Calendar

Feb 25

Changing Vision Changing Life – 2021 Virtual Edition

Changing Vision Changing Life – 2021 Virtual Edition


Feb 24

Changing Vision Changing Life (CVCL) is for those who are new to blindness or having low vision and want to get a full overview of the essential training that will be beneficial for work, home, school and life. Students will be with a cohort of up to ten peers. CVCL starts with a day of thinking and grows into a week of learning, connecting and doing. 

This one-week course runs every day with all classes are on Zoom.  In addition to the week of training, there will be an Orientation Session Friday, February 19 from 2:00-4:00 and a follow-up meetup on Friday March 5, from 10:00 am to noon after the conclusion of the course. During the training week, there are three, two-hour learning sessions every day except Friday the 26. Each day of training begins at 9:30am and ends at 7:30pm with breaks for lunch and dinner. For three mornings, students who are truly morning people will have the option to start their day even earlier with yoga.

This week-long course is designed for adults who desire a deep introduction to independent living through travel (Orientation & Mobility), Access Technology, and Independent Living Skill and who also want a venue to have rich discussion with peers and our professional staff about the opportunity and choices that are ahead.  Everyone will receive a packet of materials to enhance learning throughout the week and we will end the week with a morning cooking session (in students’ own kitchens) and lunch together.

 

If you are a Consumer of Vocational Rehabilitation, in California or any other state, you will need an authorization from your Rehabilitation Counselor as there is a fee for the course. If you are not with Vocational Rehabilitation and you are age 55 and older, living in the counties of San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity, there is no charge for instruction, however there is a materials fee of $40.  

To participate, all students must be able to make a commitment to all sessions (including the pre-Orientation and post-course meetup).  You do not have to have a computer to participate via Zoom, but you must have a reliable speaker phone (smart phone or landline) to participate and call in.

Registration is required and the deadline to register is Tuesday, February 16, 2021. To register, please contact Debbie Bacon, DBacon@lighthouse-sf.org or Janet Pomerantz (Humboldt, Trinity and Del Norte residents), JPomerantz@lighthouse-sf.org.            

Stress Reduction & Meditation (online)

Stress Reduction & Meditation (online)


Feb 24

Stress Reduction & Meditation Goes Virtual

Please note that although LightHouse is closed for the holidays, this virtual class is still being held on December 22.

Each Wednesday morning we offer a series of short, meditation-based practices for relaxation and stress reduction. The group is appropriate for both beginners and advanced practitioners and instruction is provided in all aspects of the practice. Instructor Jeffrey Schneider has more than 40 years of meditation and teaching experience. It is a virtual class using the Zoom platform—everyone is welcome as little or often as they like. Dial in, find a comfortable position, breathe deeply, clear your head, and de-stress.

RSVP to Sabrina Bolus at Sbolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7607.

Low Vision Skills: Putting It All Together

Low Vision Skills: Putting It All Together


Feb 24

The Low Vision Skills: Putting It All Together course is composed of essential topics recommended for all participants who are new to low vision.

Adults 55 and over are invited to participate in a six-session course geared towards learning about their changes in vision and practical ways to maximize safe and independent living skills. The course is divided into six lessons over three weeks: a 2.5-hour introductory lesson with a Low Vision Optometrist, Social Worker, and two Certified Low Vision Therapists, followed by five, 2.5-hour lessons which will include practical skills taught by the Certified Low Vision Therapists.

It is a comprehensive skills training distance course introducing participants to foundational low vision concepts, skills, and current technologies for maximizing safe and independent daily living skills. After the six-session course, participants can expect to feel more confident in using their vision and making changes in their environment for independent daily living skills. Thereafter, participants can be eligible for individualized Low Vision Therapy lessons.

The classes will be taught via Zoom Video Conferencing (preferred) or phone at the following dates and times:

Week 1:
Monday, February 22 and Wednesday, February 24 – 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Week 2:
Monday, March 1 and Wednesday, March 3 – 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Week 3:
Monday, March 8 and Wednesday, March 10 – 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

This course is free for adults 55 and over living in the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Marin, Humboldt, Del Norte, and Trinity. However, there is a $40.00 materials fee. For those adults living outside the noted counties, the course is $150.00, plus $40.00 materials fee.

Please RSVP by Monday, February 1 to be able to receive class materials in time for the first class on Monday, February 22. To register please contact Debbie Bacon at 415-694-7357 or Low Vision Therapist, Gina di Grazia at gdigrazia@lighthouse-sf.org The class is limited to ten students.

Get Moving: Online O&M Class for Adults 55 and over

Get Moving: Online O&M Class for Adults 55 and over


Feb 24

Back by popular demand, it’s our six-week online Orientation & Mobility course, Get Moving. This session is for Bay Area residents aged 55 and over.

It’s a comprehensive course with two classes per week using the Zoom platform to introduce students to foundational O&M concepts, skills, and current technologies for safe and independent travel.

The lessons are: Benefits of O&M Training; Overview of Sensory, Spatial & Environmental Awareness; Orientation Strategies and Skills; Tactile Graphics/TMAP; Human Guide; Protective Techniques; Long Cane Basics; Outdoor Travel; Street Crossing Sequence; Intersection Analysis; Public Transportation & Trip Planning; and Introduction to Electronic Travel Devices, GPS & Wayfinding Technologies.

Mondays & Wednesdays: January 25 & 27; February 1, 3, 8, 10, 17, 22, 24; March 1, 3 & 8 from 10:00 am to noon (no class Presidents’ Day, February 15)

RSVP by noon on Friday, January 15 to Chris Williams at Cwilliams@lighthouse-sf.org.

One Step Forward: O&M Drop-In Forum for Adults 55 and Over

One Step Forward: O&M Drop-In Forum for Adults 55 and Over


Feb 24

One Step Forward is a 6-week drop-in open discussion forum for students new to orientation and mobility (O&M) who have questions or fears about orientation and mobility training or are simply curious and would like to connect, learn, and converse. Each week, students will engage with each other and LightHouse Orientation & Mobility Specialists Jennifer Huey and Sarah McIntyre, developing comfort and confidence through conversation about O&M. Topics will be planned for each conversation, but this discussion group is for you, so if an O&M topic is on your mind, bring it to the group! This is an opportunity to pose your personal thoughts and questions about learning skills for independent travel.

Who should attend? This 6-week class is for LightHouse students 55 years and older who have not received O&M training, or who have received very little and are not currently participating in O&M training but are curious, “almost ready,” or maybe are ready but are waiting to begin in-person training. This group may also appeal to you if you are looking to connect with other peers who share an interest in O&M and want to discuss the benefits of training. The best thing is, you don’t need any O&M experience to participate!

What to expect each week: Group conversation will focus on a planned topic, but there will also be time to ask questions that are relevant to you. Because this is a drop-in class, you can commit to just one class, all six, or as many as you want. The decision is yours! Participate if the topic is of interest or if you just want to connect and listen. All we ask is that you are open-minded and are interested in taking one step toward independent travel. This forum will use the Zoom platform, but any student with access to a telephone is welcome to join by calling in. Our goal is to make this program low-tech, user-friendly and approachable. The first meeting will be held December 9, 2020 from 10:00-11:00, and the planned topic is “Exploring Covid-safe strategies for navigating the holidays.”

Dates for upcoming meetings and planned topics for conversation:
December 9, 2020: Covid-safe holiday strategies
January 13, 2021: Defining training goals and priorities: New year, new you!
January 27, 2020: Training opportunities: Understanding the differences and intersection between LightHouse services
February 10, 2021: O&M in and around the house: movement and tactile awareness
February 24, 2021: O&M in and around the house: sound
March 10, 2021: What’s stopping you? Exploring the white cane and potential barriers

Class Details:
When: December 9, 2020 – March 10, 2021. Six Wednesday morning meetings (Dec. 9; Jan. 13 & 27; Feb. 10 & 24; March 10).
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 am
How to Participate: Zoom, either via phone or the Zoom app
Cost: It’s free!

RSVP to Jennifer Huey at JHuey@lighthouse-sf.org or Sarah McIntyre at SMcIntyre@lighthouse-sf.org.

The events for the upcoming week are read aloud on our event hotline every Friday, which can be accessed by calling 415-694-7325. For more information about visiting the Adaptations Store, head to our shop page.

The LightHouse is scent-free. Please abstain from wearing colognes, perfumes, or other scented products. Additionally, coffee must be securely lidded at all times and citrus should not be peeled on the premises. Thanks for supporting our efforts to respect chemical sensitivities!

SDS safety dataClick here for our cleaning product safety data sheets (SDS) and ingredient information.

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