Calendar

The week's events

  • Rafting and Overnight Camp-Out with ETC

    Rafting and Overnight Camp-Out with ETC


    Sep 10 Sep 11

    As we make are way into fall, the LightHouse invites students of all ages to join us for our next adventure with Environmental Traveling Companions (ETC). This time we head east to the South Fork of the American River for an overnight camp-out and whitewater rafting adventure with your blind and low vision friends.

    Our trip will depart from the Ed Roberts Campus Saturday, September 10 at 1:00 pm when we will head up to the ETC Camp in Lotus, California where we will make dinner as a group and enjoy an evening under the stars. The next morning, after we make breakfast, our day long paddle will begin. After a fun day on the water lead by our experienced ETC Guides, our group will make the trip back to Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley in the evening. This trip is open for youth and adults ages 14 and up and is $150.00 per participant. This includes, rafting equipment, overnight camp-out, transportation to the rafting site, and meals throughout the adventure.

    Who: Youth and Adults who are blind or have low vision (ages 14 and up)

    What: Whitewater Rafting and Overnight Camp-out

    When: Depart from the Ed Roberts Campus at 1:00 pm Saturday, September 10 and return to the same space 8:30 pm Sunday, September 11

    Where: South Fork of the American River and ETC’s Overnight Camp located in Lotus, CA

    Waiver: Each participant must complete and submit both a LightHouse and Environmental Travel Companions form

    Cost: The cost of the event is $150.00 per participant. This fee includes, rafting equipment, overnight camp-out, transportation to the rafting site, meals and snacks throughout the adventure. Spots will only be reserved once payment and the two signed waivers are received.

    Transportation: Round trip shuttle for this outing from the Ed Roberts Campus is available for those who request a space when they RSVP. Individuals who do not need transportation from the Bay Area may arrange transportation to meet us at the River Camp.

    RSVP: Contact Jamey Gump By September 3rd. Please note – Space is limited and one’s spot will not be confirmed until all payment and paperwork for this trip is submitted. Please also confirm your transportation needs when RSVP’ing.

    If you are interested in joining us, please contact Youth Services Coordinator Jamey Gump no later than September 3 by email at jgump@lighthouse-sf.org or by phone at 415-694-7372.

  • Tech Together - September 2022 (online)

    Tech Together - September 2022 (online)


    Sep 13

    Join the Access Technology team for a series of informal conversations on technology topics relevant to these current times. Tech Together is a chance to share your knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other blind technology users. Our Access Technology Specialists and Trainers share their expertise, tips, and handy resources on each week’s topic. Afterward, there is time for our students and friends to add to the conversation, as we all learn from each other.

    RSVP online using the links below or by voicemail at 415-694-7618.

    September 6: Open Forum

    Do you have a favorite tech tip or trick to share? Do you have questions about your tech setup? Do you have ideas about future Tech Together events? Join the Access Technology team for a fun and freeform discussion where we can all nerd out and learn about tech, together!

    RSVP for Open Forum

    September 13: Smart Speakers - Setup and Basics

    If you're an access technology user, you likely spend lots of time listening to machines. Today, let's discuss completing tasks by talking to them! We'll cover setup and configuration of smart speakers featuring Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant and share some ways all three virtual assistants can help you get things done.

    RSVP for Smart Speakers - Setup and Basics

    September 20: Smart Speakers - Next Steps

    After last week's introduction to Siri, Alexa and Google, let's take a deeper dive into each assistant's skills. We'll share the tasks that each assistant performs the best. All three have their strengths and struggle points, but which one will be the winner for you?

    RSVP for Smart Speakers - Next Steps

    September 27: Let's Label It

    From the file cabinet to the kitchen pantry, from low-tech to high-tech, join the Access Technology team, and we'll discuss ways you can label anything and everything in your life.

    RSVP for Let’s Label It

  • G-Vibes Gratitude Sessions (online)

    G-Vibes Gratitude Sessions (online)


    Sep 14

    G-Vibes are Gratitude Visually Impaired Blind Energizing Sessions. Gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gather online and share what you feel grateful for in a safe and welcoming space and hear what others share as well. These mid-week sessions can help you feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve your health, deal with adversity and build strong relationships.

    RSVP to Sabrina Bolus at SBolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-760

  • Create in Community (in-person)

    Create in Community (in-person)


    Sep 15

    Get your creative juices flowing every week in the LightHouse Craft Room. We’ll explore a variety of different arts media and prompts that will change each month. Let loose your curiosity and sense of play in a supportive space where you are welcome to experiment with the current LightHouse projects, or bring your own craft to work on alongside friends. No experience is necessary. Wear or bring something you don't mind getting dirty.

    This September, we will create and decorate a unique selection of book structures from tunnel books to one-page zines, pamphlet stitched bindings and more.

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

    Introduction to Accessible Wayfinding (online)

    Introduction to Accessible Wayfinding (online)


    Sep 15

    Access Technology instructors Kacie Cappello, Fernando Macias, and Orientation & Mobility instructor Katt Jones are teaming up to present a virtual five-part class series on Accessible Wayfinding. Learn the ins and outs of GPS terminology, Microsoft Soundscape, Apple Maps, Google Maps, and transit apps. The class will be limited to eight students.

    Students interested in the course must live in one of the following counties: San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin or Humboldt to qualify. Students must use an iPhone, have a Apple account and be able to download apps to their iPhone, and be comfortable navigating the screen semi-independently.

    Class Schedule

    September 8: GPS Concepts and Terminology

    In this class, we will learn the basic terminology of digital wayfinding such as POI and turn-by turn. We'll also use virtual assistants and the Compass app to obtain basic location and directional information.

    September 15: Soundscape Part 1: Automatic Callouts and Markers

    In this class, we will review the functions of automatic call-out applications and start to explore Soundscape's informational controls, in order to obtain information about immediate physical surroundings as well as create markers for points of interests (POIs).

    September 22: Soundscape Part 2: Audio Beacons and Street Preview Mode

    In this class, we will continue to use the various features and functions within Soundscape to travel virtually to new locations for route-planning purposes, and we will compare/contrast Soundscape with other automatic call-out applications.

    September 27: Getting Directions with Apple Maps and Google Maps

    In this class, we will review Apple Maps and Google Maps' features and functions to obtain information for local businesses and search for public transit directions to points of interests as well as for walking directions to points of interests.

    September 29: Transit Applications and Review

    In this last class, we will explore and use the Moovit and Transit applications to look for departure time information for nearby stops and lines and to search for directions to a point of interest. We'll also review the applications discussed during the course to mark, obtain directions for, and virtually travel to points of interests.

    Thursdays, September 8, 15, 22 & 29 + Tuesday, September 27 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

    Please RSVP to Julie Koh at JKoh@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7684.

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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