Each year, blind and low vision students, families, teachers, and community members from all over northern California gather for a day dedicated to braille literacy through the Northern California Regional Braille Challenge. At this gathering, blind and low vision youth demonstrate their braille skills in a series of contests ranging from reading and comprehension, speed and accuracy, spelling, proofreading, and tactile graphics. We’re pleased to announce that this year’s Northern California Regional Braille Challenge will be held in person at our LightHouse San Francisco headquarters.

In addition to students showing their braille brilliance and competing with their peers, students will get the chance to learn from and meet blind and low vision mentors and role models such as our keynote speaker, Rachel Grider, a past Regional Braille Challenge winner who now teaches music to blind and low vision students.

While students take part in this year’s challenge, parents will get the chance to learn about many different resources that can help their child along the path of independence, from experienced educators and blind and low vision mentors. Topics for parent workshops will include living skills, tech demonstrations, and a workshop hosted by staff and students dedicated to sharing information and addressing parents’ concerns about overnight and summer camp programs for blind and low vision youth. In addition to all the lessons and connections that will take place, the brand-new Bop It Button will be making an appearance and there will be a bop-off for students with prizes.

Learn more about the Braille Challenge from the Braille Institute website.

Who: Blind and low vision youth from Northern California in grades K-12, as well as their family and educators
What: The 2023 Northern California Regional Braille Challenge
When: Saturday, March 4, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Where: LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired at 1155 Market St., San Francisco – directions to LightHouse San Francisco headquarters

Register a student for the 2023 Northern California Regional Braille Challenge by March 1.

For general information about the event, or to get involved, please contact Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator, at JGump@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7372.

This year’s 2023 Northern California Braille Challenge will be hosted by the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, in collaboration with Vista Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired, California School for the Blind and Braille Institute of America.

After unfortunately having to cancel the January 7 performance, we’re thrilled to announce the rescheduling of the Simply Sinatra concert to benefit Enchanted Hills Camp (EHC) on Saturday March 4!

These concerts are organized by Nancy and Steve Gill to support EHC. In 1997 their daughter, Anne, was in a car accident that caused blindness and a traumatic brain injury. Nancy and Steve were frustrated with the lack of programs that served people with multiple disabilities until they found out that EHC holds a yearly camp session for adults with developmental disabilities. Anne enjoyed her first time at EHC and has returned as a camper over the years. In 1999 Nancy and Steve organized the first concert to benefit EHC.

The theme for the 2023 concert is “Simply Sinatra: The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Singer” and features Alex Perez and Steve Gill.

Alex Perez has worked professionally with TheatreWorks as a choreographer, actor, and director. He has also performed and directed at Foothill College, San Jose Stage, Broadway by the Bay and the Globe Theatre in La Jolla.

Steve Gill has performed professionally with American Musical Theater, TheatreWorks, San Jose Stage and West Bay Opera.

Both Alex and Steve directed theatre at Menlo School.

The concert takes place on Saturday, March 4 at 7:30 pm at the Martin Family Hall at the Menlo School located at 50 Valparaiso Ave., Atherton, 94027. A donation of $20 is requested.

COVID-19 Safety & More Info

All audience members are requested to wear masks and provide contact information in case the concert is cancelled.

For more information about the concert, please contact Nancy Gill at gillnancyg@gmail.com or 650-948-4648.

Get tickets to the Simply Sinatra Concert to benefit EHC.