Calendar

LightHouse will be closed on Wednesday, September 25 for an agency-wide all-staff event.

Events in September 2024

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Sep 1
Sep 2
Sep 3(2 events)

12:15 pm: Ukulele Class at Earle Baum Center (in-person)


Sep 3

Earle Baum Center, 4539 Occidental Rd, Santa Rosa

This class includes ukulele chord instruction for beginners, learning songs and singing together as a group.

RSVP to Denise Vancil at DVancil@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7832.

5:00 pm: Radically Rethinking Museum Access Discussion at USF (hybrid)


Sep 3

McLaren Conference Center
2130 Fulton St, San Francisco

Join Finnegan Shannon and Andrea Torrice, room 250 at the McLaren Building at University of San Francisco for a conversation on Radically Rethinking Museum Accessibility (click here for the USF map link). Finnegan Shannon, a Bay Area native and New York City-based artist whose work centers the experience of people living with disabilities, will be in conversation with acclaimed documentary filmmaker, former Museum Studies MA student, and accessibility advocate, Andrea Torrice. They will discuss Finnegan’s art and ways to radically rethink accessibility within museums and cultural heritage organizations.

If you attend in person, masks are highly encouraged for the safety of others. The event is also Zoom accessible via Hyflex. The conversation will be live-captioned and include ASL interpretation. All visual materials will be described. If you need accommodations or wheelchair access, contact Student Leadership and Engagement at 415-422-7256 or email sle@usfca.edu with the name and date of the event as well as the accommodation requested. Questions? Contact Museum Studies Program Manager Javier Plasencia at jplasencia3@usfca.edu. If you plan to attend by Hyflex Zoom, register online for Radically Rethinking Museum Access.

Sep 4
Sep 5(1 event)

1:30 pm: Tactile Art Class at Earle Baum Center (in-person)


Sep 5

Earle Baum Center, 4539 Occidental Rd, Santa Rosa

Stamp Art. design and decorate an already purchased tote bag. We will cut up vegetables to use as our stamps in brightly colored paints. Fun and functional. Volunteer teachers Ellen and Ann and Patricia.

RSVP to Patricia Jefferson at PJefferson@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7692.

Sep 6
Sep 7(3 events)

10:00 am: Community Drum Circle (in-person)


Sep 7

LightHouse headquarters, 1155 Market S., San Francisco

Circle up and make a joyous noise! Everyone will have a chance to share out loud the rhythm of their heart and soul and invite the group to collaborate on creating a bold and bright soundscape forged by the wisdom of community. This month, bring your canes of any kind and items to drum on. Let’s change gears this month for a longer morning drum session running from 10:00am to 12:30 with a short break to focus on further building our group vibe and synergy in preparation for serenading the White Cane Day festivities with a rousing round of joyous noise.

RSVP to Maia Scott at MScott@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7608.

1:00 pm: Polishing in the Park: Lake Merritt (in-person)


Sep 7

Over the past few years, many blind and low vision teens and adults who attend EHC summer camp have mastered the art of wood polishing, transforming raw wood into beautiful pieces of art. As this craft gains popularity in our community, LightHouse is excited to create more opportunities for friends to gather, connect, and share their passion. To achieve this, we’re bringing back our Polishing in the Park program!

These monthly polishing parties will take place in various parks around the Bay Area. Each gathering will offer time to share project updates, learn from that month’s mentor, and, most importantly, enjoy polishing and socializing with your blind and low vision friends of all ages. Students who sign up for the program will receive the basic materials and equipment needed to start wood polishing. Those who stay active in the program and continue to develop their skills will be eligible to receive additional raw materials to create art or gifts for loved ones.

Who: LightHouse students of all ages who are blind or have low vision
What: A gathering of blind crafters in parks around the Bay Area to polish wood into art
When: Saturday, September 7, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Lake Merritt Amphitheater at Lake Merritt (near the intersection of Lake Merritt Blvd and 11th St)
Light refreshments and polishing supplies will be provided to students who RSVP by the Friday before the outing.

RSVP to Jamey Gump JGump@lighthouse-sf.org 415-694-7372.

2:00 pm: Hands On Mapping: An Introduction to Tactile Cartography (in-person)


Sep 7

Maps deepen understanding, broaden perspectives, and encourage engagement with our world. However, people who are blind or visually impaired do not have equal access to maps that the sighted population often takes for granted. As one of the few places in the world—and one of the best—producing high-quality tactile maps, the MAD Lab is dedicated to turning inaccessible experiences into inclusive ones.

Join the Media and Accessible Design Lab (MAD Lab) for “Hands On Mapping: An Introduction to Tactile Cartography” on Saturday, September 7, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 1155 Market St, 10th floor, San Francisco.

Getting to 1155 Market Street.

We will introduce how blind people use tactile maps. This event is for all: sighted and blind audiences alike – no prior experience necessary. Whether you are new to tactile cartography or already familiar, you will be warmly welcomed, educated, and thoroughly engaged!

Featuring speaker Dr. Joshua Miele in conversation with Dr. Yue-Ting Siu (CATT-NW Program Coordinator, WSSB) and Chancey Fleet (Assistive Technology Coordinator, Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library, NYPL), along with a variety of breakout sessions that lead you through the landscape of tactile maps, including:

  • Event ProgramFeaturing speaker Dr. Joshua Miele in conversation with Dr. Yue-Ting Siu (CATT-NW Program Coordinator, WSSB) and Chancey Fleet (Assistive Technology Coordinator, Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library, NYPL), along with a variety of breakout sessions that lead you through the landscape of tactile maps, including:
    • How to Read Tactile Maps by Touch –  facilitated by Chancey Fleet and Marco Salsiccia
    • Designing Maps Using Nonvisual Tools –  facilitated by Naomi Rosenberg
    • Making a Tactile Map of San Francisco – facilitated by Jerry Kuns and Frank Welte
    • TMAP (Tactile Maps Automated Production), a tool for creating tactile street maps –  facilitated by Greg Kehret, Mike May and Eleanor Mayes
    • Viewing MAD Lab work and taking a tour of the MAD Lab print shop  – facilitated by Ben Einstein

Food and drink will be served. Entrance is complimentary.

Register for Hands On Mapping by August 30 (space is limited).
Direct link: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/2024MADLab/event/register/.

Please forward on to anyone who you think might be interested.

RSVP to Hands On Mapping.

Sep 8(1 event)

1:00 pm: The Night Alive with Audio Description and Haptic Tour (in-person)


Sep 8

Altarena Playhouse
1409 High Street, Alameda
Haptic tour: 1:00 pm
Performance: 2:00 pm

Tommy’s just getting by. He’s renting a run-down room in his uncle’s house, rolling from one get-rich-quick scheme to the other with his pal Doc. He comes to the aid of Aimee, who’s not had it easy herself, struggling through life the only way she knows how. Their pasts won’t let go easily, but together there’s a glimmer of hope they could make something more of their lives, something extraordinary, perhaps.

With inimitable warmth, style, and craft, this play deftly mines the humanity found in the most unlikely of situations. The Night Alive is the winner of the 2013–2014 New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play.

You can buy tickets for The Night Alive online, and then email Kari Warfield General Manager, at generalmanager@altarena.org. to reserve a headset for audio description. You can also buy tickets via your email to Kari. Tickets are $33 for seniors, $35 for adults and $15 for students. Students need to provide a student ID.

The live audio description for this performance will be provided by Gravity Access Services, Inc.

Sep 9(2 events)

10:00 am: The Business of Blindness: Coffee with Mike (online)


Sep 9

What does it mean to be blind or low vision? Mike Cole, a veteran of all things blindness, leads this call-in forum to discuss the day-to-day ins and outs of blindness—from daily living in your home environment to navigating the vast expanse of bureaucracies.

RSVP for The Business of Blindness online or to Sabrina Bolus at Sbolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7607.

5:00 pm: Toastmasters: LightHouse Visionaries! (online)


Sep 9

Toastmasters Visionaries and guests, LightHouse Visionaries provides blind and visually impaired people with a supportive and fun environment to develop public speaking and leadership skills, empowering us to enhance our personal and professional lives. Toastmasters is a place to develop skills of self-empowerment. It's a place to practice public speaking, improve communication, and build leadership skills.
RSVP online for Toastmasters, or contact Sabrina Bolus at Sbolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7607.
Sep 10(1 event)

12:15 pm: Ukulele Class at Earle Baum Center (in-person)


Sep 10

Earle Baum Center, 4539 Occidental Rd, Santa Rosa

This class includes ukulele chord instruction for beginners, learning songs and singing together as a group.

RSVP to Denise Vancil at DVancil@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7832.

Sep 11(1 event)

11:30 am: Speak Imagery from the Fine Arts Museums (online)


Sep 11

Docents Etta Herbach and Shelley Ford will take us on a journey through the American Beauty exhibit, which features faces and places in the American art collected by Bernard and Barbro Osher.

Register for Speak Imagery from the Fine Arts Museums. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with the link to the meeting.

Sep 12(1 event)

11:00 am: Create in Community Cane and Guide Bling (in-person)


Sep 12

Enter a place of curiosity and discovery with likeminded people. Learn how to make both functional and fanciful things while acquiring new hacks to measure and manage materials with little or no sight. Experimentation, problem solving and friendly conversation pair nicely with found objects, clay, fun papers, and other materials to create one of a kind, DIY items for fun and function.

In this special edition session, get your mobility aid of choice ready for the forthcoming White Cane Day celebration by creating charms, tassels and other bling to adorn your cane, guide or self for the big walk across the Golden Gate Bridge or afterparty.

(Please note that the craft room will be closed on 9/19 and 9/26.)

RSVP to Maia Scott at MScott@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7608.

Sep 13(2 events)

9:00 am: Nature and Gardening with Marney Blair at Earle Baum Center (online)


Sep 13

A casual forum to learn tactile, olfactory, and other gardening techniques for low vision, blind gardeners, and nature lovers. We will gather on our phones to hear what is happening in Marney’s garden, learn new techniques, and share our stories with each other.

About Host: Marney Blair has been a farmer for 20 years atFulcrum Farm.  It was an integrated farm that included turkeys, laying hens, milking cows, and row crops of beans, corn, and edible seeds. The farm also made and sold compost.

RSVP to Patricia Jefferson at PJefferson@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7692,

4:00 pm: Make the Sweetest Lil' Canes Ever (in-person)


Sep 13

LightHouse headquarters, 1155 Market St., San Francisco

What do you get when you cross a safety pin and a lollipop stick with a bit of string and electrical tape? Little canes with a big impact.

Calling all students, volunteers, allies, crafters and makers to assemble a fresh batch of our popular white cane pins that will be given out in celebration of White Cane Day. Can we assemble two hundred? Game on!

RSVP to Maia Scott at MScott@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7608.

Sep 14
Sep 15
Sep 16(1 event)

10:00 am: The Business of Blindness: Coffee with Mike (online)


Sep 16

What does it mean to be blind or low vision? Mike Cole, a veteran of all things blindness, leads this call-in forum to discuss the day-to-day ins and outs of blindness—from daily living in your home environment to navigating the vast expanse of bureaucracies.

RSVP for The Business of Blindness online or to Sabrina Bolus at Sbolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7607.

Sep 17(1 event)

12:15 pm: Ukulele Class at Earle Baum Center (in-person)


Sep 17

Earle Baum Center, 4539 Occidental Rd, Santa Rosa

This class includes ukulele chord instruction for beginners, learning songs and singing together as a group.

RSVP to Denise Vancil at DVancil@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7832.

Sep 18
Sep 19(2 events)

11:00 am: Earle Baum Center Vision Group Demo of Accessible Voting Devices (hybrid)


Sep 19

For those attending in person, the event is at the Earle Baum Center, 4539 Occidental Rd, Santa Rosa.

Guest speakers from the League of Women Voters and Registrar of Voters

Special event: The League of Women Voters will discuss ballot propositions, their pros and cons and give a hands-on demonstration of accessible voting devices. Discussion will be followed by Q&A.

RSVP to Patricia Jefferson at PJefferson@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7692. You can join in person or via Zoom.

1:30 pm: Tactile Art Class at Earle Baum Center (in-person)


Sep 19

Earle Baum Center, 4539 Occidental Rd, Santa Rosa

Stamp Art. design and decorate an already purchased tote bag. We will cut up vegetables to use as our stamps in brightly colored paints. Fun and functional. Volunteer teachers Ellen and Ann and Patricia.

RSVP to Patricia Jefferson at PJefferson@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7692.

Sep 20
Sep 21
Sep 22
Sep 23(1 event)

10:00 am: The Business of Blindness: Coffee with Mike (online)


Sep 23

What does it mean to be blind or low vision? Mike Cole, a veteran of all things blindness, leads this call-in forum to discuss the day-to-day ins and outs of blindness—from daily living in your home environment to navigating the vast expanse of bureaucracies.

RSVP for The Business of Blindness online or to Sabrina Bolus at Sbolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7607.

Sep 24(2 events)

12:15 pm: Ukulele Class at Earle Baum Center (in-person)


Sep 24

Earle Baum Center, 4539 Occidental Rd, Santa Rosa

This class includes ukulele chord instruction for beginners, learning songs and singing together as a group.

RSVP to Denise Vancil at DVancil@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7832.

2:00 pm: Accessible Labyrinth Walks at Earle Baum Center (in-person)


Sep 24

Earle Baum Center, 4539 Occidental Rd, Santa Rosa

Labyrinths are an ancient archetypal symbol of transformation and mindfulness. We walk the special 39 inches-wide side path with brick curbs on each side to guide the traveler forward. White cane users, dog guides, wheelchairs and walkers are all welcome. In the open center you will find a peace pole to orient the direction of the path out. To the side there is a 60 ft. long curved bench to sit on for peaceful contemplation and reflection.

RSVP to Patricia Jefferson at PJefferson@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7692.

Sep 25(1 event)

(All day): Annual All-Staff Event (LightHouse Closed)

(All day)
Sep 25

LightHouse for the Blind will be closed on September 25 as the day will be used for an agency-wide annual all-staff event. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and encourage you to conduct any LightHouse business on another day. Thank you from the LightHouse team.

Sep 26(1 event)

10:30 am: Earle Baum Center Book Club (hybrid)


Sep 26

Earle Baum Center, 4539 Occidental Rd, Santa Rosa

This book club, led by a volunteer, meets regularly to discuss two books. The next books are chosen by the group in the preceding month. All books are available on the NLS Braille and Audio Reading Download.

RSVP and send questions to Patricia Jefferson PJefferson@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7692.

Sep 27(1 event)

9:00 am: Nature and Gardening with Marney Blair at Earle Baum Center (online)


Sep 27

A casual forum to learn tactile, olfactory, and other gardening techniques for low vision, blind gardeners, and nature lovers. We will gather on our phones to hear what is happening in Marney’s garden, learn new techniques, and share our stories with each other.

About Host: Marney Blair has been a farmer for 20 years atFulcrum Farm.  It was an integrated farm that included turkeys, laying hens, milking cows, and row crops of beans, corn, and edible seeds. The farm also made and sold compost.

RSVP to Patricia Jefferson at PJefferson@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7692,

Sep 28(1 event)

2:00 pm: Journey to Community, A Multicultural Event (in-person)


Sep 28

Spanish, Cantonese, and ASL interpretations will be provided.

Come along as we celebrate the rich stories of cultural tapestry within Latinx, Asian, and African American communities through personal narratives, cultural cuisine, and inspiring music.

Embark on "A Journey to Community," as our panelists take you on a cultural expedition through three stories that unite blind and visually impaired people from diverse backgrounds. The evening will conclude with DJ music and dancing.

Meet our expedition leaders/Panelists

  • Joseph Chan, LightHouse Board of Directors, Author Passion for Language Access
  • Norma Ryles LightHouse Student, Interior Designer Passion for Architecture and Design
  • Jorge Ellington LightHouse Student, Lifelong Musician, Passion: Music and Poetry
  • Moderated by Daisy Soto, LightHouse Youth Program CoordinatorEvent Schedule:
  • 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm: Social Hour, Enjoy food and drinks from diverse cultures
  • 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm: Panel Discussion, "Journeys to Community"
  • 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm: DJ Music and Dancing

RSVP:

Sep 29
Sep 30(2 events)

10:00 am: The Business of Blindness: Coffee with Mike (online)


Sep 30

What does it mean to be blind or low vision? Mike Cole, a veteran of all things blindness, leads this call-in forum to discuss the day-to-day ins and outs of blindness—from daily living in your home environment to navigating the vast expanse of bureaucracies.

RSVP for The Business of Blindness online or to Sabrina Bolus at Sbolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7607.

11:30 am: Fine Arts Museums Virtual Access Day (online)


Sep 30

Sonia Gallant and Karen Berniker of the Disability Access office at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco are pleased to announce a descriptive Zoom presentation by docent Anne Burns Johnson on Monday, September 30. This DeYoung Virtual Access Day is on the exhibit American Beauty: The Osher Collection of American Art currently on view at the DeYoung. Zoom information and registration links are below. Questions can be directed to Sonia at sgallant@famsf.org, 415-750-7678

T

The 19th and 20th centuries were an exceptionally dynamic time in American culture. Anchored by Impressionist and Realist artworks, this exhibition spans the years 1848 to 1960 and presents a variety of artistic responses to this complex period. This gift from Bernard and Barbro Osher enhances the museum’s American art collection with several significant firsts: the first large-scale oil painting by Winslow Homer (The Angler, ca. 1874), the first genre picture by William Merritt Chase (Spanish Bric-à-Brac Shop, 1883), the first major George Bellows landscape (In Virginia, 1908), the first Georgia O’Keeffe images of the Southwest (Front of Ranchos Church, 1930 and The Patio, 1940), plus thirteen artists entering the museum’s collection for the first time. The historic sweep of these paintings, drawings, and sculptures is reflected by several recurring themes, including the adventurous spirit of artists abroad, the enduring allure of Impressionism, intimacy and immediacy of portraiture, and beauty of America’s landscapes and seascapes.

Register for Anne’s 11:30 am descriptive docent talk for the Fine Arts Museums Virtual Access Day.

Oct 1
Oct 2(1 event)

7:00 pm: EHC Virtual Campfire (online)


Oct 2

Imagine the warmth of a crackling campfire, the sound of laughter, and the joy of shared stories—all from the comfort of your own home! At the EHC Virtual Campfire, happening on the first Wednesday of every month from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, we’re keeping the camp spirit alive and well.

Every month, we kick things off with exciting updates on our camp programs and facilities—what’s new, what’s on the horizon, and all the inside scoop! Then, we open the floor for everyone, from alumni to first-timers, to check in, share what’s on their minds, and connect with each other. It’s your chance to catch up with old friends or make new ones in our ever-growing camp family. And what’s a campfire without music? Expect some familiar camp songs, surprise musical performances, and maybe even a special guest or two. You never know what magic the night will bring! Some months we’ll go the extra mile with holiday celebrations, surprise announcements from LightHouse, or other exciting resources that’ll keep you coming back for more.

So grab your marshmallows, settle in, and RSVP to join us for an evening of fun, friendship, and campfire vibes. To sign up and get the zoom link for our monthly gathering please RSVP with Jamey Gump at JGump@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7372.

Oct 3
Oct 4
Oct 5(1 event)

(All day): White Cane Day Celebration

(All day)
Oct 5

To the left, flyer features white text on a dark gray background that reads “White Cane Day/ Saturday Oct. 5 / Join us for a march across the Golden Gate Bridge. RSVP & details to come!” To the right is a photo of a parent and child holding hands and walking across the Golden Gate Bridge— the child is using a white cane

SAVE THE DATE - WHITE CANE DAY!

2024 White Cane Day Celebration and march across the Golden Gate Bridge!

Saturday, October 5, 2024

After such an incredible success and historic White Cane Day march last October, we are at it again in 2024! March with friends from LightHouse and the blind and low vision communities as we come together to traverse the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in celebration of White Cane Day, symbolizing the strength and determination of those who navigate the world with the support of white canes and dog guides. It's not just a march; it's a journey towards inclusion, awareness, and support for the blind and low vision community. Please save the date, mark your calendars, and tell your friends to stay tuned for more details on this empowering event!

 

RSVPs are now open! Complete the registration form here.

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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