Calendar

LightHouse will be closed on Monday, May 27 for the Memorial Day holiday.

Events in July 2023

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Jun 25
Jun 26
Jun 27(1 event)

2:00 pm: Tech Together: June 2023 (online)

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Jun 27

Join the Access Technology team for a series of informal conversations on technology topics relevant to these current times.

June 6: Braille, On Display
Join the Access Technology team for a discussion on the intersection of tech and Braille. From Braille displays and notetakers, to Braille input methods on our favorite devices, we will highlight and celebrate all that is technical and tactile!

RSVP online for Braille, On Display or leave a voicemail at 415-694-7684.

June 13: Wellness and Self-Care
Join the Access Technology team for a discussion on enhancing your wellness routines with tech. We'll discuss sleep trackers, meditation and relaxation apps, accessible fitness devices, and all the ways to take care of the most important component of access technology, the person using it!

RSVP online for Wellness and Self-Care or leave a voicemail at 415-694-7684.

June 20: Highlights From Freedom Scientific, with Ian Ramos
The LightHouse Access Technology team is honored and delighted to welcome Ian Ramos of Access Ingenuity to the Tech Together community! Ian will be joining us to share what's new and what's coming soon with JAWS, ZoomText and Fusion, and highlighting some of Freedom Scientific's low vision and Braille devices. Join us as we celebrate one of the most popular and long-established producers of access technology products!

RSVP online for Highlights From Freedom Scientific, with Ian Ramos or leave a voicemail at 415-694-7684.

June 27: ACB and NFB Convention Information
Convention season is upon us once more! Both the American Council of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind will be holding their summer conventions in person this year, with virtual participation options. Whether you’ve never attended such a gathering of blind community, or you’re a veteran convention goer, we’ll share all the ways you can participate, connect and explore during these memorable celebrations of blind empowerment!

RSVP online for ACB and NFB Convention Information or leave a voicemail at 415-694-7684.
Jun 28(1 event)

6:30 pm: Goalball with BORP (in-person)

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Jun 28

Bay Are Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP) Goalball Practice is a fun way to get exercise and meet new people. The practice is designed for beginners and experienced players. If you do not have your own equipment, we can provide you with both elbow and knee pads and eyeshades.

When: Wednesdays, from 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Where: The gym is located at 2100 Browning St. Berkeley

For more details, please contact Brandon Young brandon@borp.org

Please note - Proof of full vaccination is required and will be checked for new participants.
Jun 29
Jun 30
Jul 1
Jul 2
Jul 3(1 event)

(All day): Holiday: LightHouse Closed

(All day)
Jul 3

Jul 4(1 event)

(All day): Holiday: LightHouse Closed

(All day)
Jul 4

Jul 5(1 event)

6:30 pm: Goalball with BORP (in-person)

–
Jul 5

Bay Are Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP) Goalball Practice is a fun way to get exercise and meet new people. The practice is designed for beginners and experienced players. If you do not have your own equipment, we can provide you with both elbow and knee pads and eyeshades.

When: Wednesdays, from 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Where: The gym is located at 2100 Browning St. Berkeley

For more details, please contact Brandon Young brandon@borp.org

Please note - Proof of full vaccination is required and will be checked for new participants.
Jul 6(1 event)

2:00 pm: Tecnologia para Todos (en línea)/Technology for All (online)

–
Jul 6

Join the LightHouse’s monthly access Technology Spanish meeting. Tecnología para todos is a space where users share their knowledge and experience. Each month, we talk about services, applications and devices available for blind and low vision users.
This event will be conducted using the Zoom platform. You can connect to Zoom using a computer, an app, or by dialing in from any phone.

Zoom meeting details will be provided when you rsvp by email to: JColon@lighthouse-sf.org or by calling 415-694-7323.
Jul 7
Jul 8
Jul 9
Jul 10
Jul 11
Jul 12(1 event)

6:30 pm: Goalball with BORP (in-person)

–
Jul 12

Bay Are Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP) Goalball Practice is a fun way to get exercise and meet new people. The practice is designed for beginners and experienced players. If you do not have your own equipment, we can provide you with both elbow and knee pads and eyeshades.

When: Wednesdays, from 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Where: The gym is located at 2100 Browning St. Berkeley

For more details, please contact Brandon Young brandon@borp.org

Please note - Proof of full vaccination is required and will be checked for new participants.
Jul 13
Jul 14
Jul 15(1 event)

10:30 am: California Council for the Blind San Francisco Chapter Monthly Meeting (hybrid)

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Jul 15

The California Council of the Blind San Francisco Chapter holds its monthly meetings on the third Saturday of the month from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM. All are welcome. If you are joining in person, the meeting will be held at LightHouse San Francisco, at 1155 Market St.

RSVP to Vita Zavoli, vzavoli@gmail.com or 510-846-4080.
Jul 16
Jul 17
Jul 18(1 event)

2:00 pm: Tech Together: July 2023 (online)

–
Jul 18

Join the Access Technology team for a series of informal conversations on technology topics relevant to these current times.

July 18: ACB and NFB Convention Recap
Join us and we'll share updates and insights from the world of access technology after the NFB and ACB conventions. We'll discuss what's new and what's next from well-known and up-and-coming AT venders, developers and creators.

RSVP online for ACB and NFB Convention Recap or leave a voicemail at 415-694-7684.

July 25: Game On!
Blurb: The LightHouse Access Technology team is honored and delighted to welcome Richard and Emily Gibbs of 64 Ounce Games to the Tech Together community! 64 Ounce Games produces and sells accessibility kits for board games and card games. Richard and Emily will join us to discuss their products, how kits are made, and how this playful and important work can break down accessibility barriers and create access to fun for all. You won’t want to lose out on this win-win discussion!

RSVP online for Game On! or leave a voicemail at 415-694-7684.
Jul 19(1 event)

6:30 pm: Goalball with BORP (in-person)

–
Jul 19

Bay Are Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP) Goalball Practice is a fun way to get exercise and meet new people. The practice is designed for beginners and experienced players. If you do not have your own equipment, we can provide you with both elbow and knee pads and eyeshades.

When: Wednesdays, from 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Where: The gym is located at 2100 Browning St. Berkeley

For more details, please contact Brandon Young brandon@borp.org

Please note - Proof of full vaccination is required and will be checked for new participants.
Jul 20(1 event)

2:00 pm: Tecnologia para Todos (en línea)/Technology for All (online)

–
Jul 20

Join the LightHouse’s monthly access Technology Spanish meeting. Tecnología para todos is a space where users share their knowledge and experience. Each month, we talk about services, applications and devices available for blind and low vision users.
This event will be conducted using the Zoom platform. You can connect to Zoom using a computer, an app, or by dialing in from any phone.

Zoom meeting details will be provided when you rsvp by email to: JColon@lighthouse-sf.org or by calling 415-694-7323.
Jul 21
Jul 22
Jul 23
Jul 24
Jul 25(1 event)

2:00 pm: Tech Together: July 2023 (online)

–
Jul 25

Join the Access Technology team for a series of informal conversations on technology topics relevant to these current times.

July 18: ACB and NFB Convention Recap
Join us and we'll share updates and insights from the world of access technology after the NFB and ACB conventions. We'll discuss what's new and what's next from well-known and up-and-coming AT venders, developers and creators.

RSVP online for ACB and NFB Convention Recap or leave a voicemail at 415-694-7684.

July 25: Game On!
Blurb: The LightHouse Access Technology team is honored and delighted to welcome Richard and Emily Gibbs of 64 Ounce Games to the Tech Together community! 64 Ounce Games produces and sells accessibility kits for board games and card games. Richard and Emily will join us to discuss their products, how kits are made, and how this playful and important work can break down accessibility barriers and create access to fun for all. You won’t want to lose out on this win-win discussion!

RSVP online for Game On! or leave a voicemail at 415-694-7684.
Jul 26(1 event)

6:30 pm: Goalball with BORP (in-person)

–
Jul 26

Bay Are Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP) Goalball Practice is a fun way to get exercise and meet new people. The practice is designed for beginners and experienced players. If you do not have your own equipment, we can provide you with both elbow and knee pads and eyeshades.

When: Wednesdays, from 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Where: The gym is located at 2100 Browning St. Berkeley

For more details, please contact Brandon Young brandon@borp.org

Please note - Proof of full vaccination is required and will be checked for new participants.
Jul 27
Jul 28
Jul 29
Jul 30
Jul 31
Aug 1(1 event)

2:00 pm: Tech Together: August 2023 (online)

–
Aug 1

Join the Access Technology team for a series of informal conversations on technology topics relevant to these current times.

August 1: Go with the Flow with Music Streaming Apps.
Join the Access Technology team to navigate the world of music streaming services. We will also discuss Audio formats such as HiFi and lossless.

RSVP online for Go with the Flow with Music Streaming Apps, or leave a voicemail at 415-694-7684.

August 8: All about Audio Gear
Join the Access Technology team to explore a wide variety of audio recording and audio producing gear! We will discuss microphones, earbuds, headsets, speakers, amplifiers, and more.

RSVP online for All about Audio Gear, or leave a voicemail at 415-694-7684.

August 15: Is This Thing On? Get Ready to Record!
Join the Access Technology team, and we will discuss the ins-and-outs of audio recording. We will address using the iPhone, using audio interfaces, and digital audio workstations (DAWs) such as Reaper, GarageBand and Ableton Live.

RSVP online for Is This Thing On? Get Ready to Record!, or leave a voicemail at 415-694-7684.

August 22: Let’s Cast Those Pods: All about Recording Podcasts
Join the Access Technology team to talk all about podcasting! We will demystify equipment, dedicated services, servers, environmental considerations, etc.

RSVP online for Let’s Cast Those Pods: All about Recording Podcasts, or leave a voicemail at 415-694-7684.

August 29: Get in Touch with Tactile Icons
The LightHouse Access Technology team is honored and delighted to welcome Anne DeWitte, of Tangible Surface Research, to the Tech Together community! Tangible Surface Research produces the Home Appliance Labeling and Overlay System, (HALOS), and sells premade and custom sets of tactile icons to make inaccessible home appliances accessible. Anne will be discussing the importance, use cases, and development of these products, and sharing how community members like you can get your hands on some tactile icons.

RSVP online for Get in Touch with Tactile Icons, or leave a voicemail at 415-694-7684.
Aug 2(1 event)

6:30 pm: Goalball with BORP (in-person)

–
Aug 2

Bay Are Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP) Goalball Practice is a fun way to get exercise and meet new people. The practice is designed for beginners and experienced players. If you do not have your own equipment, we can provide you with both elbow and knee pads and eyeshades.

When: Wednesdays, from 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Where: The gym is located at 2100 Browning St. Berkeley

For more details, please contact Brandon Young brandon@borp.org

Please note - Proof of full vaccination is required and will be checked for new participants.
Aug 3(2 events)

8:00 am: Functional Vision and Accessibility conference, San Francisco (hybrid)

–
Aug 3

Functional Vision and Accessibility conference, San Francisco, Aug 3-4, 2023

To celebrate our 60th anniversary, The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute is hosting a hybrid conference on Functional Vision and Accessibility, a 2-day international workshop on translational research to address visual impairment and accessibility. The conference will bring together stakeholders (those experiencing vision loss and blindness) and those doing translational research (scientists, clinicians, and inventors) to address long-standing and emerging vision problems with promising new approaches. Currently we have a limited number of travel grants for trainees and members of underrepresented groups to attend. We are waiting to find out whether we get funding for more travel grants.

More details of the meeting can be found at www.ski.org/FVAconference.

Our sessions topics and speakers include:

• Understanding the role of eye movements in active visual perception and their potential as a biomarker for various clinical conditions

Speakers: Jacob Yates (UC Berkeley), Jorge Otero-Millan (UC Berkeley), Esther Gonzales (U Toronto), Christy Sheehy (CLight Technologies)

Discussant: Preeti Verghese (Smith-Kettlewell)

• Understanding the role of the maldevelopment of vergence and accommodation on impaired binocular function and its functional consequences

Speakers: Paul Gamlin (U Alabama Birmingham), Jenny Read (U Newcastle), Rowan Candy (U Indiana, Bloomington), Ewa Niechwiej-Szwedo (U Waterloo)

Discussant: Dennis Levi (UC Berkeley)

• Evaluating retinal and cortical visual function in health and disease

Speakers: Omar Mahroo (University College London), Ravi Jonnal (UC Davis), Yoichiro Masuda (Jikei University), Holly Bridge (Oxford University)

Discussant: Christopher Tyler (Smith-Kettlewell)

• Brain plasticity after partial or complete loss of functional vision

Speakers: Mriganka Sur (MIT) Wu Li (Beijing Normal University), Lotfi Merabet (Mass. Eye & Ear), Ione Fine (University of Washington)

Discussant: Lora Likova (Smith-Kettlewell)

• Using emerging tools such as artificial intelligence and neural networks to understand human vision and visual dysfunction, and using AI and data science to complement human expertise

Speakers: Miguel Eckstein (UC Santa Barbara) Frank Tong (Vanderbilt), Dan Yamins (Stanford), Danna Gurari (Univ. of Colorado, Boulder)

Discussant: Laura Walker (Apple)

• Using virtual and augmented reality in visual assessment, binocular training, and navigation

Speakers: Ben Backus (Vivid Vision), Brandon Biggs (Georgia Tech), Paul Ruvolo (Olin College), Yuhang Zhao (Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison)

Discussant: James Coughlan (Smith-Kettlewell)

• A special session devoted to an in-depth discussion on vision restoration vs. using the remaining senses, in the context of the onset of visual impairment and the populations they serve 

Speakers: Juliette MacGregor (Univ. of Rochester), Michael Beyeler (UC Santa Barbara), Dan Adams (Neuralink), Josh Miele (Amazon), Gordon Legge (Univ. of Minnesota), Sile O'Modhrain (Univ. of Michigan), Don Fletcher (Smith-Kettlewell)

Discussant: Arvind Chandna (Smith-Kettlewell)

2:00 pm: Tecnologia para Todos (en línea)/Technology for All (online)

–
Aug 3

Join the LightHouse’s monthly access Technology Spanish meeting. Tecnología para todos is a space where users share their knowledge and experience. Each month, we talk about services, applications and devices available for blind and low vision users.

This event will be conducted using the Zoom platform. You can connect to Zoom using a computer, an app, or by dialing in from any phone.

Zoom meeting details will be provided when you rsvp by email to: JColon@lighthouse-sf.org or by calling 415-694-7323.
Aug 4(2 events)

8:00 am: Functional Vision and Accessibility conference, San Francisco (hybrid)

–
Aug 4

Functional Vision and Accessibility conference, San Francisco, Aug 3-4, 2023

To celebrate our 60th anniversary, The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute is hosting a hybrid conference on Functional Vision and Accessibility, a 2-day international workshop on translational research to address visual impairment and accessibility. The conference will bring together stakeholders (those experiencing vision loss and blindness) and those doing translational research (scientists, clinicians, and inventors) to address long-standing and emerging vision problems with promising new approaches. Currently we have a limited number of travel grants for trainees and members of underrepresented groups to attend. We are waiting to find out whether we get funding for more travel grants.

More details of the meeting can be found at www.ski.org/FVAconference.

Our sessions topics and speakers include:

• Understanding the role of eye movements in active visual perception and their potential as a biomarker for various clinical conditions

Speakers: Jacob Yates (UC Berkeley), Jorge Otero-Millan (UC Berkeley), Esther Gonzales (U Toronto), Christy Sheehy (CLight Technologies)

Discussant: Preeti Verghese (Smith-Kettlewell)

• Understanding the role of the maldevelopment of vergence and accommodation on impaired binocular function and its functional consequences

Speakers: Paul Gamlin (U Alabama Birmingham), Jenny Read (U Newcastle), Rowan Candy (U Indiana, Bloomington), Ewa Niechwiej-Szwedo (U Waterloo)

Discussant: Dennis Levi (UC Berkeley)

• Evaluating retinal and cortical visual function in health and disease

Speakers: Omar Mahroo (University College London), Ravi Jonnal (UC Davis), Yoichiro Masuda (Jikei University), Holly Bridge (Oxford University)

Discussant: Christopher Tyler (Smith-Kettlewell)

• Brain plasticity after partial or complete loss of functional vision

Speakers: Mriganka Sur (MIT) Wu Li (Beijing Normal University), Lotfi Merabet (Mass. Eye & Ear), Ione Fine (University of Washington)

Discussant: Lora Likova (Smith-Kettlewell)

• Using emerging tools such as artificial intelligence and neural networks to understand human vision and visual dysfunction, and using AI and data science to complement human expertise

Speakers: Miguel Eckstein (UC Santa Barbara) Frank Tong (Vanderbilt), Dan Yamins (Stanford), Danna Gurari (Univ. of Colorado, Boulder)

Discussant: Laura Walker (Apple)

• Using virtual and augmented reality in visual assessment, binocular training, and navigation

Speakers: Ben Backus (Vivid Vision), Brandon Biggs (Georgia Tech), Paul Ruvolo (Olin College), Yuhang Zhao (Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison)

Discussant: James Coughlan (Smith-Kettlewell)

• A special session devoted to an in-depth discussion on vision restoration vs. using the remaining senses, in the context of the onset of visual impairment and the populations they serve 

Speakers: Juliette MacGregor (Univ. of Rochester), Michael Beyeler (UC Santa Barbara), Dan Adams (Neuralink), Josh Miele (Amazon), Gordon Legge (Univ. of Minnesota), Sile O'Modhrain (Univ. of Michigan), Don Fletcher (Smith-Kettlewell)

Discussant: Arvind Chandna (Smith-Kettlewell)

10:00 am: NLS eReader workshop (in-person)

–
Aug 4

The San Francisco Public Library Talking Books and Braille Center (TBBC) and LightHouse are excited to announce our upcoming workshop, an Introduction to the National Library Service (NLS) eReader. The workshop provides a basic orientation to the eReader, starting with getting familiar with the layout of the device and basic functionality of the thumb keys. We will cover how to read a Braille book from an NLS cartridge and the various navigation options available in the eReader’s Book Reader. Workshop attendees will be able to receive additional one-on-one training with members of TBBC and LightHouse staff.

This workshop will be held in person at the LightHouse headquarters at 1155 Market St, 10th floor. The work is open to both LightHouse students and TBBC patrons.

Registration for this workshop is required, as space is limited.

To register, please call us at 415-557-4253 or email talkingbooks@sfpl.org with the following information:

  • Your name
  • Preferred Braille grade (uncontracted or contracted Braille)
  • If you need assistance getting to the LightHouse from the Main branch of the San Francisco Public library.
Aug 5

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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