Tag Archive

Employment

A listing of employment opportunities that may appeal to blind and visually impaired individuals.

Youth Employment Series (YES) Workshops Now Year-Round
LightHouse News

Youth Employment Series (YES) Workshops Now Year-Round

1 Commenton Youth Employment Series (YES) Workshops Now Year-Round

Photo: YES Academy students raise their arms in happy unison while seated in a MUNI F-Line heritage streetcar.

Beginning in September, the LightHouse Youth Program begins its new academic year with our YES Saturday Workshop Series for transition aged students ages 14 to 26 who are blind or have low vision. Students must be eligible for transitional rehabilitation services, deemed legally blind by a physician or accredited agency, and able to fulfill the training and work required by the program.

Participants in the YES Workshop Series will benefit from vocational and blindness skills training, meaningful work and volunteer opportunities, as well as career-specific mentorships with the working blind. Our goal is to help students become ready to attend institutes of higher education or move towards successfully employed. We’ll offer presentations by keynote speakers and collaborative skill-focused activities led by successful blind professionals. Students will gain invaluable wisdom that can help them grow and shape themselves into competent blind adults.

September YES Workshop: Making Lasting Impressions
When: Saturday, September 10, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: the new LightHouse Building, 1155 Market St., 10th Floor, San Francisco, 94103

Our September YES workshop will focus on teaching students how to make positive lasting impressions. Students will discuss in detail with experienced blind and low vision working mentors the  best ways to become proficient at making positive first impressions and how to confidently interact with the public’s perception of blindness.

Through fun and interactive hands-on activities, students will get the chance to learn what type of body language and attire will be appropriate for the real world situations they will likely encounter as they pursue their education and their career.

Additional Scheduled Workshops for Fall

Making Advocacy Awesome!
Saturday, October 8, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 Making Work Exciting
Saturday, November 12, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Is There a Cost to Attend the YES Workshops?
The cost to attend one of the LightHouse Youth Employment Series workshops is $175 per day-long workshop. In addition to the day’s activities and curriculum, students will receive a light breakfast, lunch and refreshments throughout the day. Department of Rehabilitation authorizations or other payment source must be secured before students will be eligible to participate.

If you have any questions or wish to apply, please contact Youth Services Coordinator Richie Flores at rflores@lighthouse-sf.orgg or 415-694-7328.

What is the LightHouse YES: Youth Employment Series?
LightHouse YES: Youth Employment Series is a practical and educational series of monthly workshops providing transition-aged youth who are blind or have low vision vital skills and practices that will help them become more successful in higher education and their chosen career path.

Topics to be discussed during these workshops include but are not limited to:

  • Work-based learning experiences, such as in-school or after school work experience, and internships.
  • Guidance toward opportunities for enrollment in a comprehensive transition or postsecondary educational program at an institution of higher education.
  • School-based preparatory employment experiences such as role playing, social skills development and independent living training, coordinated with any transition services provided by the school.
  • Instruction in self-advocacy, individual rights, self-determination skills and the informed consent process, as well as peer mentoring.
  • Accommodations available to college students and those entering the workforce.
  • Acquiring access technology skills which can be applied to real world situations.
  • Acquiring and using blindness skills that will enrich life and help students achieve their goals, be more confident and learn how to advocate their needs.
  • How to smoothly navigate through any system as a student transitioning into college from high school or from college to a career.
  • Developing effective cover letters, resumes and interview skills.
  • Learning strategies that will help students make strong and positive first impressions.
  • Learning how to develop, enhance and utilize one’s network and relationships with peers and mentors.
  • Job exploration counseling.
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Employment Immersion Trainer

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POSITION:           Employment Immersion Trainer

REPORTS TO:       Employment Immersion Manager

STATUS:              Exempt

JOB PURPOSE:

LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is looking for a professional, engaging and student-oriented Employment Immersion Trainer to join the LightHouse team as we embark on a fresh journey in our new building in the heart of downtown San Francisco. With 90 employees and an annual budget of $12.5 million, the LightHouse has the resources and imagination to help change the lives of the blind and low vision population of the greater Bay Area and beyond. One of San Francisco’s oldest and best-known philanthropies, we now have expanded into our brand-new, state-of-the-art  headquarters on Market Street, where we coordinate volunteers, big tech, teachers, families, students and a caring staff together to design and build new ways to help people with visual impairments.

The primary purpose of this position is to ensure that blind and visually-impaired students are provided practical, accessible and required training and support for their job search and application process.  The Employment Immersion Trainer will work closely with the EI Job Developer to ensure that timely encouragement and support is given to participants during formal class sessions and the subsequent job search phase.

The Employment Immersion Trainer will coordinate and teach standard aspects of career exploration, job search, interviewing, networking and job-carving.  This position will develop and maintain a system to keep every class participant accountable for specific actions throughout their enrollment in the program.

Importantly, however, our Employment Immersion program understands that successful blind jobseekers need to learn something far more profound than résumé writing and practice interviews.  We believe that many of the barriers to employment come from the blind applicant’s lack of self-confidence and often lack of self-respect.  The successful trainer will know how to teach and communicate a sense of blind history, empowerment, and will work to ensure that jobseekers meet, engage and connect with blind people already doing the kinds of work the jobseeker aspires to gain.  Consequently the trainer’s role will be often as a catalyst to connect mentors, to use video and literature and social media to empower jobseekers with a practical view of the employment possibilities ahead of them.

Additionally, many jobseekers may be blind but still uncomfortable with their disability.  The trainer’s job will be in part to connect these students to Lighthouse services and other activities which will strengthen their understanding of the normality of blindness and their right to participate fully in the world of work.

  

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education or equivalent: Bachelor degree or equivalent and relevant work experience

Experience:  Experience working with disabled community highly preferred. Experience with delivery of program content to diverse audiences

Other: Superior communication and interpersonal skills are essential.  Must be a skilled computer user, particularly with Microsoft Suite programs including Outlook, Word and Excel.

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Able to sit at a desk and perform computer-intensive work for long periods of time; operate standard office equipment; move 20lbs independently.

 

ACCOUNTABILITIES: 

  • Collaborate with Senior Director Programs and Employment Immersion Manager to create Job Preparation components and curriculum
  • Establish and foster relationships with Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) staff to influence Client referrals to program
  • Meet with DOR Counselors regarding Individual Plans for Employment/Goals for students and determine appropriate training
  • Conduct Vocational Assessments in collaboration with appropriate LightHouse Departments
  • Conduct Workshops
    • Deliver curriculum based on Job Preparation track
    • Integrate curriculum into session agendas
    • Recruit and arrange guest speaker participation
    • Collaborate with Employment immersion Coordinator in the execution of job seeker resumes, on-line applications, etc. when indicated
    • Collaborate with Employment Immersion Coordinator to ensure authorizations, workshop attendance, consolidated placements, assignment tracking  and grant tracking are current
  • Triad with EI Job Developer and student prior to conclusion of Job Preparation to prepare for launch into Job Development
  • Plan and implement regular EI Alumni events in collaboration with EI Manager, EI Job Developer and EI Coordinator
  • Ensure integrity of EI Library. Select and categorize new materials
  • Compose timely Progress Reports
  • Support students with Personal-Vocational-Social-Adjustment (PVSA) and Job Retention activities when requested (May be shared responsibilities with EI Manager and Job Developer depending on calendar availability)

 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is an equal opportunity employer to all.  We strive to maintain a scent-free environment and a drug-free workplace. We also operate under a mutual “employment at will” policy.

 

TO APPLY:

Please submit a cover letter and résumé as Word attachments (no .PDFs please), to hr@lighthouse-sf.org, including the job title in the subject line. We will not consider videos or hyperlinks to online profiles. Due to time constraints we will only respond to complete submissions in which there is serious interest; thanks for your understanding.

New Employment Immersion Sessions
LightHouse News

New Employment Immersion Sessions

“Blind people forget that employers need them. We—the blind—have vast skillsets. We are scientists, artists, journalists, you name it. Often our blindness has nothing to do with our careers, except that it can make us stronger, and hiring us adds a diverse voice in the workplace. I remind my students that they truly are assets to any company. It’s not just a line we feed the students; it’s a reality Employment Immersion helps them discover.”—Employment Immersion Program Leader Kate Williams

Join the many LightHouse students who have found work through the LightHouse Employment Immersion Program. The program is for people who are blind or have low vision, from any background, seeking any job.

The next Employment Immersion sessions are scheduled as follows:

  • August 23 through Thursday, September 22
    Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  • October 11 through November 10
    Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  • January 10 through February 9
    Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

To learn more, contact Employment Immersion Coordinator Wanda Pearson at WPearson@lighthouse-sf.org or call 415-694-7359.

30% & Growing is Your Monthly Networking Meet-Up
LightHouse News

30% & Growing is Your Monthly Networking Meet-Up

PHOTO: Members of the 30% and Growing Club hang out at the Albatross Pub in Berkeley: (Left to right) Aly Slaughter, Laura Millar, Josh Miele, Christina Daniels and club leader Serena Olsen.

Depending on where you get your statistics, 57-70% of working-age blind people are unemployed. But what if we turned that statistic on its head? What if, instead of agonizing over the dauntingly high unemployment rate among blind people, we reframe and consider that at least 30% of blind people are fully employed? Well we’ve done just that. On the third Thursday of each month, the LightHouse celebrates working blind people at our 30% & Growing blind professionals networking meet-ups in San Francisco and the East Bay.

Who: Adults 21 and older
When: 30% and Growing meets on the third Thursday of each month, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Here are dates for August, September and October.

August:
Thursday, August 18, 6:00 p.m.
Cadillac Bar & Grill, 44 9th St., San Francisco

September:
Thursday, September 15, 6:00 p.m.
Lost and Found, 2040 Telegraph Ave., Oakland

October:
Thursday, October 20, 6:00 p.m.
Upcider, 1160 Polk St., 2nd floor, San Francisco

In a thriving metropolis like the Bay Area, every conceivable profession has a meet up group, but where do aspiring-to-be-fully-employed blind people have the same opportunity?

30% & Growing creates that space where being a fully employed blind person is perfectly normal. It’s a space where busy working blind people can take a quick time out to connect with their peers, enjoy some libations, and argue with their friends about current events—just like any other worker bees at the end of a work day.

With 30% & Growing, we intend to grow the ranks of our fully employed working-age blind people by leveraging this tremendous resource for those coming up in the ranks or even thinking about it. Blind job seekers now have this monthly resource available to them allowing them to learn from those that came before them and cull advice about their professions of interest and the unique experience of navigating a career as a blind person.

But we don’t just network – we laugh a lot. We’re serious and social, taking in the buzz of local watering holes like The Beer Hall and Dirty Water in San Francisco or Lost and Found and the Albatross in the East Bay, sampling craft beers, wines or cocktails and sating our palate with light snacks and appetizers. More importantly, 30% and Growing offers connection, dialogue, relationships, and community, and a time and place to go out with friends and colleagues for happy hour, just like any other hard-working tax payer.

For information on upcoming gatherings please contact Serena Olsen, Evening & Weekend Program Coordinator at solsen@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7316.

LightHouse News

Macro Dreams for a Microbiologist

“For me, I was most concerned about disclosing my visual impairment to future employers. I didn’t know what to say, or when to say it. Employment Immersion answered these questions and so much more,” Lien Nguyen tells us about her Employment Immersion experience.

Lien graduated from U.C. Berkeley with a B.S. in Microbial Biology in 2015, and was eager to get a job pursuing her scientific career dreams. “After graduating, I knew I wanted a job doing something related to my studies, but it was hard for me to figure out which jobs to apply to because I’m a recent college grad, and I was worried about how my vision would affect my job search.”

Kate Williams, LightHouse’s Employment Immersion Coordinator, gave Lien the boost she needed to reach for a job she deserves. Lien tells us, “Employment Immersion gave me a safe, open space to meet other blind job seekers. We were able to share our experiences, and talk about our concerns. I was able to talk about topics unique to blind job seekers, that I wasn’t able to voice with my sighted friends and family. I learned a lot from Kate and the Employment Immersion staff, and I also gained insight from my fellow peers.”

Lien gave us a specific example of a concern she had, and how the program helped her overcome that concern. “For me, the hardest part of the job application process was knowing when to disclose my visual impairment. Everyone in the group had a similar concern, so we roleplayed to practice disclosing our vision. After playing both roles—jobseeker and employer—I realized my vision isn’t a dark cloud hanging over my job search if I don’t make it one. I owned my visual impairment, and improved my ability to talk about it with prospective employers.”

detailed drawing of a bacterium

We’re excited to report that Lien landed a full-time position as a lab technician at California Microbiological Consulting, Inc. She explains, “I test the cost of the opioid epedemic to be sure they meet all the appropriate health standards. I’m excited about my position because I’m doing what I dreamed of: working in a microbiology lab.”

Lien shared some wisdom she gained from being a recent college grad looking for a job: “Don’t get frustrated, and don’t sell yourself short. You worked hard to graduate, and you interned, volunteered and probably have other relevant experience in your past. To that end, don’t stop volunteering while you look for a job. Volunteering grows your relevant work experience while expanding your network of people who may be able to help you in your job search.”

Kate sums up our excitement over Lien career success: “She’s a remarkable recent grad who reminds us all, you’re worth it, you’ve earned it, don’t slow down when you near the finish line.”

The LightHouse Employment Immersion program is for people who are blind or have low vision, from any background, seeking any job. To learn more, contact Employment Immersion Coordinator Wanda Pearson at WPearson@lighthouse-sf.org or call 415-694-7359.

LightHouse News

Apply by May 22 – Go to the NFB National Convention with LightHouse YES Academy

1 Commenton Apply by May 22 – Go to the NFB National Convention with LightHouse YES Academy

LightHouse youth group stands with Jamey Gump and Bryan Bashin

The LightHouse believes that attending consumer conventions of the blind can be an empowering tool. Since 2011 we’ve taken students and staff to a number of consumer conventions to maximize and intensify learning in a fun and adventuresome way.

With great excitement, The LightHouse Youth Program is pleased to announce its first Youth Employment Series (YES) Academy.

Academy Dates: Wednesday, June 22 to Wednesday, July 6, 2016
Deadline to register is May 22

During this two-week training academy students aged 16 to 24 will gain valuable knowledge and life experiences that will help them become more independent, confident and successful.

During the first week of this intensive program, students will stay at the brand new, state-of-the-art LightHouse headquarters in San Francisco where they will take part in a series of day-long workshops focused on acquiring knowledge about college, employment, blindness skills and self-advocacy.

LightHouse YES Academy Goes to NFB National Convention
During the second week, new skills will be put to the test when the entire academy hits the road and travels across the country to attend the National Federation of the Blind annual National Convention in Orlando, Florida, one of the largest gatherings of blind and low vision individuals and professionals in the world.

YES Academy Week Highlights
•Learn about accommodations available to college students and those entering the workforce.
•Acquire access technology skills which can be applied to real world situations, and test how effective these technologies might be for yourself.
•Acquire and use blindness skills that will enrich your life and help you achieve your goals, be more confident and learn how to advocate for your needs.
•Learn how to smoothly transition into college from high school or from college to a career.
•Develop effective cover letters and resumes.
•Practice networking, participate in mock interviews and understand how to make a strong and positive first impression.
•Learn how to develop, enhance and utilize your network and your relationships with peers and mentors.

NFB National Convention Week Highlights
•Attend the largest gathering of individuals who are blind or have low vision in the United States.
•Gain advice, wisdom and network with intelligent, charismatic and fun blind mentors and leaders.
•Share and discuss issues, ideas and perspectives of importance to the blind community with peers and mentors.
•Practice skills and techniques learned during our monthly YES Youth Employment Series and other trainings in a blind-friendly environment with thousands of low vision and blind mentors who can help you master your new skills.
•Learn about the latest and greatest technologies for the blind and low vision community at one of the largest gatherings of venders of low vision and blind technologies in the world.

Students aged 16 to 24 who are referred to the YES Academy by their Department of Rehabilitation counselor are encouraged to apply. The LightHouse YES Academy includes dormitory lodging, hotel room expenses, transportation to and from Orlando, food, registration fees and many day-to-day expenses during the academy. Transportation to and from San Francisco is not included. Payment must be secured by June 15.

Registration
The first step in the registration process is to complete the online portion of the application by May 22. Click here to go to the application form.

LightHouse Youth Services Coordinator Jamey Gump will contact you shortly after your application has been submitted to complete the application process.

If you would like more information regarding the LightHouse YES Academy, including costs, please contact Jamey Gump at 415.694.7372 or jgump@lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

Go to the NFB National Convention with LightHouse YES Academy

The LightHouse believes that attending consumer conventions of the blind can be an empowering tool. Since 2011 we’ve taken students and staff to a number of consumer conventions to maximize and intensify learning in a fun and adventuresome way.

With great excitement, The LightHouse Youth Program is pleased to announce its first Youth Employment Series (YES) Academy.

Academy Dates: Wednesday, June 22 to Wednesday, July 6, 2016

During this two-week training academy students aged 16 to 24 will gain valuable knowledge and life experiences that will help them become more independent, confident and successful.

During the first week of this intensive program, students will stay at the brand new, state-of-the-art LightHouse headquarters in San Francisco where they will take part in a series of day-long workshops focused on acquiring knowledge about college, employment, blindness skills and self-advocacy.

LightHouse YES Academy Goes to NFB National Convention
During the second week, new skills will be put to the test when the entire academy hits the road and travels across the country to attend the National Federation of the Blind annual National Convention in Orlando, Florida, one of the largest gatherings of blind and low vision individuals and professionals in the world.

YES Academy Week Highlights
•Learn about accommodations available to college students and those entering the workforce.
•Acquire access technology skills which can be applied to real world situations, and test how effective these technologies might be for yourself.
•Acquire and use blindness skills that will enrich your life and help you achieve your goals, be more confident and learn how to advocate for your needs.
•Learn how to smoothly transition into college from high school or from college to a career.
•Develop effective cover letters and resumes.
•Practice networking, participate in mock interviews and understand how to make a strong and positive first impression.
•Learn how to develop, enhance and utilize your network and your relationships with peers and mentors.

NFB National Convention Week Highlights
•Attend the largest gathering of individuals who are blind or have low vision in the United States.
•Gain advice, wisdom and network with intelligent, charismatic and fun blind mentors and leaders.
•Share and discuss issues, ideas and perspectives of importance to the blind community with peers and mentors.
•Practice skills and techniques learned during our monthly YES Youth Employment Series and other trainings in a blind-friendly environment with thousands of low vision and blind mentors who can help you master your new skills.
•Learn about the latest and greatest technologies for the blind and low vision community at one of the largest gatherings of venders of low vision and blind technologies in the world.

Students aged 16 to 24 who are referred to the YES Academy by their Department of Rehabilitation counselor are encouraged to apply. The LightHouse YES Academy includes dormitory lodging, hotel room expenses, transportation to and from Orlando, food, registration fees and many day-to-day expenses during the academy. Transportation to and from San Francisco is not included. Payment must be secured by June 15.

Registration
The first step in the registration process is to complete the online portion of the application. Click here to go to the application form.

LightHouse Youth Services Coordinator Jamey Gump will contact you shortly after your application has been submitted to complete the application process.

If you would like more information regarding the LightHouse YES Academy, including costs, please contact Jamey Gump at 415.694.7372 or jgump@lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

Networking, Mentoring, Friendships and Camaraderie – Our Latest Employment Immersion Success, Jessica Phu

Jessica Phu sits at her computer“I worked at the same company for twenty-two years, then they moved to Salt Lake City, and I found myself out of a job. I had no idea what to do. I met with a counselor from the Department of Rehabilitation in Oakland, who told me about LightHouse’s Employment Immersion program. I was reluctant, but I spoke with Kate Williams, [Employment Immersion Coordinator], and she convinced me to give it a try.”
–Jessica Phu

Jessica, LightHouse’s latest Employment Immersion success, came to us with a concern many future students have: is Employment Immersion the right fit? Jessica tells us, “I was the only visually impaired person in my company for over twenty years. I was not connected to the blind community. Though I identified as someone with a visual impairment, it wasn’t a big part of my life, so I wasn’t sure Employment Immersion was right for me.”

Many of our Employment Immersion students are at first reluctant because they don’t yet have many connections to the blindness community. Jessica notes, “Kate reminded me, this is a program for jobseekers who are blind or visually impaired. I fit that bill. She then urged me to give at least one class a try. I agreed, and found myself in Employment Immersion the very next day.”

Jessica regained the job seeking skills that had rusted over twenty-two years of working at the same job. She says, “I hadn’t looked for a job in nearly a quarter of a century. I didn’t know how to look for a job online, what a current resume should look like, and how to build a network in the digital age. Employment Immersion taught me those skills.”

She continues, “But, those skills—I call them ‘on paper’ job seeking skills—aren’t the most important lessons I learned. The best part of Employment Immersion is the network of blind mentors, friends and jobseekers that I gained. Before Employment Immersion, I really didn’t know many blind or visually impaired people. Within one class, I realized that Employment Immersion would give me something I didn’t know I needed: camaraderie. Not only did I gain a network of jobseekers, I also gained a community of blind and visually impaired people who understand my visual impairment. For me, this was huge. Suddenly, I had people I could turn to who could share personal experiences about blindness.”

In the end, it was the combination of job seeking skills and network building that landed Jessica her job. “Kate kept telling us, ‘people hire people.’ She urged us to reach out to our contacts and let them know, ‘hey, I’m looking for a job.’” While Jessica was building her network, a former coworker contacted her. “He told me about a new position in my former company that had just moved to Salt Lake City. It turns out a subsidiary of the company was still located in the Bay Area. With his encouragement, I applied for the Business Process/System Analyst position at OOCL Logistics, and am happy to report that I got the job!” Jessica helps customers with technical concerns. “I love my job and the awesome team I work with every day.”

For jobseekers Jessica urges, “Go out, make connections and get along with people.”

If you’re hesitant to start Employment Immersion, Jessica encourages you to give LightHouse a call. “I wasn’t sure about the program until I spoke with Kate. I am extremely happy that I took the Employment Immersion class, and I’m sure you will be too.”

The LightHouse Employment Immersion program is for people who are blind or have low vision, from any background, seeking any job. To learn more, contact Employment Immersion Coordinator Wanda Pearson at WPearson@lighthouse-sf.org or call 415-694-7359.

LightHouse News

LightHouse YES (Youth Employment Series) – Final Session on May 21: Interviews and Disclosure

Our final YES workshop will be held on May 21 in our new headquarters. Students that attend this YES workshop will discuss and gain valuable insight and practice in how to conduct an interview, make a good first impression and network with others. During the afternoon, students will participate in an in-depth discussion and interactive activities that will help them be more comfortable and confident in disclosing information about their disability.

Who: Youth and transition-aged students (recommended age range: 14 to 24 years old) who are blind or who have low vision.
When: Saturday, May 21, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Our new headquarters at 1155 Market Street, 10th Floor, San Francisco
Cost: The cost to attend one of the LightHouse Youth Employment Series workshops is $150 per student, which may be covered by Department of Rehabilitation. In addition to the day’s activities and curriculum, students will receive a light breakfast, lunch and refreshments throughout the day.

Please note that the session will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. We must ask that all parents and guardians leave no later than 15 minutes after dropping off their child participant.

If you would like more information or to register for the workshop please contact Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator, at 415-694-7372 or by email at jgump@lighthouse-sf.org.

 

What is LightHouse YES: Youth Employment Series?
LightHouse YES: Youth Employment Series is an informative series of monthly workshops providing transition-aged youth who are blind or have low vision vital skills and practices that will help them become more successful in higher education and their chosen career path.

In January, 2016 we began this series of day long workshops designed to help youth and transition-aged students (recommended age: 14 to 24 years old) who are blind or have low vision to be prepared to become successfully employed. Through a variety of speakers and collaborative activities led by successful blind professionals, students will gain invaluable wisdom that can help them grow and shape themselves into competent blind adults.

These workshops will teach students to:

  • Effectively navigate through any system to ensure you receive necessary accommodations.
  • Learn about accommodations available to college students and those entering the workforce.
  • Acquire access technology skills which can be applied to real world situations, and test how effective these technologies might be for yourself.
  • Acquire and use blindness skills that will enrich your life and help you achieve your goals, be more confident and learn how to advocate for your needs.
  • How to transition smoothly into college from high school or from college to a career.
  • Develop Effective cover letters and resumes.
  • Practice networking, participate in mock interviews, and understand how to make a strong and positive first impression.
  • Learn how to develop, enhance and utilize your network and your relationship with peers and mentors.

 

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: