Calendar

Events in October 2019

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Sep 29
Sep 30
Oct 1
Oct 2
Oct 3(1 event)

4:30 pm: Learn More About Better Market Street


Oct 3

You are invited to a community gathering on Thursday, October 3, to learn more about and give input to the Better Market Street project.

Better Market Street is the City's multi-agency project to transform 2.2 miles of Market Street from Octavia Boulevard to Stuart Street, enhancing safety and accessibility, improving transit performance, replacing aging infrastructure, and revitalizing the corridors streetscape.

The project is advancing toward approval this fall and in the coming months. Team members from San Francisco Public Works and San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency will be joining us for community meetings to provide updates on the project.

At our first meeting, we will hear an overview of the project with an emphasis on the first phase of the project: Market Street between Eighth and Fifth streets. The team will also discuss proposed transit stops and passenger drop-off zones.

Please join us at 1155 Market Street, 10th floor, on Thursday, Oct. 3, 4:30-6 p.m.

RSVP directly to Jennifer Blot of San Francisco Public Works: Jennifer.blot@sfdpw.org or (415) 554-6993.

"

Oct 4
Oct 5
Oct 6
Oct 7
Oct 8
Oct 9
Oct 10
Oct 11
Oct 12(1 event)

12:00 pm: Superfest Disability Film Festival


Oct 12

Superfest Disability Film Festival is the longest running disability film festival in the world. Since 1970, we have celebrated cinema that portrays disability through a diverse, complex, unabashed and engaging lens.

We strive for accessibility with audio description, captioning, and ASL/CART.

Showtimes:

OCTOBER 12, 2019

BERKELEY

FREIGHT & SALVAGE

12 - 2:30 p.m.

OCTOBER 13, 2019

SAN FRANCISCO

THE CONTEMPORARY JEWISH MUSEUM

11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. & 2 - 4:30 p.m.

Visit the Superfest website for info and tickets.

Co-hosted by: LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the San Francisco State University Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability.

To book a traveling Superfest Showcase, contact superfestshowcase@gmail.com.

Read more: Superfest Disability Film Festival

Oct 13(2 events)

(All day): Changing Vision, Changing Life (CVCL)

(All day)
Oct 13 Oct 18

Changing Vision Changing Life, Immersion Training In March, June and October of 2019, the week-long Changing Vision Changing Life Immersion Training is open for registration. This 6-day/5 night Immersion Training has returned to Enchanted Hills Retreat Center in Napa.

What is this Immersion all about? Truly, it is about bringing peers together for learning, support, encouragement and moving forward. Each training brings together over a dozen adults ranging in age from mid-20’s to 90’s from all over northern California and the Central Valley who are new to low vision or blindness and have not had the opportunity to begin to embrace their journey of developing key foundational blind and low vision skills and, become acquainted with the information, resources and vibrant and supportive peer community. Over the past seven years CVCL has provided a venue and opportunity for over 250 students to jump-start the life they want to lead with confidence and competence. Each Immersion Week is purposefully planned for no more than 16 students so that small group learning and personal discovery can take place.

What skills and learning takes place? CVCL is a gateway for understanding the journey of skill and personal development students need to return to work, school and life. While we know that everything cannot be learned in 6-days, CVCL provides each student a full week of ‘learning appetizers which feature developing foundational skills and information in the areas of home management (cooking basics, organization and labeling skills), mobility, access technology, accessing print and most of all, peer support. Over the years we have listened to our students. Many students don’t know what choices they have, but also what decisions and commitments they will need to make as they desire to be successful in work, school and daily life. During the Immersion week we hope to provide each student the choices for jumping on a path to confidence, competence and independence. While gaining basic skills and confidence with changing vision is the overall theme of the week, the experience of coming together with other adults who are low vision or blind to learn or relearn skills, remains the most pivotal impact of the week long experience.

Successful immersion learning is the consequential participation of learning or re-learning skills in everyday-life situations, simply put, learning and thinking by doing. Throughout the week students are introduced to skills, strategies and tools that can transfer from home to school to work, from sun up to sundown. Each day is full. All learning happens in small and large groups from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and for those who want to get started even earlier, every morning starts with Yoga for All Abilities at 7:30am.

The majority of our teachers, facilitators and mentors are blind/low vision, and all have over 10 years personal and/or teaching experience with blindness. Our expectations are that each student has come to immerse themselves in learning new ways to accomplish familiar life activities with like-minded peers. It is an experience which is supportive, motivational, and fun! We are transparent though, the week is very active and can also feel overwhelming, intense and somewhat rigorous, because for many, much of the training and concepts are new. We are there to support you. And throughout the week, ‘time-out’ is provided for students to share their personal experiences with each other, gaining insight, perspective and support for moving forward. This week is for blind and low vision people who want to return to work, school and engage in life. The upcoming CVCL Weeks are developed to give students this focus. Specifically, the March and October CVCL Immersion weeks will be geared to persons who have the goal of employment. While many of the foundational skills will be introduced, students will also have the opportunity to meet students who have been successful in training and securing employment. Our June Immersion, will be open to all adults who are new to blindness and low vision, your goal is simply to want to jump back into life equipped with foundational skills and information!

Here are the upcoming 2019 Changing Vision, Changing Life Immersion dates:
Session #1: March 24 – 29, Last day to register, March 18. Employment focused students only – Napa location
Session #2: June 2 – 7, Last day to register, May 24. Napa location
Session #3: October 13 -18, Last day to register, October 14. Employment focused students only – Napa location

Please note, Sessions will be cancelled if registration falls below 10 students.
What is the fee for the week? The cost for the week is $1300 and $100 for transportation from San Francisco, Berkeley, San Rafael or Eureka. In addition to all of the learning and connection that takes place, the cost includes shared accommodations and three healthy and delicious meals/day. A pre-registration deposit of $100 is due at the time of acceptance to the Immersion Training. This deposit is fully refundable if cancellation is made within 5 days of the start date of training. Limited scholarships will be made available to students who are not consumers with the Department of Rehailitation or the VA and are 55 years and older living in the counties of Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity and San Mateo.
To Register? All students must complete a Registration Intake and Assessment to ensure this training program is the best fit for your skills and interests.
Questions and Referrals from the California State Department of Rehabilitation or the Veterans Administration can be made directly to one of the staff listed below. We do request that all interested students are in good health and have the overall stamina to participate in full days of training walking throughout our Napa site which includes walking short grades and small hills.
Contact one of our staff in your area to start the registration process:
Debbie Bacon, Rehabilitation Counselor, San Francisco Headquarters: 415-694-7357 or dbacon@lighthouse-sf.org
Jeff Carlson, Social Worker, LightHouse of Marin: 415-258-8496 or jcarlson@lighthouse-sf.org
Janet Pomerantz, Social Worker, LightHouse of the North Coast, Eureka: 707-268-5646 or jpomerantz@lighthouse-sf.org

11:00 am: Superfest Disability Film Festival


Oct 13

Superfest Disability Film Festival is the longest running disability film festival in the world. Since 1970, we have celebrated cinema that portrays disability through a diverse, complex, unabashed and engaging lens.

We strive for accessibility with audio description, captioning, and ASL/CART.

Showtimes:

OCTOBER 12, 2019

BERKELEY

FREIGHT & SALVAGE

12 - 2:30 p.m.

OCTOBER 13, 2019

SAN FRANCISCO

THE CONTEMPORARY JEWISH MUSEUM

11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. & 2 - 4:30 p.m.

Visit the Superfest website for info and tickets.

Co-hosted by: LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the San Francisco State University Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability.

To book a traveling Superfest Showcase, contact superfestshowcase@gmail.com.

Read more: Superfest Disability Film Festival

Oct 14(1 event)

(All day): Changing Vision, Changing Life (CVCL)

(All day)
Oct 13 Oct 18

Changing Vision Changing Life, Immersion Training In March, June and October of 2019, the week-long Changing Vision Changing Life Immersion Training is open for registration. This 6-day/5 night Immersion Training has returned to Enchanted Hills Retreat Center in Napa.

What is this Immersion all about? Truly, it is about bringing peers together for learning, support, encouragement and moving forward. Each training brings together over a dozen adults ranging in age from mid-20’s to 90’s from all over northern California and the Central Valley who are new to low vision or blindness and have not had the opportunity to begin to embrace their journey of developing key foundational blind and low vision skills and, become acquainted with the information, resources and vibrant and supportive peer community. Over the past seven years CVCL has provided a venue and opportunity for over 250 students to jump-start the life they want to lead with confidence and competence. Each Immersion Week is purposefully planned for no more than 16 students so that small group learning and personal discovery can take place.

What skills and learning takes place? CVCL is a gateway for understanding the journey of skill and personal development students need to return to work, school and life. While we know that everything cannot be learned in 6-days, CVCL provides each student a full week of ‘learning appetizers which feature developing foundational skills and information in the areas of home management (cooking basics, organization and labeling skills), mobility, access technology, accessing print and most of all, peer support. Over the years we have listened to our students. Many students don’t know what choices they have, but also what decisions and commitments they will need to make as they desire to be successful in work, school and daily life. During the Immersion week we hope to provide each student the choices for jumping on a path to confidence, competence and independence. While gaining basic skills and confidence with changing vision is the overall theme of the week, the experience of coming together with other adults who are low vision or blind to learn or relearn skills, remains the most pivotal impact of the week long experience.

Successful immersion learning is the consequential participation of learning or re-learning skills in everyday-life situations, simply put, learning and thinking by doing. Throughout the week students are introduced to skills, strategies and tools that can transfer from home to school to work, from sun up to sundown. Each day is full. All learning happens in small and large groups from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and for those who want to get started even earlier, every morning starts with Yoga for All Abilities at 7:30am.

The majority of our teachers, facilitators and mentors are blind/low vision, and all have over 10 years personal and/or teaching experience with blindness. Our expectations are that each student has come to immerse themselves in learning new ways to accomplish familiar life activities with like-minded peers. It is an experience which is supportive, motivational, and fun! We are transparent though, the week is very active and can also feel overwhelming, intense and somewhat rigorous, because for many, much of the training and concepts are new. We are there to support you. And throughout the week, ‘time-out’ is provided for students to share their personal experiences with each other, gaining insight, perspective and support for moving forward. This week is for blind and low vision people who want to return to work, school and engage in life. The upcoming CVCL Weeks are developed to give students this focus. Specifically, the March and October CVCL Immersion weeks will be geared to persons who have the goal of employment. While many of the foundational skills will be introduced, students will also have the opportunity to meet students who have been successful in training and securing employment. Our June Immersion, will be open to all adults who are new to blindness and low vision, your goal is simply to want to jump back into life equipped with foundational skills and information!

Here are the upcoming 2019 Changing Vision, Changing Life Immersion dates:
Session #1: March 24 – 29, Last day to register, March 18. Employment focused students only – Napa location
Session #2: June 2 – 7, Last day to register, May 24. Napa location
Session #3: October 13 -18, Last day to register, October 14. Employment focused students only – Napa location

Please note, Sessions will be cancelled if registration falls below 10 students.
What is the fee for the week? The cost for the week is $1300 and $100 for transportation from San Francisco, Berkeley, San Rafael or Eureka. In addition to all of the learning and connection that takes place, the cost includes shared accommodations and three healthy and delicious meals/day. A pre-registration deposit of $100 is due at the time of acceptance to the Immersion Training. This deposit is fully refundable if cancellation is made within 5 days of the start date of training. Limited scholarships will be made available to students who are not consumers with the Department of Rehailitation or the VA and are 55 years and older living in the counties of Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity and San Mateo.
To Register? All students must complete a Registration Intake and Assessment to ensure this training program is the best fit for your skills and interests.
Questions and Referrals from the California State Department of Rehabilitation or the Veterans Administration can be made directly to one of the staff listed below. We do request that all interested students are in good health and have the overall stamina to participate in full days of training walking throughout our Napa site which includes walking short grades and small hills.
Contact one of our staff in your area to start the registration process:
Debbie Bacon, Rehabilitation Counselor, San Francisco Headquarters: 415-694-7357 or dbacon@lighthouse-sf.org
Jeff Carlson, Social Worker, LightHouse of Marin: 415-258-8496 or jcarlson@lighthouse-sf.org
Janet Pomerantz, Social Worker, LightHouse of the North Coast, Eureka: 707-268-5646 or jpomerantz@lighthouse-sf.org

Oct 15(2 events)

(All day): Changing Vision, Changing Life (CVCL)

(All day)
Oct 13 Oct 18

Changing Vision Changing Life, Immersion Training In March, June and October of 2019, the week-long Changing Vision Changing Life Immersion Training is open for registration. This 6-day/5 night Immersion Training has returned to Enchanted Hills Retreat Center in Napa.

What is this Immersion all about? Truly, it is about bringing peers together for learning, support, encouragement and moving forward. Each training brings together over a dozen adults ranging in age from mid-20’s to 90’s from all over northern California and the Central Valley who are new to low vision or blindness and have not had the opportunity to begin to embrace their journey of developing key foundational blind and low vision skills and, become acquainted with the information, resources and vibrant and supportive peer community. Over the past seven years CVCL has provided a venue and opportunity for over 250 students to jump-start the life they want to lead with confidence and competence. Each Immersion Week is purposefully planned for no more than 16 students so that small group learning and personal discovery can take place.

What skills and learning takes place? CVCL is a gateway for understanding the journey of skill and personal development students need to return to work, school and life. While we know that everything cannot be learned in 6-days, CVCL provides each student a full week of ‘learning appetizers which feature developing foundational skills and information in the areas of home management (cooking basics, organization and labeling skills), mobility, access technology, accessing print and most of all, peer support. Over the years we have listened to our students. Many students don’t know what choices they have, but also what decisions and commitments they will need to make as they desire to be successful in work, school and daily life. During the Immersion week we hope to provide each student the choices for jumping on a path to confidence, competence and independence. While gaining basic skills and confidence with changing vision is the overall theme of the week, the experience of coming together with other adults who are low vision or blind to learn or relearn skills, remains the most pivotal impact of the week long experience.

Successful immersion learning is the consequential participation of learning or re-learning skills in everyday-life situations, simply put, learning and thinking by doing. Throughout the week students are introduced to skills, strategies and tools that can transfer from home to school to work, from sun up to sundown. Each day is full. All learning happens in small and large groups from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and for those who want to get started even earlier, every morning starts with Yoga for All Abilities at 7:30am.

The majority of our teachers, facilitators and mentors are blind/low vision, and all have over 10 years personal and/or teaching experience with blindness. Our expectations are that each student has come to immerse themselves in learning new ways to accomplish familiar life activities with like-minded peers. It is an experience which is supportive, motivational, and fun! We are transparent though, the week is very active and can also feel overwhelming, intense and somewhat rigorous, because for many, much of the training and concepts are new. We are there to support you. And throughout the week, ‘time-out’ is provided for students to share their personal experiences with each other, gaining insight, perspective and support for moving forward. This week is for blind and low vision people who want to return to work, school and engage in life. The upcoming CVCL Weeks are developed to give students this focus. Specifically, the March and October CVCL Immersion weeks will be geared to persons who have the goal of employment. While many of the foundational skills will be introduced, students will also have the opportunity to meet students who have been successful in training and securing employment. Our June Immersion, will be open to all adults who are new to blindness and low vision, your goal is simply to want to jump back into life equipped with foundational skills and information!

Here are the upcoming 2019 Changing Vision, Changing Life Immersion dates:
Session #1: March 24 – 29, Last day to register, March 18. Employment focused students only – Napa location
Session #2: June 2 – 7, Last day to register, May 24. Napa location
Session #3: October 13 -18, Last day to register, October 14. Employment focused students only – Napa location

Please note, Sessions will be cancelled if registration falls below 10 students.
What is the fee for the week? The cost for the week is $1300 and $100 for transportation from San Francisco, Berkeley, San Rafael or Eureka. In addition to all of the learning and connection that takes place, the cost includes shared accommodations and three healthy and delicious meals/day. A pre-registration deposit of $100 is due at the time of acceptance to the Immersion Training. This deposit is fully refundable if cancellation is made within 5 days of the start date of training. Limited scholarships will be made available to students who are not consumers with the Department of Rehailitation or the VA and are 55 years and older living in the counties of Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity and San Mateo.
To Register? All students must complete a Registration Intake and Assessment to ensure this training program is the best fit for your skills and interests.
Questions and Referrals from the California State Department of Rehabilitation or the Veterans Administration can be made directly to one of the staff listed below. We do request that all interested students are in good health and have the overall stamina to participate in full days of training walking throughout our Napa site which includes walking short grades and small hills.
Contact one of our staff in your area to start the registration process:
Debbie Bacon, Rehabilitation Counselor, San Francisco Headquarters: 415-694-7357 or dbacon@lighthouse-sf.org
Jeff Carlson, Social Worker, LightHouse of Marin: 415-258-8496 or jcarlson@lighthouse-sf.org
Janet Pomerantz, Social Worker, LightHouse of the North Coast, Eureka: 707-268-5646 or jpomerantz@lighthouse-sf.org

10:00 am: Celebrate White Cane Safety Day with SF Mayor London Breed


Oct 15

Tuesday, October 15 is White Cane Safety Day! Come celebrate the day and promote safety awareness in the neighborhood of LightHouse Headquarters (1155 Market St., San Francisco). Join LightHouse staff and ambassadors as we celebrate and spread awareness of White Cane Day from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. We encourage everyone to bring their canes or guide dogs with them for the event and to invite your friends and blindness allies if they are interested.

We will start off with a 30-minute welcome meeting at LightHouse on the 10th floor to talk about white canes, LightHouse's involvement with the Safe Streets project and pedestrian safety in the city. Come to LightHouse headquarters for the pre-walk event and meet San Francisco Mayor London Breed who will be in attendance. There will be refreshments for those attending the welcome.

After the meeting concludes at 10:30, we will go out as a group to City Hall and back to create awareness and visibility of the white cane and blind pedestrians. Anyone who comes to walk with us will get a free Safe Streets t-shirt – now in white!

If you are coming, RVSP directly to Briana Kusuma at bkusuma@lighthouse-sf.org or 415.694.7335 with your shirt size (if you would like one of our 2019 shirts) and be sure to wear your Safe Streets t-shirt if you already have one or don’t want to wear the new white one that day.

Oct 16(1 event)

(All day): Changing Vision, Changing Life (CVCL)

(All day)
Oct 13 Oct 18

Changing Vision Changing Life, Immersion Training In March, June and October of 2019, the week-long Changing Vision Changing Life Immersion Training is open for registration. This 6-day/5 night Immersion Training has returned to Enchanted Hills Retreat Center in Napa.

What is this Immersion all about? Truly, it is about bringing peers together for learning, support, encouragement and moving forward. Each training brings together over a dozen adults ranging in age from mid-20’s to 90’s from all over northern California and the Central Valley who are new to low vision or blindness and have not had the opportunity to begin to embrace their journey of developing key foundational blind and low vision skills and, become acquainted with the information, resources and vibrant and supportive peer community. Over the past seven years CVCL has provided a venue and opportunity for over 250 students to jump-start the life they want to lead with confidence and competence. Each Immersion Week is purposefully planned for no more than 16 students so that small group learning and personal discovery can take place.

What skills and learning takes place? CVCL is a gateway for understanding the journey of skill and personal development students need to return to work, school and life. While we know that everything cannot be learned in 6-days, CVCL provides each student a full week of ‘learning appetizers which feature developing foundational skills and information in the areas of home management (cooking basics, organization and labeling skills), mobility, access technology, accessing print and most of all, peer support. Over the years we have listened to our students. Many students don’t know what choices they have, but also what decisions and commitments they will need to make as they desire to be successful in work, school and daily life. During the Immersion week we hope to provide each student the choices for jumping on a path to confidence, competence and independence. While gaining basic skills and confidence with changing vision is the overall theme of the week, the experience of coming together with other adults who are low vision or blind to learn or relearn skills, remains the most pivotal impact of the week long experience.

Successful immersion learning is the consequential participation of learning or re-learning skills in everyday-life situations, simply put, learning and thinking by doing. Throughout the week students are introduced to skills, strategies and tools that can transfer from home to school to work, from sun up to sundown. Each day is full. All learning happens in small and large groups from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and for those who want to get started even earlier, every morning starts with Yoga for All Abilities at 7:30am.

The majority of our teachers, facilitators and mentors are blind/low vision, and all have over 10 years personal and/or teaching experience with blindness. Our expectations are that each student has come to immerse themselves in learning new ways to accomplish familiar life activities with like-minded peers. It is an experience which is supportive, motivational, and fun! We are transparent though, the week is very active and can also feel overwhelming, intense and somewhat rigorous, because for many, much of the training and concepts are new. We are there to support you. And throughout the week, ‘time-out’ is provided for students to share their personal experiences with each other, gaining insight, perspective and support for moving forward. This week is for blind and low vision people who want to return to work, school and engage in life. The upcoming CVCL Weeks are developed to give students this focus. Specifically, the March and October CVCL Immersion weeks will be geared to persons who have the goal of employment. While many of the foundational skills will be introduced, students will also have the opportunity to meet students who have been successful in training and securing employment. Our June Immersion, will be open to all adults who are new to blindness and low vision, your goal is simply to want to jump back into life equipped with foundational skills and information!

Here are the upcoming 2019 Changing Vision, Changing Life Immersion dates:
Session #1: March 24 – 29, Last day to register, March 18. Employment focused students only – Napa location
Session #2: June 2 – 7, Last day to register, May 24. Napa location
Session #3: October 13 -18, Last day to register, October 14. Employment focused students only – Napa location

Please note, Sessions will be cancelled if registration falls below 10 students.
What is the fee for the week? The cost for the week is $1300 and $100 for transportation from San Francisco, Berkeley, San Rafael or Eureka. In addition to all of the learning and connection that takes place, the cost includes shared accommodations and three healthy and delicious meals/day. A pre-registration deposit of $100 is due at the time of acceptance to the Immersion Training. This deposit is fully refundable if cancellation is made within 5 days of the start date of training. Limited scholarships will be made available to students who are not consumers with the Department of Rehailitation or the VA and are 55 years and older living in the counties of Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity and San Mateo.
To Register? All students must complete a Registration Intake and Assessment to ensure this training program is the best fit for your skills and interests.
Questions and Referrals from the California State Department of Rehabilitation or the Veterans Administration can be made directly to one of the staff listed below. We do request that all interested students are in good health and have the overall stamina to participate in full days of training walking throughout our Napa site which includes walking short grades and small hills.
Contact one of our staff in your area to start the registration process:
Debbie Bacon, Rehabilitation Counselor, San Francisco Headquarters: 415-694-7357 or dbacon@lighthouse-sf.org
Jeff Carlson, Social Worker, LightHouse of Marin: 415-258-8496 or jcarlson@lighthouse-sf.org
Janet Pomerantz, Social Worker, LightHouse of the North Coast, Eureka: 707-268-5646 or jpomerantz@lighthouse-sf.org

Oct 17(1 event)

(All day): Changing Vision, Changing Life (CVCL)

(All day)
Oct 13 Oct 18

Changing Vision Changing Life, Immersion Training In March, June and October of 2019, the week-long Changing Vision Changing Life Immersion Training is open for registration. This 6-day/5 night Immersion Training has returned to Enchanted Hills Retreat Center in Napa.

What is this Immersion all about? Truly, it is about bringing peers together for learning, support, encouragement and moving forward. Each training brings together over a dozen adults ranging in age from mid-20’s to 90’s from all over northern California and the Central Valley who are new to low vision or blindness and have not had the opportunity to begin to embrace their journey of developing key foundational blind and low vision skills and, become acquainted with the information, resources and vibrant and supportive peer community. Over the past seven years CVCL has provided a venue and opportunity for over 250 students to jump-start the life they want to lead with confidence and competence. Each Immersion Week is purposefully planned for no more than 16 students so that small group learning and personal discovery can take place.

What skills and learning takes place? CVCL is a gateway for understanding the journey of skill and personal development students need to return to work, school and life. While we know that everything cannot be learned in 6-days, CVCL provides each student a full week of ‘learning appetizers which feature developing foundational skills and information in the areas of home management (cooking basics, organization and labeling skills), mobility, access technology, accessing print and most of all, peer support. Over the years we have listened to our students. Many students don’t know what choices they have, but also what decisions and commitments they will need to make as they desire to be successful in work, school and daily life. During the Immersion week we hope to provide each student the choices for jumping on a path to confidence, competence and independence. While gaining basic skills and confidence with changing vision is the overall theme of the week, the experience of coming together with other adults who are low vision or blind to learn or relearn skills, remains the most pivotal impact of the week long experience.

Successful immersion learning is the consequential participation of learning or re-learning skills in everyday-life situations, simply put, learning and thinking by doing. Throughout the week students are introduced to skills, strategies and tools that can transfer from home to school to work, from sun up to sundown. Each day is full. All learning happens in small and large groups from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and for those who want to get started even earlier, every morning starts with Yoga for All Abilities at 7:30am.

The majority of our teachers, facilitators and mentors are blind/low vision, and all have over 10 years personal and/or teaching experience with blindness. Our expectations are that each student has come to immerse themselves in learning new ways to accomplish familiar life activities with like-minded peers. It is an experience which is supportive, motivational, and fun! We are transparent though, the week is very active and can also feel overwhelming, intense and somewhat rigorous, because for many, much of the training and concepts are new. We are there to support you. And throughout the week, ‘time-out’ is provided for students to share their personal experiences with each other, gaining insight, perspective and support for moving forward. This week is for blind and low vision people who want to return to work, school and engage in life. The upcoming CVCL Weeks are developed to give students this focus. Specifically, the March and October CVCL Immersion weeks will be geared to persons who have the goal of employment. While many of the foundational skills will be introduced, students will also have the opportunity to meet students who have been successful in training and securing employment. Our June Immersion, will be open to all adults who are new to blindness and low vision, your goal is simply to want to jump back into life equipped with foundational skills and information!

Here are the upcoming 2019 Changing Vision, Changing Life Immersion dates:
Session #1: March 24 – 29, Last day to register, March 18. Employment focused students only – Napa location
Session #2: June 2 – 7, Last day to register, May 24. Napa location
Session #3: October 13 -18, Last day to register, October 14. Employment focused students only – Napa location

Please note, Sessions will be cancelled if registration falls below 10 students.
What is the fee for the week? The cost for the week is $1300 and $100 for transportation from San Francisco, Berkeley, San Rafael or Eureka. In addition to all of the learning and connection that takes place, the cost includes shared accommodations and three healthy and delicious meals/day. A pre-registration deposit of $100 is due at the time of acceptance to the Immersion Training. This deposit is fully refundable if cancellation is made within 5 days of the start date of training. Limited scholarships will be made available to students who are not consumers with the Department of Rehailitation or the VA and are 55 years and older living in the counties of Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity and San Mateo.
To Register? All students must complete a Registration Intake and Assessment to ensure this training program is the best fit for your skills and interests.
Questions and Referrals from the California State Department of Rehabilitation or the Veterans Administration can be made directly to one of the staff listed below. We do request that all interested students are in good health and have the overall stamina to participate in full days of training walking throughout our Napa site which includes walking short grades and small hills.
Contact one of our staff in your area to start the registration process:
Debbie Bacon, Rehabilitation Counselor, San Francisco Headquarters: 415-694-7357 or dbacon@lighthouse-sf.org
Jeff Carlson, Social Worker, LightHouse of Marin: 415-258-8496 or jcarlson@lighthouse-sf.org
Janet Pomerantz, Social Worker, LightHouse of the North Coast, Eureka: 707-268-5646 or jpomerantz@lighthouse-sf.org

Oct 18(1 event)

(All day): Changing Vision, Changing Life (CVCL)

(All day)
Oct 13 Oct 18

Changing Vision Changing Life, Immersion Training In March, June and October of 2019, the week-long Changing Vision Changing Life Immersion Training is open for registration. This 6-day/5 night Immersion Training has returned to Enchanted Hills Retreat Center in Napa.

What is this Immersion all about? Truly, it is about bringing peers together for learning, support, encouragement and moving forward. Each training brings together over a dozen adults ranging in age from mid-20’s to 90’s from all over northern California and the Central Valley who are new to low vision or blindness and have not had the opportunity to begin to embrace their journey of developing key foundational blind and low vision skills and, become acquainted with the information, resources and vibrant and supportive peer community. Over the past seven years CVCL has provided a venue and opportunity for over 250 students to jump-start the life they want to lead with confidence and competence. Each Immersion Week is purposefully planned for no more than 16 students so that small group learning and personal discovery can take place.

What skills and learning takes place? CVCL is a gateway for understanding the journey of skill and personal development students need to return to work, school and life. While we know that everything cannot be learned in 6-days, CVCL provides each student a full week of ‘learning appetizers which feature developing foundational skills and information in the areas of home management (cooking basics, organization and labeling skills), mobility, access technology, accessing print and most of all, peer support. Over the years we have listened to our students. Many students don’t know what choices they have, but also what decisions and commitments they will need to make as they desire to be successful in work, school and daily life. During the Immersion week we hope to provide each student the choices for jumping on a path to confidence, competence and independence. While gaining basic skills and confidence with changing vision is the overall theme of the week, the experience of coming together with other adults who are low vision or blind to learn or relearn skills, remains the most pivotal impact of the week long experience.

Successful immersion learning is the consequential participation of learning or re-learning skills in everyday-life situations, simply put, learning and thinking by doing. Throughout the week students are introduced to skills, strategies and tools that can transfer from home to school to work, from sun up to sundown. Each day is full. All learning happens in small and large groups from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and for those who want to get started even earlier, every morning starts with Yoga for All Abilities at 7:30am.

The majority of our teachers, facilitators and mentors are blind/low vision, and all have over 10 years personal and/or teaching experience with blindness. Our expectations are that each student has come to immerse themselves in learning new ways to accomplish familiar life activities with like-minded peers. It is an experience which is supportive, motivational, and fun! We are transparent though, the week is very active and can also feel overwhelming, intense and somewhat rigorous, because for many, much of the training and concepts are new. We are there to support you. And throughout the week, ‘time-out’ is provided for students to share their personal experiences with each other, gaining insight, perspective and support for moving forward. This week is for blind and low vision people who want to return to work, school and engage in life. The upcoming CVCL Weeks are developed to give students this focus. Specifically, the March and October CVCL Immersion weeks will be geared to persons who have the goal of employment. While many of the foundational skills will be introduced, students will also have the opportunity to meet students who have been successful in training and securing employment. Our June Immersion, will be open to all adults who are new to blindness and low vision, your goal is simply to want to jump back into life equipped with foundational skills and information!

Here are the upcoming 2019 Changing Vision, Changing Life Immersion dates:
Session #1: March 24 – 29, Last day to register, March 18. Employment focused students only – Napa location
Session #2: June 2 – 7, Last day to register, May 24. Napa location
Session #3: October 13 -18, Last day to register, October 14. Employment focused students only – Napa location

Please note, Sessions will be cancelled if registration falls below 10 students.
What is the fee for the week? The cost for the week is $1300 and $100 for transportation from San Francisco, Berkeley, San Rafael or Eureka. In addition to all of the learning and connection that takes place, the cost includes shared accommodations and three healthy and delicious meals/day. A pre-registration deposit of $100 is due at the time of acceptance to the Immersion Training. This deposit is fully refundable if cancellation is made within 5 days of the start date of training. Limited scholarships will be made available to students who are not consumers with the Department of Rehailitation or the VA and are 55 years and older living in the counties of Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity and San Mateo.
To Register? All students must complete a Registration Intake and Assessment to ensure this training program is the best fit for your skills and interests.
Questions and Referrals from the California State Department of Rehabilitation or the Veterans Administration can be made directly to one of the staff listed below. We do request that all interested students are in good health and have the overall stamina to participate in full days of training walking throughout our Napa site which includes walking short grades and small hills.
Contact one of our staff in your area to start the registration process:
Debbie Bacon, Rehabilitation Counselor, San Francisco Headquarters: 415-694-7357 or dbacon@lighthouse-sf.org
Jeff Carlson, Social Worker, LightHouse of Marin: 415-258-8496 or jcarlson@lighthouse-sf.org
Janet Pomerantz, Social Worker, LightHouse of the North Coast, Eureka: 707-268-5646 or jpomerantz@lighthouse-sf.org

Oct 19(1 event)

1:00 pm: Katie's Kitchen


Oct 19

Katie's Kitchen
2nd Saturdays, 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. (except this month)
November: Pumpkin Bars

Channeling her experience preparing desserts for birthday parties, social gatherings, and intimate wedding receptions, Katie Phan guides you through the how-to's of blind baking on a journey through pastries, breads, cakes, pies, and all things delightful to the palate. She can keep it sweet and sinful or guide you on how to make adjustments for happier, healthier alternative treats. Note that there are two schedule options for the same class each month--attendance at both is not required. To RSVP, contact Adult Program Coordinator Serena Olsen at solsen@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7316.

Oct 20
Oct 21(1 event)

9:30 am: Sensory Development for Independent Travel


Oct 21

Sensory Development for Independent Travel

On April 8, 2019, the LighHouse Training Department will host a new class: Sensory Development for Independent Travel. The class facilitator, Sarah McIntyre, Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Specialist, will focus on auditory development and exploration of different types of canes and cane tips.
What will you learn? Sarah will introduce auditory training, including sound identification, localization and alignment; judging distances using sound; and beginning echolocation. These skills are vital to confident and efficient travel as an individual who is blind or low vision, especially in unfamiliar environments. Students wanting to develop the confidence and efficiency in transitioning from a visually-dependent traveler to an independent traveler applying additional sensory skills for travel are encouraged to register.
The class will be held at the LightHouse for the Blind Headquarters in the Fitness Room, 1155 Market Street from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. There will be a one hour break for lunch, students should plan to bring their own lunch. To ensure effective student-to-instructor ratio, attendance is limited.
Participation Eligibility Criteria: This class is specifically designed for students who have been totally (or near totally) blind from birth (or a very young age) and, who have had a minimum of 6 hours of O&M training (please bring your cane with you). Students with known or suspected hearing loss are eligible and may benefit substantially from the program. The cost of the class is $150.00. DOR, VA and Regional Center Counselors who are interested in referring a consumer, please send authorizations to the LightHouse at 1referral@lighthouse-sf.org. Partial scholarship funding may be available for non-Department of Rehabilitation (DOR)/ Veterans Administration VIST Program/Regional Center students age 55+ (living in the counties of San Francisco, Alameda, San Mateo, Contra Costa or Marin). For those eligible, there is a $20 fee that must be paid prior to the class. This fee is only refundable with a 48-hour cancellation prior to the class start. Please contact Briana at bkusuma@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7335 to sign up for the class and let her know if you will be receiving an authorization from your counselor to participate, or you are seeking eligibility for partial scholarship. The registration deadline is April 4th. If you are unable to attend this workshop, upcoming workshop dates for 2019 include: June 17, August 13, and October 21.

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Nov 1(1 event)

12:00 pm: Giving Blood, Giving Life: Bay Area Blind Community's Day of Giving Blood Drive


Nov 1

The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.
Join the LightHouse community in giving back by giving blood. To schedule your appointment or for more information visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: DayOfGiving or call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) If you have questions regarding your eligibility to donate blood, or have traveled in the past year, please call 1-866-236-3276. This event is co-sponsored by LightHouse for the Blind and Red Cross of America.

Nov 2

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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