Calendar

Events in October 2019

  • Learn More About Better Market Street

    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.

    "

  • YES Weekend - Soaring Futures: Career Exploration and Travel at SFO

    YES Weekend - Soaring Futures: Career Exploration and Travel at SFO


    Oct 11 Oct 13

    Youth Employment Series (YES)
    Soaring Futures: Career Exploration and Travel at SFO

    In October, join the LightHouse Youth Employment Series, YES, and workshop celebrating White Cane and National Disability Employment Awareness as transition-age youth engage in career exploration at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Gainful employment and effective use of mobility tools are critical to pursuing self-confidence, personal satisfaction, economic empowerment, and disability talent development. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience an interactive visit and discover career paths at SFO, to be challenged in confidence building outings, and to collaborate with one another in engaging activities throughout the weekend in preparation for life post high school/college. YES workshops are monthly weekend-long learning experiences emphasizing the vocational enrichment of low vision and blind youth, increasing and providing access to a multifaceted array of mentorship, employment readiness skills, and alternative accessible techniques.

    The YES Workshop in October will provide students with the tools to obtain information on career pathways in both the public and private sectors, to create a disability disclosure and advocacy plan for work and school, to learn and improve mobility and independent travel skills, as well as to refine their interpersonal skills (soft-skills). The weekend is spent learning from blind and low vision mentors and engaging in creative hands-on activities which further support youth to explore and achieve their individualized and professional aspirations.

    Workshop Learning Objectives:
    1. Participants will expand their understanding of rights and responsibilities as blind and low vision individuals as they explore and create personalized disability disclosure and advocacy plans for school and work.
    2. Transition age youth will acquire information on employment opportunities in both public and private industries from administration and management to retail and customer service.
    3. Students will build their confidence in orientation and mobility as they collaborate with their peers to plan, prepare for, execute, and reflect on a group excursion.
    4. The over-night nature of the YES workshop provides opportunities for students to refine their workplace readiness soft skills including effective social and professional communication and independent living all while building community with their blind and low vision peers and mentors.

    If you are interested in participating in the October YES Weekend Workshop, please:
    1. Contact your Department of Rehabilitation counselor to discuss workshop attendance and authorization.
    2. Confirm attendance with Ann Wai-Yee Kwong, Transition Program Specialist, by email at youth@lighthouse-sf.org or by phone at 415-694-7328.

    If you have any questions or would like to pay for your participation in the workshop, please contact youth@lighthouse-sf.org. Each workshop costs $950 to attend for the entire weekend. Please note, space for this program is limited and workshop attendance must be confirmed one week prior.
    "

  • YES Weekend - Soaring Futures: Career Exploration and Travel at SFO

    YES Weekend - Soaring Futures: Career Exploration and Travel at SFO


    Oct 11 Oct 13

    Youth Employment Series (YES)
    Soaring Futures: Career Exploration and Travel at SFO

    In October, join the LightHouse Youth Employment Series, YES, and workshop celebrating White Cane and National Disability Employment Awareness as transition-age youth engage in career exploration at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Gainful employment and effective use of mobility tools are critical to pursuing self-confidence, personal satisfaction, economic empowerment, and disability talent development. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience an interactive visit and discover career paths at SFO, to be challenged in confidence building outings, and to collaborate with one another in engaging activities throughout the weekend in preparation for life post high school/college. YES workshops are monthly weekend-long learning experiences emphasizing the vocational enrichment of low vision and blind youth, increasing and providing access to a multifaceted array of mentorship, employment readiness skills, and alternative accessible techniques.

    The YES Workshop in October will provide students with the tools to obtain information on career pathways in both the public and private sectors, to create a disability disclosure and advocacy plan for work and school, to learn and improve mobility and independent travel skills, as well as to refine their interpersonal skills (soft-skills). The weekend is spent learning from blind and low vision mentors and engaging in creative hands-on activities which further support youth to explore and achieve their individualized and professional aspirations.

    Workshop Learning Objectives:
    1. Participants will expand their understanding of rights and responsibilities as blind and low vision individuals as they explore and create personalized disability disclosure and advocacy plans for school and work.
    2. Transition age youth will acquire information on employment opportunities in both public and private industries from administration and management to retail and customer service.
    3. Students will build their confidence in orientation and mobility as they collaborate with their peers to plan, prepare for, execute, and reflect on a group excursion.
    4. The over-night nature of the YES workshop provides opportunities for students to refine their workplace readiness soft skills including effective social and professional communication and independent living all while building community with their blind and low vision peers and mentors.

    If you are interested in participating in the October YES Weekend Workshop, please:
    1. Contact your Department of Rehabilitation counselor to discuss workshop attendance and authorization.
    2. Confirm attendance with Ann Wai-Yee Kwong, Transition Program Specialist, by email at youth@lighthouse-sf.org or by phone at 415-694-7328.

    If you have any questions or would like to pay for your participation in the workshop, please contact youth@lighthouse-sf.org. Each workshop costs $950 to attend for the entire weekend. Please note, space for this program is limited and workshop attendance must be confirmed one week prior.
    "

    Superfest Disability Film Festival

    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

  • YES Weekend - Soaring Futures: Career Exploration and Travel at SFO

    YES Weekend - Soaring Futures: Career Exploration and Travel at SFO


    Oct 11 Oct 13

    Youth Employment Series (YES)
    Soaring Futures: Career Exploration and Travel at SFO

    In October, join the LightHouse Youth Employment Series, YES, and workshop celebrating White Cane and National Disability Employment Awareness as transition-age youth engage in career exploration at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Gainful employment and effective use of mobility tools are critical to pursuing self-confidence, personal satisfaction, economic empowerment, and disability talent development. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience an interactive visit and discover career paths at SFO, to be challenged in confidence building outings, and to collaborate with one another in engaging activities throughout the weekend in preparation for life post high school/college. YES workshops are monthly weekend-long learning experiences emphasizing the vocational enrichment of low vision and blind youth, increasing and providing access to a multifaceted array of mentorship, employment readiness skills, and alternative accessible techniques.

    The YES Workshop in October will provide students with the tools to obtain information on career pathways in both the public and private sectors, to create a disability disclosure and advocacy plan for work and school, to learn and improve mobility and independent travel skills, as well as to refine their interpersonal skills (soft-skills). The weekend is spent learning from blind and low vision mentors and engaging in creative hands-on activities which further support youth to explore and achieve their individualized and professional aspirations.

    Workshop Learning Objectives:
    1. Participants will expand their understanding of rights and responsibilities as blind and low vision individuals as they explore and create personalized disability disclosure and advocacy plans for school and work.
    2. Transition age youth will acquire information on employment opportunities in both public and private industries from administration and management to retail and customer service.
    3. Students will build their confidence in orientation and mobility as they collaborate with their peers to plan, prepare for, execute, and reflect on a group excursion.
    4. The over-night nature of the YES workshop provides opportunities for students to refine their workplace readiness soft skills including effective social and professional communication and independent living all while building community with their blind and low vision peers and mentors.

    If you are interested in participating in the October YES Weekend Workshop, please:
    1. Contact your Department of Rehabilitation counselor to discuss workshop attendance and authorization.
    2. Confirm attendance with Ann Wai-Yee Kwong, Transition Program Specialist, by email at youth@lighthouse-sf.org or by phone at 415-694-7328.

    If you have any questions or would like to pay for your participation in the workshop, please contact youth@lighthouse-sf.org. Each workshop costs $950 to attend for the entire weekend. Please note, space for this program is limited and workshop attendance must be confirmed one week prior.
    "

    Changing Vision, Changing Life (CVCL)

    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

    Superfest Disability Film Festival

    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

  • Changing Vision, Changing Life (CVCL)

    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

  • Changing Vision, Changing Life (CVCL)

    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

    Celebrate White Cane Safety Day with SF Mayor London Breed

    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.

  • Changing Vision, Changing Life (CVCL)

    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

  • Changing Vision, Changing Life (CVCL)

    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

  • Changing Vision, Changing Life (CVCL)

    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

  • Youth Extreme Recreation Adventure: Master of the Maze

    Youth Extreme Recreation Adventure: Master of the Maze


    Oct 19

    Youth Extreme Recreation Adventure: Master of the Maze
    Saturday, October 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

    During the 2019-2020 school year, the LightHouse's Youth Program will be hosting monthly extreme recreation activities and adventures for youth that are blind or have low vision. Those that sign up for these monthly outings will have opportunities to make new friends, meet mentors and develop life skills that will help them be successful in other aspects of life - all while enjoying the wonderful recreation options that the Bay Area and surrounding areas have to offer.

    During our October adventure we will head to Livermore for some Halloween fun. We will gather at G&M Farms at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 19, where we will start our day with a corn maze. After we find our way through the corn maze we will gather for a picnic lunch before an epic hunt for the perfect pumpkin. Students that are low vision or blind of all ages and their immediate family are encouraged to join us in costume as there will be a costume contest during our lunch.

    Who: low vision and blind youth of all ages and their immediate family members
    What: Halloween Festivities, Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch
    When: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 19
    Where: G&M Farms @ 487 East Airway Blvd, Livermore CA 94551
    Cost: LightHouse will pay for entry and corn maze fee however, we encourage students to bring additional money if they wish to purchase a pumpkin to take home
    What to bring: water bottle, warm layers of clothes and a bag lunch for a picnic

    If you wish to RSVP or have any questions about this outing, please contact Jamey Gump by Friday, October 18 by phone at (415)694-7372 or by email at jgump@lighthouse-sf.org.

    Katie's Kitchen

    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.

  • Sensory Development for Independent Travel

    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.

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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