands-on with new skills and developing renewed confidence with changing vision is the overall theme of the week. While the experience is different for everyone, the act of coming together with other adult students and teachers who are blind or have low vision, to learn or relearn skills and get back into the stream of life, is a pivotal part of the week-long experience.

Transportation access to San Francisco from Humboldt County will be provided for North Coast students and for those who reside in the bay area, 1155 Market sits right above the Civic Center BART and is only a short cab ride or bus from the Cal Train Station and the temporary Trans Bay Terminal.

Blind or low vision students who are interested should have a genuine interest in learning the skills for moving forward; enjoy learning with a group of peers and are able to participate full day (from 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. every day) of active learning and physical participation (urban mobility and public transit in San Francisco).

Note, there is no cost to attend if you are 55 or older and living in San Francisco, Alameda, Marin, Humboldt or Del Norte counties. Limited scholarships are available for persons under 55 and not eligible for Department of Rehabilitation Services.

The Changing Vision Changing Life Immersion Training is open to adults who are ready for a jump start or a recharge as their vision has changed. Be the first student to join us in San Francisco. Interested? Contact LightHouse staff in San Francisco, San Rafael or Eureka:

LightHouse News

Summer in the City – Changing Vision Changing Life, Immersion Training in San Francisco

For more than three years now, over 150 active adults from all parts of Northern California have participated in the LightHouse immersion training programs at the Enchanted Hills Retreat in Napa. Come June, we are excited to add a new venue for our immersion training, our new headquarters in San Francisco at 1155 Market. You can be one of the first to go through our 2016 Immersion training in San Francisco.

In our new urban environment you and your peers will be immersed in building a foundation of independent living skills, access technology skills, orientation and mobility and peer support to get you started on your journey of living your life the way you want in maintaining your independence. All of this along with the energy and vibrancy of one of the most beautiful cities in the world surrounding you.

The CVCL curriculum, presented in four or five sessions per day, includes: ways to read printed materials; understanding how lighting, contrast and magnification can help you every day; techniques for organizing and labeling in your home or office; best methods for taking notes; basic cooking skills; traveling and moving safely and confidently in your home and in the community and understanding how accessible computers and other high and low tech equipment can enhance your life.

Evening discussions focus inwards, from conversations about holding yourself accountable on your journey, to self-advocacy, to questions about how friends, family and partners can understand/support you and your path. Sometimes the process is planned, other times it becomes very organic. Every person and every group of students is different and we individualize much of the experience depending on your own aspirations.

Gaining understanding of what is available to you, getting hands-on with new skills and developing renewed confidence with changing vision is the overall theme of the week. While the experience is different for everyone, the act of coming together with other adults, both students and teachers, who are blind or have low vision, to learn or relearn skills, and to get back into the stream of life, remains a pivotal part of the week-long experience.

In San Francisco, students will live in comfortable shared accommodations (minimum two to a room) and are provided continental breakfast, lunch and dinner. The lodging is akin to a modern Bed and Breakfast – private men’s and women’s facilities are a short walk down the hall from each room. The student lodging is secure and comfortable for learning and connecting with others when there is a break from training.

Transportation access to San Francisco from Humboldt County will be provided for North Coast students and for those who reside in the bay area, 1155 Market sits right above the Civic Center BART and is only a short cab ride or bus from the Cal Train Station and the temporary Trans Bay Terminal.

Blind or low vision students who are interested should have a genuine interest in learning the skills for moving forward; enjoy learning with a group of peers and are able to participate full day (from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. every day) of active learning and physical participation (urban mobility and public transit in San Francisco).

Note, there is no cost to attend if you are 55 or older and living in San Francisco, Alameda, Marin, Humboldt or Del Norte counties and limited scholarships are available for persons under 55 and not eligible for Department of Rehabilitation Services.

Dates for our upcoming training sessions, all at our new headquarters in San Francisco

June 12 through 17
July 10 through 15 (note: all training in Spanish)
July 31 through August 5

The Changing Vision Changing Life Immersion Training is open to adults who are ready for a jump start or a recharge as their vision has changed. Interested? Contact LightHouse staff in San Francisco, San Rafael or Eureka:

LightHouse News

Changing Vision Changing Life, Immersion Training – Plan for your April in Napa or your Summer in San Francisco

Students and instructors from the January class gather for a group photo in front of the fireplace at Enchanted Hills RetreatFor more than three years now, the LightHouse has developed our six-day Changing Vision Changing Life (CVCL) immersion training program at Enchanted Hills Retreat in Napa. Each CVCL session brings together up to 14 adult students of all ages, from Northern California and the Central Valley, who are either new to low vision or blindness, or have had a significant change in vision and have requested additional training.

We’re excited to announce that come June, we will add a very special new venue for training – our newly constructed headquarters at 1155 Market Street in San Francisco. But no matter the site, Napa or San Francisco, the outcome is the same, to provide you with a myriad of options, information, basic training and support to get you started on the journey of living your life the way you want and maintaining your independence.

The CVCL curriculum, presented in four or five sessions per day, includes: ways to read printed materials; understanding how lighting, contrast and magnification can help you every day; techniques for organizing and labeling in your home or office; best methods for taking notes; basic cooking skills; traveling and moving safely and confidently in your home and in the community and understanding how accessible computers and other high and low tech equipment can enhance your life.

Evening discussions focus inwards, from conversations about holding yourself accountable on you journey, to self-advocacy, to questions about how friends, family and partners can understand/support you and your path. Sometimes the process is planned, other times it becomes very organic. Every person and every group of students is different and we individualize much of the experience depending on your own aspirations.

Gaining understanding of what is available to you, getting hands-on with new skills and developing renewed confidence with changing vision is the overall theme of the week. While the experience is different for everyone, the act of coming together with other adults, both students and teachers, who are blind or have low vision, to learn or relearn skills, and to get back into the stream of life, remains a pivotal part of the week-long experience.

At both sites, students will live in comfortable shared accommodations (minimum two to a room), are provided three meals a day and have transportation access to Napa from San Francisco, Berkeley, San Rafael and Eureka. If you are blind or have low vision and want attend a CVCL session you must be genuinely interested in learning the skills for moving forward; enjoy learning with a group of peers and must be able and willing to participate full day (from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., every day) of active learning and physical participation (rural mobility in Napa/urban mobility in San Francisco).

Note, there is no cost to attend if you are 55 or older and living in San Francisco, Alameda, Marin, Humboldt or Del Norte counties and limited scholarships are available for persons who are under 55 and not eligible for Department of Rehabilitation Services.

Dates for our upcoming training sessions:

April 10 through 14 at Enchanted Hills Retreat in Napa

June 12 through 17 at our new headquarters in San Francisco

July 10 through 15 at our new headquarters in San Francisco (note: all training in Spanish)

July 31 through 5 at our new headquarters in San Francisco

The Changing Vision Changing Life Immersion Training is open to adults who are ready for a jump start or, a recharge as vision has changed. Interested? Contact us in San Francisco, San Rafael or Eureka to find out more our sign up:

LightHouse News

LightHouse Featured in the New York Times

1 Commenton LightHouse Featured in the New York Times

Image of blindfolded person with light shining on its face. Image by Brian Stauffer.LightHouse student Eleanor Lew writes in the New York Times about her experience with our Changing Vision Changing Life Immersion Program for people who are new to low vision or blindness. It shows the impact the program has on our students’ lives.

Read Eleanor’s article, “Travelers in the Dark”

Would you or someone you know benefit from Changing Vision Changing Life?
Our week-long sessions are now being offered at Enchanted Hills Retreat in Napa and also soon, at our new headquarters (with dormitories) in San Francisco.

During the Immersion, up to 14 students come together in an intensive and immersive week of learning skills, sharing stories, exchanging solutions and supporting each other. Because learning takes time, commitment and development of new skills and sensitivities, this week provides our students the opportunity to become acquainted with essential skills that support their journey to independence and confident living. Students focus on a variety of training including orientation and mobility, tech training, cooking and daily living skills.

We have several Changing Vision Changing Life sessions coming up the next few months:
April 4th through 8th
June 12th through 17th
July 11th through  July 15th (for Spanish speakers)
For more information, contact Debbie Bacon at 415-694-7357 or dbacon@lighthouse-sf.org.