Earn $175 to Discuss Career Paths!

Would you like to make up to $175? Nichols Research, Inc. is seeking participants for a focus group on attitudes towards careers and different career paths.

To be considered for this project, participants must be:

Visually impaired or blind

21 to 40 years old

a) Have a 4-year college degree or higher and be employed at least part-time OR
b) Be at least a sophomore enrolled in college or university on a full-time basis (must be enrolled in a program that will result in at least a Bachelor’s degree)

Graduate students are also welcome to participate.

The focus group will take place in San Francisco on Thursday, October 21st in the evening. The discussion will last up to 2 hours and each participant will receive $150 for participating, plus $25 for a short pre-session “homework” assignment, for a total of $175.

For more information please contact Beth Berenson, LightHouse Information and Resource Center Coordinator, at  info@lighthouse-sf.org.

Northern California Entertainment and Recreation Listing: October 1

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

This listing is compiled by the Information 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 Thursday. Information for each Thursday’s listing must be submitted one week prior to publication.

Happenings this week include Feldenkrais and meditation classes at the LightHouse, a disability arts festival at the de Young and more!

Download the list: NorCal Entertainment and Recreation Listing_10.1.2010

Braille Notetaker Workshop

When:  Saturday, September 25, 10:00 a.m. to noon

Learn how Braille Notetaker consumers are using their devices. The new generation of Notetakers can get on the web, read mp3 and Daisy files, give directions using GPS and much more. Join us at the San Francisco office for this fascinating workshop, which will include the opportunity to see a variety of Notetakers. We’ll have an audience discussion about the devices with consumers who use them.

PlayPlay

Macular Degeneration: Vision Education Seminar – Podcast – 09/24/10

On September 24, 2010, 10 a.m. to Noon, the LightHouse hosted the “Be Informed” Vision Education Seminar on Macular Degeneration. Dr. Robert Greer, O.D. and Chief of Low Vision at the UC Berkeley Low Vision Clinic were joined by Dr. Shirin Barez MD, Ophthalmologist and faculty at UC Berkeley School of Optometry; Dr. Marlena Chu O.D. and panel of LightHouse Vision Rehabilitation Specialists and peers with macular degeneration. Together they discussed the implications of macular degeneration, current treatments, and benefits of a low vision evaluation and training.

Wifi Isn’t the Only New Thing at the LightHouse

We want the LightHouse to be your third place.

In The Great, Good Place, author Ray Oldenburg talks about society’s third places as being “anchors” of communities that are distinctly different from our “first” and “second” places (home and work) and that facilitate broader, more creative interaction. He suggests that the hallmarks of a third place are that it’s free or inexpensive, offers food and drink, is highly accessible and proximate, involves regulars, is welcoming and comfortable and is a place where friends, new and old, can be found.

We’re working hard to make the LightHouse your third place. Though we don’t have a barista on staff, yet (smile), there’s plenty going on that might make you want to hang out with us:

Free, lightning fast wifi all over the building. You can now visit us and get comfortable with your laptop in the various nooks and crannies of the building. No matter where you are, your signal strength will be strong. Just ask the receptionist for the access code.

Oysters and beer. This month, the LightHouse will kick off its first homebrewing class, where you can make and bottle beer. Classes are fully accessible and all bottles will feature Braille labels. Thanks to Rogue Ales for their support in offering this new class! Additionally, we’re planning a trip to the Hog Island Oyster Farm in October. Participants will learn about Tomales Bay ecology and sustainable oyster farming, and everyone will shuck their own oysters! As we add new classes and opportunities like these, education and access are the top priorities, along with fun. To be a part of these new offerings and programs, learn about them first by subscribing to the monthly LightHouse News. Sign up at www.lighthouse-sf.org.

Friends, fun and fitness. On November 20, we’ll launch Team LightHouse, a group of dedicated supporters who will sign up to walk, jog or run the San Francisco Half-Marathon on February 6, 2011 in support of our Enchanted Hills Camp in Napa. Team LightHouse members pledge to raise $100 for every mile – that’s $1,300 each – to benefit camp. Who needs a New Year’s resolution to get fit? Join Team LightHouse today and work your way up to the half-marathon through the complimentary training program offered by our partner Marathon Matt. Make friends, get fit, raise money. Learn more by visiting http://bit.ly/teamlighthouse.

Meditation. When you’ve had enough oysters and beer and you can’t run anymore, the LightHouse also offers the chance to slow down and breathe deeply. Starting on October 5, every Tuesday evening from 5:30 – 6:30, the LightHouse will offer a Mindfulness, Movement and Meditation class designed to help you relax and keep your mind and body flexible (suggested $5 donation to attend). If you’re new to yoga or meditation, these classes at the LightHouse can be a great way to get comfortable with the process in an environment with built-in access. From here, you can build the confidence to continue your yoga or meditation practice in your own community.

Please Touch Community Garden. Have you ever noticed the vacant, trash strewn lot on Grove Street in San Francisco, in the very shadow of City Hall? Our neighborhood deserves better. Over the next year, this lot will be transformed into a beautiful urban arts garden, to be planted and maintained by LightHouse program participants and members of the blind community. Spearheaded by local artist Gk Callahan, the garden will be unlike any other in the area – unlike any other in the nation. Stay tuned to the LightHouse web-site to keep up with the latest developments.

What else can we do to make us your third place? Better coffee or more of it? More places to sit? More classes? What kinds? Let us know at rrusso@lighthouse-sf.org. We want to hear from you!

Wifi Isn't the Only New Thing at the LightHouse

We want the LightHouse to be your third place.

In The Great, Good Place, author Ray Oldenburg talks about society’s third places as being “anchors” of communities that are distinctly different from our “first” and “second” places (home and work) and that facilitate broader, more creative interaction. He suggests that the hallmarks of a third place are that it’s free or inexpensive, offers food and drink, is highly accessible and proximate, involves regulars, is welcoming and comfortable and is a place where friends, new and old, can be found.

We’re working hard to make the LightHouse your third place. Though we don’t have a barista on staff, yet (smile), there’s plenty going on that might make you want to hang out with us:

Free, lightning fast wifi all over the building. You can now visit us and get comfortable with your laptop in the various nooks and crannies of the building. No matter where you are, your signal strength will be strong. Just ask the receptionist for the access code.

Oysters and beer. This month, the LightHouse will kick off its first homebrewing class, where you can make and bottle beer. Classes are fully accessible and all bottles will feature Braille labels. Thanks to Rogue Ales for their support in offering this new class! Additionally, we’re planning a trip to the Hog Island Oyster Farm in October. Participants will learn about Tomales Bay ecology and sustainable oyster farming, and everyone will shuck their own oysters! As we add new classes and opportunities like these, education and access are the top priorities, along with fun. To be a part of these new offerings and programs, learn about them first by subscribing to the monthly LightHouse News. Sign up at www.lbvi.staging.wpengine.com.com.

Friends, fun and fitness. On November 20, we’ll launch Team LightHouse, a group of dedicated supporters who will sign up to walk, jog or run the San Francisco Half-Marathon on February 6, 2011 in support of our Enchanted Hills Camp in Napa. Team LightHouse members pledge to raise $100 for every mile – that’s $1,300 each – to benefit camp. Who needs a New Year’s resolution to get fit? Join Team LightHouse today and work your way up to the half-marathon through the complimentary training program offered by our partner Marathon Matt. Make friends, get fit, raise money. Learn more by visiting http://bit.ly/teamlighthouse.

Meditation. When you’ve had enough oysters and beer and you can’t run anymore, the LightHouse also offers the chance to slow down and breathe deeply. Starting on October 5, every Tuesday evening from 5:30 – 6:30, the LightHouse will offer a Mindfulness, Movement and Meditation class designed to help you relax and keep your mind and body flexible (suggested $5 donation to attend). If you’re new to yoga or meditation, these classes at the LightHouse can be a great way to get comfortable with the process in an environment with built-in access. From here, you can build the confidence to continue your yoga or meditation practice in your own community.

Please Touch Community Garden. Have you ever noticed the vacant, trash strewn lot on Grove Street in San Francisco, in the very shadow of City Hall? Our neighborhood deserves better. Over the next year, this lot will be transformed into a beautiful urban arts garden, to be planted and maintained by LightHouse program participants and members of the blind community. Spearheaded by local artist Gk Callahan, the garden will be unlike any other in the area – unlike any other in the nation. Stay tuned to the LightHouse web-site to keep up with the latest developments.

What else can we do to make us your third place? Better coffee or more of it? More places to sit? More classes? What kinds? Let us know at rrusso@lighthouse-sf.org. We want to hear from you!

Macular Degeneration: Vision Education Seminar

Join us today as the LightHouse hosts the “Be Informed” Vision Education Seminar on Macular Degeneration.

Click here to listen via web streaming , or visit http://www.lbvi.staging.wpengine.com.com/listen.m3u. The call in conference number is 888-275-8713, guest code 258

Dr. Robert Greer, O.D. and Chief of Low Vision at the UC Berkeley Low Vision Clinic will be joined by Dr. Shirin Barez MD, Ophthalmologist and faculty at UC Berkeley School of Optometry; Dr. Marlena Chu O.D. and panel of LightHouse Vision Rehabilitation Specialists and peers with macular degeneration. Together they will discuss the implications of macular degeneration, current treatments, and benefits of a low vision evaluation and training.

PlayPlay

Northern California Entertainment and Recreation Listing: September 24

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

This listing is compiled by the Information 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 Thursday. Information for each Thursday’s listing must be submitted one week prior to publication.

This week’s happenings include yoga and beer brewing workshops at the LightHouse, the rerturn of Gene Russo’s ballroom dance for blind andsighted dancers, Write To Connect workshops and a disability arts open house at the de Young museum.

Download: NorCal Entertainment and Recreation Listing 9.24

Scholarships for Blind Students, Super-Techie Girls, Emerging Disabled Leaders and More

Check out several upcoming scholarship opportunities below. The awards are for students with visual impairments or other disabilities, high school girls who excel in computing (like adaptive tech!), emerging leaders with disabilities and students majoring in disability or health services. All awards have deadlines that are fast-approaching!

For a longer list of academic awards specifically for blind or visually impaired students, contact Amber at the LightHouse Resource Center: 415-604-7363 or adipietra@lighthouse-sf.org.

* * *

The San Francisco Chapter of the California Council of the Blind, $2,500 Alice Chavez Pardini Education Advancement Grant

This local award is for a student in grades 6-12, college, graduate school, or a certificate program who lives in San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, or San Mateo counties and who can best demonstrate the need to improve his or her educational or employment opportunities.

Deadline: October 31, 2010

Contact Charlie Dorris 415-775-0487 tyreedorris@aol.com or Ellie Lee 415-378-6079 ellieleesf@yahoo.com

National Federation for the Blind Scholarships

Over 30 different cash awards for blind students, high school through graduate school.

Deadline: March 31, 2011

www.nfb.org/scholarships

410-659-9314, extension 2415

California Association for Post-Secondary Education and Disability Scholarships

CAPED offers several different awards for students in California, including students with learning disabilities, visually impaired students, students in a four-year degree program, students who have exhibited civic leadership and more.

Deadline: October 8, 2010

http://www.caped.net/convention/scholarships.html

American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) Hearne Leadership Award Applications

Award is given in recognition of outstanding emerging leaders with disabilities who exemplify leadership, advocacy and dedication to and for the broader disability community. Two individuals, who are emerging as leaders in the cross-disability civil rights movement, will each receive $10,000 to help them continue their progress and further connect their work with the national outreach of AAPD. The recipients of the 2011 Hearne Leadership Awards will also star in a short documentary film about their work and have an opportunity to attend and network with national disability leaders at the AAPD Leadership Gala in Washington, DC.

Deadline: October 1, 2010 http://jfactivist.typepad.com/jfactivist/2010/08/apply-now-aapd-is-now-accepting-hearne-leadership-award-applications.html

The American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) Scholarship Program 2010–2011

AAHD’s scholarship program supports students with disabilities in higher education. Preference is given to students who plan to pursue undergraduate/graduate studies in public health, health promotion or disability studies, including disability policy and disability research. Scholarships are limited to under $1,000.

Deadline: November 15, 2010

http://www.aahd.us/page.php?pname=Scholarship%20Program

The National Center for Women & Information Technology

NCWIT seeks to recognize high school women with outstanding achievements and aspirations in computing and technology through the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing. Winners receive $500 in cash, a laptop computer, a trip to attend the Bank of America Technology Showcase and Awards Ceremony in Charlotte, North Carolina, and an engraved award for both the student and the student’s school

Deadline: October 15, 2010

http://www.ncwit.org/work.awards.aspiration.find.html

Dialogue with the Director

LightHouse CEO Bryan Bashin has established a regular time to personally hear from any community member about LightHouse services and opportunities for our organization.

Join us on Tuesday, October 12, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

We’ll offer light refreshments and a chance to spend an hour or two with Bryan, brainstorming, listening and thinking together. All topics and all community members are welcome. Bring your ideas, your passions and your community connections.

To reserve your place in the dialogue, please call Chuck Godwin at 415-694-7348 or email him at cgodwin@lighthouse-sf.org by 5:00 p.m. Monday, October 11.