Calendar

The week's events

  • Get Moving: O&M for independent travel: Session II

    Get Moving: O&M for independent travel: Session II


    Sep 28

    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 28, Mondays and Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. to noon Pacific. No class on Labor Day, September 7.

    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.

  • Safe and Confident Movement for O & M Travel (Online) for Adults 55 and over

    Safe and Confident Movement for O & M Travel (Online) for Adults 55 and over


    Sep 29

    A course focusing on building balance and stability to allow for more confident movement.

    Adults 55 and over are invited to participate in a six-session course geared towards improving safety in movement for indoor and outdoor activities. Exercises performed during class will help students feel more sure-footed when navigating stairs, walking over uneven sidewalks, and moving around obstacles while using a white cane or dog guide. Exercises designed to ease the transition between sit-to-stand movements will also be incorporated.

    In addition to completing simple and dual task activities, participants will learn how to conduct an at home safety assessment, evaluate elements that improve footwear stability, and develop a personalized balance program. After the six-session course, participants can expect to feel more self-assured in personal movement patterns and less anxious about falling.

    The classes will be taught via Zoom or phone at the following dates and times:

    Week 1: Tuesday, September 22 and Thursday, September 24 – 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
    Week 2: Tuesday, September 29 and Thursday, October 1 - 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
    Week 3: Tuesday, October 6 and Thursday, October 8 - 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

    There are no costs associated with this course for adults 55 and over living in the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Marin, Humboldt, Del Norte, and Trinity. For those adults living outside the noted counties, the course is 150.00, plus materials.

    To register please contact Debbie Bacon at 415-694-7357 or O&M Specialist, Marie Trudelle, at MTrudelle@lighthouse-sf.org. The class is limited to ten students.

  • Safe and Confident Movement for O & M Travel (Online) for Adults 55 and over

    Safe and Confident Movement for O & M Travel (Online) for Adults 55 and over


    Oct 1

    A course focusing on building balance and stability to allow for more confident movement.

    Adults 55 and over are invited to participate in a six-session course geared towards improving safety in movement for indoor and outdoor activities. Exercises performed during class will help students feel more sure-footed when navigating stairs, walking over uneven sidewalks, and moving around obstacles while using a white cane or dog guide. Exercises designed to ease the transition between sit-to-stand movements will also be incorporated.

    In addition to completing simple and dual task activities, participants will learn how to conduct an at home safety assessment, evaluate elements that improve footwear stability, and develop a personalized balance program. After the six-session course, participants can expect to feel more self-assured in personal movement patterns and less anxious about falling.

    The classes will be taught via Zoom or phone at the following dates and times:

    Week 1: Tuesday, September 22 and Thursday, September 24 – 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
    Week 2: Tuesday, September 29 and Thursday, October 1 - 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
    Week 3: Tuesday, October 6 and Thursday, October 8 - 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

    There are no costs associated with this course for adults 55 and over living in the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Marin, Humboldt, Del Norte, and Trinity. For those adults living outside the noted counties, the course is 150.00, plus materials.

    To register please contact Debbie Bacon at 415-694-7357 or O&M Specialist, Marie Trudelle, at MTrudelle@lighthouse-sf.org. The class is limited to ten students.

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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