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DOR

Join us for a Department of Rehabilitation Info Session for Middle and High School Youth

10/27/2020 LightHouse Staff

Leap into Success Now: Opening the Door to Adult Life

Calling all middle and high school youth who are blind or have low vision and their families. Have you wondered what comes next after high school? Where can you get accessible training and equipment for work, college, or essential living skills? Well wonder no more and attend a presentation from Disability Rights California (DRC) and the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) on how to get a head start on your future and build on your strengths. You can also learn about programs that may be available in collaboration with the Department of Rehabilitation for your journey to adult life. There will be time after the presentation to speak with knowledgeable LightHouse staff and mentors who are blind or have a low vision regarding your individual situation.

What: Youth Employment Services (YES) Leap into Success Now! Opening the Door to Adult Life

When: Wednesday, November 4 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

This is a unique opportunity to get all your questions from DOR and DRC answered including:

1. What services does DOR provide to students?
2. What is the DOR, WorkAbility, and College2Career?
3. Am I eligible to sign up with the DOR?
4. What types of supports, equipment, and training can the DOR provide for me?
5. What are my rights and responsibilities when working with different agencies such as the DOR, my school, or college?
6. If I am interested in signing up, how can I get started?

If you have any questions or would like to join us for the presentation, please contact Ann Wai-Yee Kwong, Transition Program Specialist at AKwong@lighthouse-sf.org or by phone or text at 415-484-8377. RSVP by Monday, November 2.

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Video: Meet Braille Skateboarding’s First Blind Employee

09/07/2017 LightHouse Staff

In 2013, Alex Harding moved to the US from Sierra Leone, by himself, with only a $100 bill in his pocket.

Alex was young, but full of curiosity and a desire to learn and grow in the US job market. Still, as a person with low vision, Alex was at a disadvantage. As his vision changed, it became a struggle to show employers that he could work. In 2016, he signed up for the LightHouse’s Employment Immersion Program, and today he manages the facility of one of the web’s most popular skateboarding brands, Braille Skateboarding.

This is his story.

Braille Skateboarding is a tenant of LightHouse for the Blind at the Sirkin Center in San Leandro. We established a rental agreement with Braille Skateboarding because of their commitment to employ blind people like Alex.

If you’re blind, have low vision or have just experienced a change in vision and you want to gain the skills and confidence to jump back into the working world, we have a new four-week program just for you. To sign up, email Angela Denise Davis at adavis@lighthouse-sf.org or contact your local Department of Rehabilitation counselor and ask to be enrolled.

LightHouse News

Get Ready for the School Year: Parent and Student Workshop on August 27 [postponed]

07/28/2016 LightHouse Staff

Note: this event has been postponed. For questions, contact jgump@lighthouse-sf.org.

Join LightHouse students, parents and teachers for a day-long workshop aimed at helping blind students and their families be more prepared for the coming school year and beyond.

The day will start with a panel of students, parents and teachers who will speak about challenges that specifically affect blind students, such as how to make sure handouts are available in accessible formats and ideas on how parents can help their children with their homework.

Next youth and adults will break into separate groups. Parents and teachers will focus on topics such as Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), the role Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) plays in their child’s education and extra-curricular options for youth who are blind. Students will also learn about how DOR works, discuss transitioning to college, living skills and the importance of balancing work and play.

The day will wrap-up with an opportunity for families to get to know one another.

Who: Families with at least one youth under 18 and at least one family member of any age who is blind or has low vision.
When: Saturday, August 27, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Where: LightHouse Building, 1155 Market St., 10th Floor, San Francisco, 94103
Waiver: Each youth participant must fill out and submit a LightHouse Youth Program Application if they have not done so already.

If you would like more information or to RSVP for this event please contact Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator, at 415-694-7372 or by email at jgump@lighthouse-sf.org by Wednesday August 24.