Calendar

The week's events

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Aug 2
Aug 3(1 event)

10:00 am: YES Summer Academy (online)


Aug 3

LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Connect, Learn, and Grow

YES Summer Academy Goes Online!

Youth Employment Series (YES)
July 6 (Monday) – August 7 (Friday), 2020

Registrations open until June 12, 2020

The LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Youth Employment Series (YES) is excited to offer a redesigned 2020 Academy for aged between 16 – 24 years youth who are blind or have low vision.

Despite the many changes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Youth will continue to have the opportunity to fill their summer with engaging and valuable learning experiences. They will have the chance to participate in independent living trainings, employment readiness projects, peer social hours, and mentoring conversations with life-long friends, mentors and supportive LightHouse staff through this groundbreaking program.

The YES Virtual Summer Academy is a 5-week long interactive experience. Youth will gain first-hand knowledge of building confidence and positive identity, learn collaboration and how to be a "team player”. They will get to know how to identify strengths and interests, as well as acquire a sense of direction through personalized job exploration learning activities.

 

The program will culminate with youth investigating career interests and equipping themselves with the tools to transition successfully. These include:

  • Career/strength assessment plans
  • Working resume
  • Interview strategies

Specific days will have a particular focus:

  • Mondays – presenter spotlight and seminars
  • Wednesdays - group-based discussions and weekly community building evening sessions.
  • Fridays - one-on-one coaching sessions

Students will receive 5-6 hours of direct weekly instruction via Zoom, phone, and email communication, approximately 2 hours per day, 3 days per week; they are also expected to complete application activities and work-based learning projects along with scheduled sessions.

The YES Summer Academy will encourage students to reflect and apply their learning experience to their lives and be more prepared for future dream opportunities and adulthood.

To take part in the YES Summer Academy, follow the steps below:

  1. Complete the LightHouse Student Intake Form and select “YES Summer Academy 2020” under the Program Interest section. If you have participated in LightHouse Youth programs within the last year, please skip this step and go directly to Step 2.
  2. Complete  the YES Summer Academy Participation Application and Short Responses. Please send your responses to youth@lighthouse-sf.org by June 12, 2020.

 

For professionals looking to fund places for students in the YES Academy Summer Series, please see the below planned learning outcomes:

  1. Job exploration counseling
  2. Counseling on opportunities for exploration and enrollment in comprehensive transition or post-secondary educational programs
  3. Workplace readiness training to develop soft and independent living skills
  4. Critical instruction in self-advocacy refinement and connection to blind and low vision mentors
  5. Work-based learning opportunities via community involvement, and additional emphasis around critical Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) concepts including assistive technology and independent living.

 

If you have any questions or need any further information, please contact Ann Wai-Yee Kwong, Transition Program Specialist, at youth@lighthouse-sf.org or call 415-694-7328

 

We look forward to welcoming your students to the LightHouse YES Summer Academy 2020.

Aug 4(2 events)

10:00 am: Get Moving: O&M for independent travel: Session I


Aug 4

Are you new to cane travel? Want to learn more about tactile maps and GPS? We’re offering a comprehensive six-week online course in Orientation & Mobility (O&M) to help you travel independently. Courses are taught by Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialists.

There will be two sessions:

Session I: For those working with their state’s vocational rehabilitation department or commission for the blind (available in all 50 states).

When: July 28 through September 3, Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to noon Pacific.

Instructors: Robert Alminana, Jennifer Huey

Session II: For those who are 55 and over, who aren’t in a vocational rehabilitation plan and living in Northern California.

When: Date:  August 17 through September 23, Mondays and Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. to noon Pacific.

Instructors: Danette Davis and Chris Williams

Who qualifies for this course?

Session I

  • State Department of Rehabilitation or Commission for the Blind Consumers in all 50 states.

Session II

  • Department of Veteran Affairs consumers
  • People 55 and over

What do you need to take this course?

Solid internet access and be able to access Zoom via phone and/or video and have computer skills to receive and read articles, watch videos and/or listen to podcasts.

What is this course about?

This is a comprehensive six-week, twelve-class course using the Zoom conferencing platform to introduce students to foundational O&M concepts, skills, and current technologies for safe, independent travel. Participants will meet twice a week for a total instruction time of 24 hours.

The course covers O&M fundamentals including the benefits of O&M skills for travel and employment; sensory, spatial and environmental awareness; orientation strategies and skills; tactile graphics and TMAP; human guide; protective techniques; long cane basics; street crossing sequence; intersection analysis, public transit and trip planning, introduction to electronic travel devices and GPS and wayfinding techniques.

Who would benefit from the course?

  • People who are blind or have low vision who are new to O&M.
  • People who have had a recent change in vision.
  • People who haven’t used their O&M skills in a while.
  • People looking for an O&M refresher.

How will participants benefit?

  • Participants will acquire strong foundational skills that are critical for safe, independent travel that will help them gain and retain employment.
  • Participants will receive structured, organized instruction that will prepare them for subsequent individualized training with a certified O&M specialist.

How does the course fit in with consumer’s overall O&M training program?

  • This will be the first of two parts in a combined O&M training curriculum.
  • The second part will be an individualized, face-to-face, hands-on learning and practice instruction program when public safety mandates allow. (Available to consumers in the LightHouse training area only.)

What is the cost of this course?

Session I$1,165.00 (990.00 for the course + $175.00 for materials

Session II: Course is provided at no charge to people living in San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda, Marin, Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity counties.  If you live outside those areas, the cost is $990.00. Scholarships are available. Course materials for the 12 weeks are $50 and may be waived based on scholarship availability.

What materials will be used during the course?  

  • Bump dots, mixed
  • Tactile Maps (TMAP)
  • Intersection map set
  • Wikki Stix
  • Additional materials supplied by LightHouse for The Blind: tactile activity sheets; rubber bands; signature guide; Kanga-Pak; sleep shade.

How to register for one of these courses?

Session I:  Robert Alminana at ralminana@lighthouse-sf.org or Jennifer Huey at jhuey@lighthouse-sf.org.

Session II:  Danette Davis at ddavis@lighthouse-sf.org or Chris Williams at cwilliams@lighthouse-sf.org.

2:00 pm: Tech Together Online: Tech for Staying Informed


Aug 4

Join the LightHouse 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. LightHouse Access Technology staff share tips and resources on each week’s topic. Then there is time for LightHouse students and friends to add to the conversation, as we all learn from each other.

Topics are decided on a rolling basis as our community’s needs evolve during shelter in place.

August 4: Tech for staying informed:

During these turbulent times, you may wish to access news articles, data, and alerts in various ways. We’ll highlight some accessible news platforms, and tips for knowing where your news is coming from when surfing social media or the web.

Upcoming

August 11: How to Choose Your Access Technology

August 18: Tech for Entering Text

Aug 5(1 event)

10:00 am: YES Summer Academy (online)


Aug 5

LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Connect, Learn, and Grow

YES Summer Academy Goes Online!

Youth Employment Series (YES)
July 6 (Monday) – August 7 (Friday), 2020

Registrations open until June 12, 2020

The LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Youth Employment Series (YES) is excited to offer a redesigned 2020 Academy for aged between 16 – 24 years youth who are blind or have low vision.

Despite the many changes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Youth will continue to have the opportunity to fill their summer with engaging and valuable learning experiences. They will have the chance to participate in independent living trainings, employment readiness projects, peer social hours, and mentoring conversations with life-long friends, mentors and supportive LightHouse staff through this groundbreaking program.

The YES Virtual Summer Academy is a 5-week long interactive experience. Youth will gain first-hand knowledge of building confidence and positive identity, learn collaboration and how to be a "team player”. They will get to know how to identify strengths and interests, as well as acquire a sense of direction through personalized job exploration learning activities.

 

The program will culminate with youth investigating career interests and equipping themselves with the tools to transition successfully. These include:

  • Career/strength assessment plans
  • Working resume
  • Interview strategies

Specific days will have a particular focus:

  • Mondays – presenter spotlight and seminars
  • Wednesdays - group-based discussions and weekly community building evening sessions.
  • Fridays - one-on-one coaching sessions

Students will receive 5-6 hours of direct weekly instruction via Zoom, phone, and email communication, approximately 2 hours per day, 3 days per week; they are also expected to complete application activities and work-based learning projects along with scheduled sessions.

The YES Summer Academy will encourage students to reflect and apply their learning experience to their lives and be more prepared for future dream opportunities and adulthood.

To take part in the YES Summer Academy, follow the steps below:

  1. Complete the LightHouse Student Intake Form and select “YES Summer Academy 2020” under the Program Interest section. If you have participated in LightHouse Youth programs within the last year, please skip this step and go directly to Step 2.
  2. Complete  the YES Summer Academy Participation Application and Short Responses. Please send your responses to youth@lighthouse-sf.org by June 12, 2020.

 

For professionals looking to fund places for students in the YES Academy Summer Series, please see the below planned learning outcomes:

  1. Job exploration counseling
  2. Counseling on opportunities for exploration and enrollment in comprehensive transition or post-secondary educational programs
  3. Workplace readiness training to develop soft and independent living skills
  4. Critical instruction in self-advocacy refinement and connection to blind and low vision mentors
  5. Work-based learning opportunities via community involvement, and additional emphasis around critical Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) concepts including assistive technology and independent living.

 

If you have any questions or need any further information, please contact Ann Wai-Yee Kwong, Transition Program Specialist, at youth@lighthouse-sf.org or call 415-694-7328

 

We look forward to welcoming your students to the LightHouse YES Summer Academy 2020.

Aug 6(1 event)

10:00 am: Get Moving: O&M for independent travel: Session I


Aug 6

Are you new to cane travel? Want to learn more about tactile maps and GPS? We’re offering a comprehensive six-week online course in Orientation & Mobility (O&M) to help you travel independently. Courses are taught by Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialists.

There will be two sessions:

Session I: For those working with their state’s vocational rehabilitation department or commission for the blind (available in all 50 states).

When: July 28 through September 3, Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to noon Pacific.

Instructors: Robert Alminana, Jennifer Huey

Session II: For those who are 55 and over, who aren’t in a vocational rehabilitation plan and living in Northern California.

When: Date:  August 17 through September 23, Mondays and Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. to noon Pacific.

Instructors: Danette Davis and Chris Williams

Who qualifies for this course?

Session I

  • State Department of Rehabilitation or Commission for the Blind Consumers in all 50 states.

Session II

  • Department of Veteran Affairs consumers
  • People 55 and over

What do you need to take this course?

Solid internet access and be able to access Zoom via phone and/or video and have computer skills to receive and read articles, watch videos and/or listen to podcasts.

What is this course about?

This is a comprehensive six-week, twelve-class course using the Zoom conferencing platform to introduce students to foundational O&M concepts, skills, and current technologies for safe, independent travel. Participants will meet twice a week for a total instruction time of 24 hours.

The course covers O&M fundamentals including the benefits of O&M skills for travel and employment; sensory, spatial and environmental awareness; orientation strategies and skills; tactile graphics and TMAP; human guide; protective techniques; long cane basics; street crossing sequence; intersection analysis, public transit and trip planning, introduction to electronic travel devices and GPS and wayfinding techniques.

Who would benefit from the course?

  • People who are blind or have low vision who are new to O&M.
  • People who have had a recent change in vision.
  • People who haven’t used their O&M skills in a while.
  • People looking for an O&M refresher.

How will participants benefit?

  • Participants will acquire strong foundational skills that are critical for safe, independent travel that will help them gain and retain employment.
  • Participants will receive structured, organized instruction that will prepare them for subsequent individualized training with a certified O&M specialist.

How does the course fit in with consumer’s overall O&M training program?

  • This will be the first of two parts in a combined O&M training curriculum.
  • The second part will be an individualized, face-to-face, hands-on learning and practice instruction program when public safety mandates allow. (Available to consumers in the LightHouse training area only.)

What is the cost of this course?

Session I$1,165.00 (990.00 for the course + $175.00 for materials

Session II: Course is provided at no charge to people living in San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda, Marin, Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity counties.  If you live outside those areas, the cost is $990.00. Scholarships are available. Course materials for the 12 weeks are $50 and may be waived based on scholarship availability.

What materials will be used during the course?  

  • Bump dots, mixed
  • Tactile Maps (TMAP)
  • Intersection map set
  • Wikki Stix
  • Additional materials supplied by LightHouse for The Blind: tactile activity sheets; rubber bands; signature guide; Kanga-Pak; sleep shade.

How to register for one of these courses?

Session I:  Robert Alminana at ralminana@lighthouse-sf.org or Jennifer Huey at jhuey@lighthouse-sf.org.

Session II:  Danette Davis at ddavis@lighthouse-sf.org or Chris Williams at cwilliams@lighthouse-sf.org.

Aug 7(1 event)

10:00 am: YES Summer Academy (online)


Aug 7

LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Connect, Learn, and Grow

YES Summer Academy Goes Online!

Youth Employment Series (YES)
July 6 (Monday) – August 7 (Friday), 2020

Registrations open until June 12, 2020

The LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Youth Employment Series (YES) is excited to offer a redesigned 2020 Academy for aged between 16 – 24 years youth who are blind or have low vision.

Despite the many changes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Youth will continue to have the opportunity to fill their summer with engaging and valuable learning experiences. They will have the chance to participate in independent living trainings, employment readiness projects, peer social hours, and mentoring conversations with life-long friends, mentors and supportive LightHouse staff through this groundbreaking program.

The YES Virtual Summer Academy is a 5-week long interactive experience. Youth will gain first-hand knowledge of building confidence and positive identity, learn collaboration and how to be a "team player”. They will get to know how to identify strengths and interests, as well as acquire a sense of direction through personalized job exploration learning activities.

 

The program will culminate with youth investigating career interests and equipping themselves with the tools to transition successfully. These include:

  • Career/strength assessment plans
  • Working resume
  • Interview strategies

Specific days will have a particular focus:

  • Mondays – presenter spotlight and seminars
  • Wednesdays - group-based discussions and weekly community building evening sessions.
  • Fridays - one-on-one coaching sessions

Students will receive 5-6 hours of direct weekly instruction via Zoom, phone, and email communication, approximately 2 hours per day, 3 days per week; they are also expected to complete application activities and work-based learning projects along with scheduled sessions.

The YES Summer Academy will encourage students to reflect and apply their learning experience to their lives and be more prepared for future dream opportunities and adulthood.

To take part in the YES Summer Academy, follow the steps below:

  1. Complete the LightHouse Student Intake Form and select “YES Summer Academy 2020” under the Program Interest section. If you have participated in LightHouse Youth programs within the last year, please skip this step and go directly to Step 2.
  2. Complete  the YES Summer Academy Participation Application and Short Responses. Please send your responses to youth@lighthouse-sf.org by June 12, 2020.

 

For professionals looking to fund places for students in the YES Academy Summer Series, please see the below planned learning outcomes:

  1. Job exploration counseling
  2. Counseling on opportunities for exploration and enrollment in comprehensive transition or post-secondary educational programs
  3. Workplace readiness training to develop soft and independent living skills
  4. Critical instruction in self-advocacy refinement and connection to blind and low vision mentors
  5. Work-based learning opportunities via community involvement, and additional emphasis around critical Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) concepts including assistive technology and independent living.

 

If you have any questions or need any further information, please contact Ann Wai-Yee Kwong, Transition Program Specialist, at youth@lighthouse-sf.org or call 415-694-7328

 

We look forward to welcoming your students to the LightHouse YES Summer Academy 2020.

Aug 8

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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