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Friends of Charlie Fundraiser February 27th in San Francisco

Image_Charlie and Tony Fletcher at Friends of Charlie
Image_Charlie and Tony Fletcher at Friends of Charlie

The LightHouse will host the annual Friends of Charlie benefit for Enchanted Hills Camp (EHC) on Saturday February 27, 2010 at the Twin Peaks Tavern in San Francisco, from 12 – 3 p.m. (map)

This summer EHC will be marking its 60th anniversary. We hope we can count on you to send Charlie and his good friends to EHC in 2010 and help us celebrate this important milestone in EHC’s history.

Friends of Charlie started in 2004, when a few people raised money to send their friend Charlie Wilson, who was losing his vision, to Enchanted Hills Camp for the first time. Of that first camp session, Charlie said, “I told some people when I came back that it was one of the best weeks I spent in my life and I will never forget it.”

As the seniors that make up Charlie’s group of friends grew, so too did the support for this fun and inspiring event. Over the last five years, Friends of Charlie has become one of the premiere fundraisers for EHC, raising $9,000 last year!

Please consider supporting Friends of Charlie by donating raffle or silent auction items, providing a donation in support of the event or joining us on the 27th.

For more information about Friends of Charlie, please contact Jennifer Yeagley at the LightHouse at (415) 694-7333 or email jyeagley@lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News, Resources in the Community

Blind Architect Helping With VA Center expansion

Check out this article about LightHouse Board of Directors member Chris Downey’s use of raised blueprints, by  Eric Thomas for ABC-7 – Peninsula News (KGO).

February 15, 2010, PALO ALTO, CA (KGO) — We’re used to seeing architecture — enjoying the shape and size and sweep of buildings and bridges and other structures. A Bay Area architect is forced to come at things from another direction because he’s blind. Rather than limit what he does, he thinks the loss of sight has opened new horizons.

Surgery to remove a tumor near Chris Downey’s optic nerve two years ago saved his life, but could not save his sight.

“To wake up one day and it’s dark and you can’t see anymore, a lot of things go through your mind. Quickly, architecture came to mind and how are you going to do that?” said Downey.

Turns out Downey tackled architecture with the same stubborn persistence he applies to everything in his life. He couldn’t draw anymore, but he could still picture things in his mind’s eye.

“There’s a lot in architecture that’s verbal, that’s conceptual, that you think about mentally and you solve problems and all sorts of things you do in non-visual ways,” said Downey.

He can read blueprints, thanks to a program that converts them to raised dots – something like Braille -and then prints them out on a special printer. He can study shapes by molding them with a kid’s toy called wiki-sticks — basically yarn covered with wax.

“You can just bend them, they hold their shape, you can bend them around and make right angles,” said Downey.

Downey is currently part of a team working on a big expansion project at the VA Medical Center in Palo Alto. It includes new administrative buildings, a mental health center and polytrauma and blind rehabilitation center. Team leaders say Chris’s perspective has especially helped improve plans for the latter building.

“When we look at them with our eyes we see the whole thing at once and we get a sense of how the whole building works. When Chris works through these spaces with his finger, he’s working through them as if he’s walking through them. So we get an experiential sense of the plans,” said architect Eric Meub.

“In architecture there’s a misconception that there’s one person off in the back room who comes up with all these ideas and does everything. The reality of it is that its team work,” said Downey.

(Copyright ©2010 KGO-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
LightHouse News, Resources in the Community

Northern California Regional Braille Challenge Feb. 27th

Saturday, February 27th will mark the Northern California Regional Braille Challenge, hosted at the Sacramento Society for the Blind. As a partial sponsor of this important event, this week the LightHouse will feature stories of how Braille continues to make a difference in the lives individuals who are blind and visually impaired. Click here for event details for the 2010 Braille Challenge.

Image: 2007 Braille Challenge participant examines closely his trophy
Image: 2007 Braille Challenge participant examines closely his trophy

Click here to view more photos from the 2007 Northern California Regional Braille Challenge at the LightHouse.

Resources in the Community

VLRC Northern California Entertainment and Recreation Listing February 12

All events and activities listed are accessible to the visually impaired community!

Northern California Entertainment and Recreation Listing 2.12

If you do not receive this listing in your inbox every Friday, join the distribution list by emailing bberenson@lighthouse-sf.org.

This listing is compiled by the Vision Loss Resource Center at the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired. It is compiled weekly as a service to the blind and visually impaired community of Northern California. If you have a meeting or event information that would be appropriate for inclusion in this list, please email info@lighthouse-sf.org. This list will be updated every Friday. Information for each Friday’s listing must be submitted by the Wednesday prior to publication.

Resources in the Community

SF Giants Braille schedules from the LightHouse. Plus, more access to MLB.com!

The LightHouse is pleased to produce Braille schedules for the San Francisco Giants KNBR 680 2010 broadcast season. The schedules will be ready by early March. Request your copy directly from KNBR.

And, check out this exciting news from MLB.com.

FANS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS GAIN ENHANCED ACCESS TO MLB.COM

NEW YORK, February 11, 2010 – Baseball fans with visual impairments will benefit from the implementation of functional improvements to MLB.com, the official Web site of Major League Baseball, and all 30 individual Club sites as a result of a joint collaboration between MLB Advanced Media, LP (MLBAM), the American Council of the Blind, Bay State Council of the Blind and California Council of the Blind. All three organizations applaud this fan initiative taken by MLBAM.

“MLBAM has undertaken groundbreaking work to make its web sites accessible and has assumed a strong leadership position among sports, media and entertainment properties in doing so,” said Mitch Pomerantz, President of the American Council of the Blind. “We certainly urge similar sites to make this level of commitment in following MLBAM’s lead.”

Read more here.

LightHouse News

LightHouse Benefits from Honorary Committees

The LightHouse is grateful to have the support of various honorary committee members who play a role in raising the profile of our programs, assist with fund- and friend-raising and serve as a valuable resource. Our 2009 Insights Honorary Committee helped us draw hundreds of people to our 20th exhibition, as well as the attention of media, like KQED and the New York Times. Many Honorary Committee members also gave gifts in support of Insights and other LightHouse programs. Recently, we convened two additional honorary committees: the Friends of the LightHouse, each member of which has demonstrated a strong commitment to LightHouse fundraising, and the Medical Community Friends of the LightHouse, which will help us deepen our connection with medical professionals. We are grateful to these committed community members who remain dedicated to helping us make a difference.

Resources in the Community

Northern California Entertainment and Recreation Listing January 22

To receive this list in your inbox every week, email info@lighthouse-sf.org

Beginning this week you will see changes in the Audio Described Movie Listings.  They are now organized by County.  In coming weeks listings will be available for Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Solano Counties.

This listing is compiled by the Vision Loss Resource Center at the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired. It is compiled weekly as a service to the blind and visually impaired community of Northern California. If you have meeting or event information that would be appropriate for inclusion in this list please email info@lighthouse-sf.org. This list will be updated every Friday. Information for each Friday’s listing must be submitted by the Wednesday prior to publication.  The entertainment and recreation listing are also available on the LightHouse website at: www.lbvi.staging.wpengine.com.com.
***
Audio described movie listings by geographic area:

ALAMEDA COUNTY:

AMC Bay Street 16:
5614 Shellmond Drive
Emeryville
510-457-9006
Now playing in auditorium 5:
“Avitar”
***
Rialto Theatre:
10070 San Pablo Avenue
El Cerrito
510-528-8759
Now playing:
“Sherlock Holmes” & “It’s Complicated”
***

SANTA CLARA COUNTY:

Eastridge AMC Mall 15:
1 Eastridge Mall
San Jose
408-223-0262
Now playing in auditorium 9:
“Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel”
***
AMC Mercado 20:
311 Mission College Blvd.
Mercado Santa Clara Center
Santa Clara
408-919-0285
Now playing in auditorium 8:
“Sherlock Holmes:
***
AMC Saratoga 14:
700 El Paseo De Saratoga
San Jose
408-871-2277
Now playing in auditorium 10:
“Avatar” & “The Princess and the Frog”
Separate admissions for each show
***
Live Performances described by Visual Voice:
“Daddy Long Legs”
Presented by Theater Works
Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts
500 Castro St., Mountain View
February 12     8:00pm
February 13    8:00pm
February 14    2:00pm
The times above are the show times. For descriptions of costumes and set arrive 25 minutes earlier.  Be sure to mention Visual Voice at the box office.
***
Live Performance Described by Audiovision:
Presented by SHN
”Fiddler on the Roof”
Golden Gate Theatre
1 Taylor St.
San Francisco
February 13:    2PM
To charge tickets and reserve one of the 20 receivers for the show call 415-551-2027 and request Audiovision tickets.  Tickets can be purchased without a convenience fee at The Orpheum Theatre Box Office 1192 Market St San Francisco.  The box office is open Monday through Saturday 10am to 6pm.

Live Described Performance:
Presented by SHN
”Wicked”
Orpheum Theatre
1192 Market St.
San Francisco
This show is open ended and has a recorded descriptive sound track.  This means that every performance is accessible.  To charge tickets call 415-551-2027 and request a descriptive headset with your tickets.  Tickets can also be purchased at the box office without the convenience fee.  The box office is open Monday through Saturday 10am to 6pm.
***

RECREATION:

Sierra Regional Ski for Light:
March 13-March 15
Tahoe-Donner
Want to have a weekend getaway in early spring, yet enjoy one last blast of winter fun?  Why not join Sierra Regional Ski for Light (SRSFL) at Tahoe-Donner in the High Sierras for cross country skiing and or snowshoeing.  Enjoy good food, pleasant surroundings and friends. Experienced skiers and snowshoers and novices are welcome.  Trained Guides will be available to assist.  For details on this three day event as well as information on one day events contact Cindy Quintana at 510-483-2948 or visit the www.srsfl.org
***
Thursday Evening Dance Class:
Every Thursday  5:30pm to 7:00pm
LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
214 Van Ness Ave
San Francisco
Every month will feature a different dance style. Gene Russo, the instructor, has a versatile range of expertise from the traditional ballroom styles like the Tango to Latin styles like Salsa. You are encouraged to come in a group, but no partner is required. Everyone will be rotating around to build a fun and enjoyable atmosphere.  Contact Philip Kum at 415-694-7342 or via email: pkum@lighthouse-sf.org
***
Thursday Evening Hatha Yoga Class:
Every Thursday  6:00pm to 7:30pm
LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
214 Van Ness Ave
San Francisco
The weekly class works on a large variety of poses that strengthen and refresh the entire body, mind, and spirit.  Drop in students are welcome. Contact Philip Kum at 415-694-7342 or via email: pkum@lighthouse-sf.org.
***
Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP):
Adventure fitness and recreation are touch phrases for BORP.  BORP believes that everyone should have access to the unique challenges that outdoor recreation provides.  BORP makes every effort to accommodate each person’s needs, including providing transportation and volunteer support. Trips are planned with a wide spectrum of abilities in mind, including wheelchair users, slow walkers, and people with visual impairments. For event listings call Lori Gray at 510-843-4398 or check out the BORP website at www.borp.org
***
Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors:
Departs every Sunday at noon from Pier 40 in San Francisco. Call 415- 281-0212 for announcements or visit: WWW.BAADS.org
***
OF COMMUNITY INTEREST:

San Francisco Chapter, National Federation of the Blind: Chapter Meeting January 23  1:00pm LightHouse for the blind and Visually Impaired 214 Van Ness Ave San Francisco,
***
Frances Neer Visually Impaired Persons Forum:
January 23     11:00am
LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
214 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco
Beth Berenson Vision Loss Resource Center Program Coordinator for The LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired will be discussing community services for the blind and visually impaired.
***
Peer To Peer Support Group:
January 23  1:00pm-3:00pm
LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
214 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco
These meetings are casually structured to discuss different aspects of life with a visual impairment. Every individual is visually impaired so discussions will be set in a comfortable, confidential setting with no judgments. Refreshments provided.
***
Guide Dogs For The Blind Graduation:
January 23:        1:30pm
Guide Dogs for the Blind Campus
350 Los Ranchitos Road
San Rafael
Phone: 415 499-4000
Attending a graduation ceremony at Guide Dogs for the Blind is one of the best ways to really get acquainted with the guide dogs program.  Tours of the campus will follow the graduation ceremony.
***
Mega Self-Defense for the Visually Impaired:
January 23   3:00pm-6:00pm
LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
214 Van Ness Ave
San Francisco
This program was developed specifically for the visually impaired. It began in London, England, and has been featured on the BBC radio program “InTouch”. Every workshop will cover physical techniques along with discussion of laws and self-defense theory that specifically affect the blind/visually impaired community. Contact Philip Kum at 415-694-7342 or via email: pkum@lighthouse-sf.org.
***
BrailleNote Apex Demonstration:
February 18    1:00pm-3:00pm
LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
214 Van Ness Ave
San Francisco
Join Damian Pickering and Kevin Hughes from HumanWare at the Lighthouse for a hands-on introduction to the new BrailleNote Apex. Learn about the thinnest, lightest notetaker available, and get answers to your questions about any of the full range of HumanWare’s blindness products. Refreshments will be provided. For those unable to attend in person the event will be streamed live at http://www.lbvi.staging.wpengine.com.com/listen.m3u.   You may also join in via a toll free conference call at 1-877-228-2883, Guest Listener Code: 6247.
For further information and to RSVP call
800-722-3393 EXT. 219, or e-mail: damian.pickering@humanware.com by February 16.
***
Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs Access Days:
February  27, 2010    6:00pm to  8:00 pm
De Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
San Francisco
The exhibit offers 50 objects from the tomb of King Tut and 80 more from the tombs of his ancestors.  This exhibit illuminates the 18th Dynasty, Egypt’s Golden Age.  These Access days offer smaller crowds and reduced ticket prices.  There will be additional seating as well.  Objects for visitors to touch will be available at both Access Days.  Ticket prices are $18.50 and a limited number of $10.00 tickets for those with financial need.  Contact Tish Brown 415-750-7650 or tbrown@famsf.org for applications and more information.
***
Follow the LightHouse on Facebook and Twitter:
Get daily updates about LightHouse activities, community events, new products and even job postings. If you are not a member of these sites, it is easy to join!  Click on the following links, sign up and you will automatically be connected to LightHouse buzz! Twitter http://twitter.com/lighthouse_sf Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/LightHouse-for-the-Blind-and-Visually-Impaired/104069923114?ref=mf
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Resources in the Community

Through the Looking Glass Scholarships for youth who have parents with disabilities

2010 THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS WITH PARENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Through the Looking Glass and its National Center for Parents with Disabilities and their Families are pleased to announce new scholarships specifically for high school seniors and college students who have parents with disabilities. A total of ten $1000 scholarships will be given out Fall 2010. These scholarships are part of Through the Looking Glass’ National Center for Parents with Disabilities and their Families. Please note that the 2010 awards have different application procedures than previous years.

There are separate scholarship awards for high school seniors and for college students, and each has separate eligibility requirements:

1. High School Seniors.
To be eligible, a student must be a high school graduate (or graduating senior) by Summer 2010, planning to attend a two-year or four-year college in Fall 2010 in pursuit of an AA, BA or BS degree, and have at least one parent with a disability.

2. College Students. To be eligible, a student must be currently enrolled in a two-year or four-year college in Fall 2010 in pursuit of an AA, BA or BS degree, be 21 years of age or younger as of March 1, 2010, and have at least one parent with a disability.

All application materials must be postmarked by March 1, 2010.
Individuals may submit only one application per award period.

Selection criteria for all scholarships include academic performance, community activities and service, letter of recommendation and an essay describing the experience of growing up with a parent with a disability.

Please go to our website: http://www.lookingglass.org/scholarships for more information, including the application form, complete application directions, and a FAQ page that answers many common questions as well as offers helpful suggestions.

Scholarship Coordinator
Through the Looking Glass
The National Center
for Parents with Disabilities and their Families
2198 Sixth Street, Suite 100
Berkeley, CA 94710
(800) 644-2666
(800) 804-1616 (TTY)
www.lookingglass.org
scholarships@lookingglass.org <mailto:scholarships%40lookingglass.org>

Resources in the Community

DOJ Reaches Settlements under the ADA Regarding the Use of Electronic Book Readers

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced that it has reached agreements under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Pace University in New York City and Reed College in Portland, OR, regarding the use in a classroom setting of the electronic book reader, the Kindle DX, a hand-held technological device that simulates the experience of reading a book. Under the agreements the universities generally will not purchase, recommend or promote use of the Kindle DX, or any other dedicated electronic book reader, unless the devices are fully accessible to students who are blind and have low vision.

Read more at Disability.gov