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LightHouse programs

LightHouse Community Services Programs to Hold Weekend Retreat at EHC

10/10/2022 LightHouse Staff

Three retreats are being held simultaneously at Enchanted Hills Camp the weekend of November 11 through 13.

Sensing the Seasons: EHC’s Fall Nature Retreat

Our always popular Sensing the Seasons Nature Education retreat returns. This session is open to blind and low vision high school students and recent high school graduates. This time around, we’ll focus on how fall effects the plants, animals, and landscape of the camp and how we sense these changes. From our taste, to smell and even how things feel, fall brings many changes to camp. You’ll learn not only how to sense the changes, but also why they happen.

Cost: $50 for transportation. Thanks to the San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services for providing additional funding for this program.

To RSVP, contact Jamey Gump at youth@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7372 no later than November 4.

Youth Employment Services Weekend Workshop: Accessing Advocacy

Youth Employment Services, or YES, is our program for transition-aged youth to learn skills needed for employment and post-secondary education. This program is for blind and low vision students between the ages of 16 and 22.

Daisy Soto, Youth Services Coordinator, describes the retreat: “YES students will spend the weekend hearing from blind and low vision mentors and professionals regarding advocacy in college and the workplace. They will learn about blindness advocacy organizations and get a chance to put their skills to use during interactive activities designed to increase their confidence with many of the new situations we will discuss.”

To learn more and RSVP: Please contact Daisy Soto at DSoto@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7328 no later than November 4. Please note: You will need a Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) authorization or alternate funding source to attend this program.

Weekend Writers’ Workshop Retreat

Are you a blind or low vision adult who loves to write? Then why not share your weekend and your story with other storytellers. Write about a challenge you’ve faced and how facing that challenge transformed you. Discover your own determination and confidence. People who are confident in themselves are better equipped to help others.

Cost: $200 for the weekend. Thanks to the San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services for providing additional funding for this program.

RSVP to Sabrina Bolus at SBolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7607 no later than November 4.

Transportation for all three programs

Round-trip transportation to EHC will be provided from the Ed Roberts Campus at 3075 Adeline St. in Berkeley. The shuttle to EHC departs at 1:00 pm on November 11 and returns to Ed Roberts Campus at 1:00 pm on November 13.

As a bonus for the weekend: There will be time for attendees of all three programs to mix and mingle with each other. We look forward to having you join us at EHC this November.

LightHouse News

LightHouse Staffer Katt Jones on Developing “Your Personal Safety” Workshops. Final workshop is October 16

10/13/2021 LightHouse Staff

This summer LightHouse partnered up with a personal safety instructor from Savannah, Georgia, George Freeman, to bring the LightHouse community and their families specially designed virtual accessible workshops called Your Personal Safety: Getting Back to Normal. The final workshop will be held Saturday, October 16.

LightHouse Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Specialist, Katt Jones, was a major advocate for the class and played a significant role in coordinating and scheduling this workshop series along with other LightHouse staff. We talked to them about their experience organizing and participating in these workshops.

“This workshop series was created from LightHouse’s BIDE Task Force which stands for Belonging, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity.”

BIDE is focused on implementing BIDE for LightHouse staff, students and the community. Some issues the task force are addressing include pay equity, glass ceilings and ensuring students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds can access LightHouse programs.

Katt Jones continues:

“During the first meeting of the task force, we discussed how many of our students were not feeling safe going outside. They might be afraid of COVID, or they might lack confidence in their travel skills due to having to shelter in place for so long. There were concerns of anti-Asian violence that has been increasing in the United States that is disproportionately impacting Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities. Working with George Freeman while coordinating this workshop series has been lots of fun. He has a long history of teaching safety and self-defense, so he is a wealth of knowledge. George also has an infectious sense of humor that gets me cracking up during all of our planning meetings and workshops.”

We also asked Katt some additional questions:

What was the level of participation in the first two workshops?

“We had around 70 participants in the first workshop and around 30 participants in the second. Most of the students found out about Personal Safety: Getting Back to Normal through participating in other LightHouse community service adult programs or from having O&M training. In the first workshop we got a lot of amazing questions, stories, and feedback from students about their safety concerns. The second workshop was mostly a lecture format to do a deeper dive in topics from the first workshop including de-escalation and boundary setting strategies. There are no requirements to join these workshops, so if a student has not participated in the previous classes, they are absolutely welcome to join the October 16 class.”

What can students expect from the workshop?

“The third workshop will be a Q&A format with a panel of safety experts from the Strive 4 You SEED program. This is a program George Freeman is a part of. This will be a great opportunity for people to ask questions and learn as much as they can in this interactive format.”

What feedback have you received from students in the previous classes?

“I have received a lot of positive feedback from students from both previous workshops. Students are eager to get back out into the world after being afraid to leave their homes due to the pandemic or fear of violence, but they are craving safety skills. Many of our students are interested in pursuing self-defense classes and hands-on training if it is available.”

What have you taken away from this experience, both as a program coordinator and as a participant?

“I think the most important thing I have learned is how hungry our students are for this information. They want to feel safe moving through the world and empowered to handle difficult situations and help others around them.”

In the future Katt hopes to hold another series of workshops, whether virtual or in-person, but for now, this is your last chance to attend a Personal Safety workshop.

Join Katt, George, other instructors and students on Saturday, October 16 from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm Pacific. RSVP to Personal Safety: Getting Back to Normal. If you have any questions regarding preparation for the workshop you may email Katt Jones at KJones@lighthouse-sf.org. If you have any other questions about the workshop or need assistance RSVPing, please contact Jaclyne Atoigue at JAtoigue@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7618.

LightHouse News

New to Blindness? Learn essential skills with a virtual Edition of Changing Vision Changing Life

09/03/2021 LightHouse Staff

Changing Vision Changing Life (CVCL) is for those who are new to blindness or low vision and want to get a full overview of the essential training that will be beneficial for work, home, school and life. Students will be with a cohort of up to ten peers. CVCL starts with a day of thinking and grows into a week of learning, connecting and doing. This one-week course runs every day with all classes on Zoom.

In addition to the week of training, there will be an Orientation Session Friday, September 17 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and a follow-up meetup on Friday October 1, from 10:00 am to noon after the conclusion of the course. During the training week of September 20 to 24, there are three, two-hour learning sessions every day. Each day of training begins at 10:00 am and ends at 5:00 pm with breaks for lunch and dinner. The exception is Friday, September 24 which begins at 9:30 am and ends at 1:00 pm. Time for student discussion and other relevant topics will be facilitated Monday through Thursday after each afternoon class. Optional chair yoga will be available Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 9:45 am to get your day started

This week-long course is designed for adults who desire a deep introduction to independent living through travel (Orientation & Mobility), Access Technology, and Independent Living Skills. It’s also for those who want a venue to have rich discussion with peers and our professional staff about the opportunity and choices that are ahead. Everyone will receive a packet of materials to enhance learning throughout the week and we will end the week with a morning cooking session (in students’ own kitchens) and lunch together.

Because one of the main purposes of this course is to connect with others who are new to blindness or low vision, we request that all students make a commitment to participate in all sessions including the CVCL Orientation and CVCL Post-Course Meetup. Please note, you do not have to have a computer to participate via Zoom, but you must have a reliable speaker phone (smart phone or landline) to participate and call in. Our tech trainer will provide training before the course to make the Zoom experience smooth.

Cost

The fee to participate in this training is $825 and $140 for course materials that will be sent to you prior to September 20. There are options to pay for the course if you are a consumer of Vocational Rehabilitation or 55 or older.

If you are a consumer of Vocational Rehabilitation, in California or any other state, you will need an authorization from your Rehabilitation Counselor to participate in CVCL.

If you are not with Vocational Rehabilitation and you are age 55 and older, and living in the counties of San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Humboldt, Del Norte or Trinity, there may be partial scholarship funding for training and course materials.

CVCL Full Schedule

CVCL Orientation Session: Friday, September 17 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
CVCL: Monday, September 20 through Thursday September 23 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Friday, September 24 from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm
CVCL Optional Morning Chair Yoga: Tuesday, September 21 through Thursday, September 23 from 9:00 am top 9:45 am
Post-CVCL Meetup: Friday October 1, from 10:00 am to noon

Registration is required and the deadline to register is Tuesday, September 14, 2021. To register, please contact Debbie Bacon at DBacon@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7357 or Janet Pomerantz (Humboldt, Trinity and Del Norte residents) at JPomerantz@lighthouse-sf.org or 707-268-5646.

LightHouse News

Learn Blindness Skills Together at Changing Vision Changing Life

02/02/2021 LightHouse Staff

By Kathy Abrahamson, Director of Rehabilitation Services

Here’s a heads-up: many great things will happen on February 22 this year. It’s World Thinking Day, Walking the Dog Day, National Wildlife Day, and you can add one more to your calendar: the week-long Changing Vision Changing Life (CVCL) virtual program kicks off that day. This is where you can put yourself first in 2021.

CVCL is for those of you who are new to blindness or having low vision and who want to get a full overview of the essential training you will find beneficial for work, home, school and life. You’ll learn with a cohort of up to ten peers. CVCL starts with a day of thinking and grows into a week of learning, connecting and doing.

Classes run daily from February 22 through 26, all on the Zoom platform. We will take you through an orientation session Friday, February 19 and a post-CVCL meetup on Friday March 5. During the training week, there will be three, two-hour learning sessions daily, except Friday. Each day of training begins at 9:30 am and ends at 7:30 pm with breaks for lunch and dinner. For those of you who are truly morning people, there will be three mornings where you have the option to start your day even earlier with yoga class.

This week-long course is designed for adults who desire a deep introduction to independent living through travel (Orientation & Mobility), Access Technology, and Independent Living Skills. It’s also for those who want to have rich discussion with peers and LightHouse professional staff about the opportunity and choices that are ahead. Everyone will receive a packet of materials to enhance learning throughout the week and we will end the week with a morning cooking session (in your own kitchen) and lunch together. During our December 2020 class Vincent, who was one of our students, noted that after the week of training, he felt “buoyant” and was ready to move forward in his learning and connecting with others.

If you are a Consumer of Vocational Rehabilitation, in California or any other state, you will need an authorization from your Rehabilitation Counselor as there is a fee for the course. If you are not with Vocational Rehabilitation and you are age 55 and older, living in the counties of San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Humboldt, Del Norte or Trinity, there is no charge for instruction, however there is a materials fee of $40.

To participate, all students must be able to make a commitment to all sessions (including the pre-CVCL orientation and the post-CVCL meetup. You do not have to have a computer to participate via Zoom, but you must have a reliable speakerphone (smart phone or landline) to participate and call in.

What
Changing Vision Changing Life

When
February 19 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm – Orientation
February 22 through 26 from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm with lunch and dinner breaks – CVCL
March 5 from 10:00 am to noon – Post CVCL meetup

RSVP
Registration is required and the deadline to register is Tuesday, February 16, 2021. To register, please contact Debbie Bacon at DBacon@lighthouse-sf.org or Janet Pomerantz (Humboldt, Trinity and Del Norte county residents) at JPomerantz@lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

Wizardly Winter Reading with the Harry Potter Club for Youth

12/22/2020 LightHouse Staff

The holidays mean time off from school and a great way to pass that time is to read an awesome book. If you’re a youth who is blind or has low vision, who’s under 18 or still in high school, join us monthly for the Harry Potter Club, starting with our kickoff on January 2 at 1:00 pm.

Whether you’re new to Harry Potter, or an expert, this club is a great way to make new friends and debate that age-old question: Which is better, the book or the movie?

All through 2021, join LightHouse Youth Program Coordinator Jamey Gump and your fellow club members to chat the Harry Potter book you’ve read for that month, watch the corresponding movie and compare the two. Don’t have the books? You can get them for free in downloadable braille or audio format at the National Library Service, or audio through a Learning Ally subscription. You can also purchase retail versions of the audio books through places like Audible or iBooks.

During our kickoff party, we’ll have some fun Harry Potter themed games and a representative from the San Francisco Public Library’s Talking Books and Braille Center to talk about one way to access the books. Then February 6, we’ll watch Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

Here’s the full schedule. Please have each book read before the corresponding meeting.

January 2 – Club Kick-off Party!
February 6 – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
March 6 – Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
April 3 – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
May 1 – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
June, July & August – Summer Break
September – Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
October – Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
November 6 – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
December 4 – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Parents & Guardians: We’d love your help getting your children connected to our virtual program if they need it, however, once they have joined, we ask that you please give them the space to participate individually.

This club meets at 1:00 pm on the first Saturday of each month on Zoom. LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired does not support discriminatory or hateful speech in any form. We stand by the LGBTQ+ community and all fans who found a home in the Harry Potter series and will work to provide a safe space for fans.

RSVP to Jamey at youth@lighthouse-sf.org or by phone at 415-694-7372.

See you next year, and happy reading!

LightHouse News

Learn How to Maximize your Low Vision Skills in 2021

12/08/2020 LightHouse Staff 4 Comments

Having your vision change drastically at any age can be a difficult experience. When this occurs, many have been faced with the new challenges of not just understanding how their vision has changed, but also learning adaptive ways to continue to live their lives with the same independence as before.

Lighthouse has long taught students nonvisual skills and skills useful for people who have low vision, but this class takes a new innovative approach to using low vision.

LightHouse Orientation & Mobility instructor Gina de Grazia and Rehabilitation Teacher Dawn Leeflang know that with the right training, people can work through these challenges and thrive. This is why they’ve created a new virtual introductory program for adults called Low Vision Skills: Putting It All Together.

The program debuted in October for adult participants 55 and over. For two weeks they met on Zoom for two hours a day, twice a week. Gina explains some of the goals of the course and how upcoming sessions in 2021 is open to adults of all ages, including those who are clients of the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR).

“We want to provide students with strong foundational low vision skills that will maximize their safe and independent living skills. In future courses, when we are working with DOR students, we will be focused on skills that help with gaining and retaining employment.”

During the October course, students learned from University of California, Berkeley Low Vision Optometrist, Dr. Crystal Wang, about the changes in their vision, how to address the physicality of these changes, as well as techniques to work with any useable vision. Open discussions between Dr. Wang and the students provided an informative and supportive dialogue for the course participants. Students were also taught practical low vision skills for daily living, including a focus on both low and high-tech devices and tools by Certified Low Vision Therapists. Every topic discussed, and device, agency, or other assistive trainings referenced during the four sessions were compiled on a resource list for students at the end of the program, allowing students access to all the information they’ll need to continue their low vision education and support. Future sessions will have a similar structure.

Those sessions will occur in January, February and March of 2021 for adults of all ages. More information about each session will be provided in this newsletter as the dates approach. You can reach out to Gina at GDigrazia@lighthouse-sf.org at or Dawn at DLeeflang@lighthouse-sf.org with specific questions.

LightHouse News

New Perspectives, New Year, New LightHouse Support Group for Adults 55 and Over

11/03/2020 LightHouse Staff

It’s a challenging time for many, and if you’re 55 or over and new to blindness or having low vision, or your vision has changed significantly, you may be looking for a way to connect to other people going through the same thing.

This is the premise of New Perspectives, a six-week group offering education, support and resources for adults over 55 who are blind or have low vision.

The group will be facilitated by LightHouse Social Workers Janet Pomerantz and Jeff Carlson. Janet Pomerantz underscores what people will get out of the group.

“By participating in this group, people will begin to challenge some of the ideas that they may have about blindness and gain more confidence in their ability to remain independent. We will also practice advocacy, which is a lifelong skill for negotiating the world of being blind and having low vision. Consumers do not need any particular skill to participate, just a willingness to share and listen to others.”

What: New Perspectives

When: Tuesdays, January 5, 12, 19 & 26 and February 2 & 9 from 1:00 pm to 2:15 pm\

Who: Adults 55 and over who are new to blindness or having low vision, or whose vision has changed significantly.

Cost: This group is provided at no cost to those living in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Marin, Humboldt, Del Norte, and Trinity counties. If you are outside of these counties, please call for resources in your area.

Contact: To find out more about the New Perspectives group, contact Janet Pomerantz at JPomerantz@lighthouse-sf.org or 707-268-5646.

P.S. Just like in our San Francisco and East Bay offices, LightHouse North Coast is on-hand and ready to provide training virtually, via Zoom or by phone, as Janet says, “Although we are closed for in person services, we are open to provide resources and to connect folks with all the training that we usually do, whether it be Independent living skills, mobility, health and wellness, support or education.” Contact northcoast@lighthouse-sf.org or 707-268-5646.

LightHouse News

Changing Vision Changing Life, Celebrating 25 Years of Connection and Program Evolution, Goes Virtual This December

11/03/2020 LightHouse Staff

By Kathy Abrahamson, Director of Rehabilitation Services

Twenty-five years ago, a program then called “Living With Vision Loss” was launched by the LightHouse Rehabilitation teaching staff. At that time, adults of all ages would come to our previous headquarters, two or three days a week, for four weeks of learning. Students learned foundational blindness skills in the areas of independent living, access technology, orientation & mobility, self-advocacy and community resources. The course was launched during the AIDS epidemic. During this time, students and teachers supported each other through connection and compassion, through adjusting to blindness or having low vision and the desire to learn skills of independence.

After ten years, the course and the name needed refreshing, thus “Living With Vision Loss” became “Changing Vision Changing Life” (CVCL). In June 2013, the course became even more immersive: morphing into a one-week intensive course at Enchanted Hills Camp. This meant people from all over the Bay Area and beyond could attend.

Over 400 students have participated in this evolving program, with over half of them having the opportunity to connect at Enchanted Hills Camp.

Now we morph again. While we miss our time at Enchanted Hills Camp, Changing Vision Changing Life is going virtual. Yes, it is a different experience and way of learning, but our same dynamic teaching staff will bring together a two-week training course on Zoom.

What: Changing Vision, Changing Life Goes Virtual

Who: Students 55 and over who are new to blindness or have low vision and desire a deep introduction to independent living through orientation & mobility, access technology, and independent living skills.

When: Weekdays, December 7 through December 18 with the following daily schedule:

Mondays: 9:30 am to 11:30 am & 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Tuesdays: 9:30 am to 11:30 am, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm & 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Wednesdays: 9:30 am to 11:30 am, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm & 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Thursdays: 9:30 am to 11:30 am 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm & 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Fridays: 9:30 am to 11:30 am & 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Cost: There is no instructional fee for this two-week course for those living in the counties of: San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity. There is a material cost of $40 per person as each student will receive a box of equipment to learn with throughout the two weeks which they will then keep.

The evening sessions will be a time for discussion and deeper connection with peers.

This course is for you if you wish to make a commitment to learn more about developing skills and choices to move forward as you leap into 2021. Please note, that all students must be able to make a commitment to all sessions throughout the two weeks. You do not have to have a computer to participate via Zoom, but you will need to have a reliable speaker phone (smart phone or landline) to participate and call in.

Registration is required by Monday, November 16 and limited to 12 students.

To register:

If you live in the Bay Area, contact Debbie Bacon at DBacon@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7357.
if you live in Humboldt, Trinity or Del Norte counties contact Janet Pomerantz at JPomerantz@lighthouse-sf.org or 707-268-5646.

LightHouse News

Sheri Albers Invites You to Our Virtual Living Room, October 28

10/14/2020 LightHouse Staff

Outreach Coordinator Sheri Albers knew that students weren’t getting the same opportunity to talk with staff about LightHouse programs as they did before shelter in place. So, she’s come up with a new monthly program where she invites the LightHouse community to join her on Zoom to talk about the classes and services we have to offer. “Meet You at the House” will run the last Wednesday of each month.

“The whole idea is to go beyond the information people get in a phone call. Staff from different departments will come in talk in detail about their programs. People will have a chance to ask questions and have a conversation with LightHouse staff,” says Sheri.

For October, Sheri will be joined by Adult Program Manager Serena Olsen who will be highlighting recreation programs for adults who are blind or have low vision from bingo, to virtual museum tours, to 30% & Growing, our casual meetup to talk all things blind employment.

In addition, each month someone from our store, Adaptations, will be on hand to highlight interesting products we’re selling.

Pull up a comfy chair and join Sheri by Zoom or telephone on October 28 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. RSVP to salbers@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7331.

Want to find out why Sheri is passionate about the LightHouse’s work. Read the staff profile she wrote earlier this year.

LightHouse News

A personal take on Tech Together Online

09/01/2020 Caitlin O'Malior

We live in a highly technical world, especially lately as many schools, programs, and companies have converted their services to an online platform. For people who are blind or have low vision, some of these new virtual experiences are less accessible, making certain day to day activities more difficult. It can feel overwhelming trying to keep up. Luckily, LightHouse offers an excellent weekly access tech discussion group to help blind and low vision individuals tackle some of these on-going accessibility struggles. Our phenomenal team of Access Tech specialists host Tech Together via Zoom. Tech Together is an interactive, informal conversation that gives participants a chance to ask questions, share their own knowledge or difficulties, and connect with others on a shared common experience—Access Technology.

In pre-COVID times, Tech Together was a monthly meet up at the LightHouse Headquarters in San Francisco. It is sponsored by the city of San Francisco’s program, SF Connected and is open to all technology enthusiasts, although the topics are generally based around accessibility and specifically that of blind and low vision accessibility. Due to the current shelter-in-place circumstances, Tech Together went from a monthly event with a modest following, to a weekly event with an expansive turn out of participants. Now that Tech Together, like so many other LightHouse programs, has gone virtual, people from all over are able to join from wherever they are. Each week about fifty eager “access techies” dial in to learn and share with one another on topics like accessing streaming apps, deliveries and rideshare services, touch screen keyboard and dictation do’s and don’ts, assistive smartphone applications like Be My Eyes, and much more.

I myself have low vision and am admittedly a terrible techie. I’m constantly struggling with tiny text fields on my phone or laptop. I am always clicking the wrong link instead of activating my zoom magnification, and am always, always, sending friends and family indecipherable text messages. I decided to join Tech Together and see what these Tuesday afternoon Zoom sessions were all about. I joined in on the “Inputting Information” sessions—an afternoon dedicated to sharing tips and tricks about using magnification apps, dedication software, and the struggles of touch screen keyboards when you can’t see the screen. It was the perfect class for me! I dialed just before 2:00 and was surprised to see there were already 26 participants, and the number kept on growing. I was delighted to hear people share the same embarrassing (however hilarious) dictation errors I’ve experienced. (Let’s just say, sometimes I’m convinced Siri has a hidden agenda to embarrass and shame me via text and email.) The hour and a half turned into two hours as the conversations, lessons, and laughter flowed amongst the group. I learned a few new keyboarding efficiency tricks, received some useful dictation advice (slower, clearer, highly annunciated speech is key!) and had several laughs along the way.

Tech Together has not only served as a fantastic resource for people seeking help and information about access technology, but it has also offered a chance for people to connect with others during these difficult times of social distancing and shelter-in-place regulations. “It’s satisfying to help build a community that shares knowledge and resources the way Tech Together does,” says LightHouse Access Technology Trainer, Jeff Buckwalter. “It not only helps cut through the social isolation of feeling you are the only one with frustrating technical issues, but also allows broader sharing to what people have learned, often through hard-won experience.”

Whether you are in need of technological assistance, or if you are just looking for a group of kind, resourceful, AT enthusiasts, I highly recommend checking out Tech Together every Tuesday afternoon from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. RSVP to AT@lighthouse-sf.org or via voicemail at: 415-694-7343.

September 2020 Tech Together topics:

September 1: 100 things to say to Alexa
Are you making the most of your Amazon smart speaker? We’ll cover a wide variety of things you can ask Alexa without having to enable third party skills.

September 8: What About Google?
If you have a Google smart speaker, we’ll cover a range of tips and tricks for how to make the most of everything it can do.

September 15: Apps for Exploring Your World
We’ll share apps that can provide information on streets, route planning, and transit schedules.

September 22: Understanding Web Elements
If you are a screen reader user, you likely hear about headings, links, landmarks, tables and more, every time you venture on to the world wide web. We’ll share an overview of what these elements do, and how they can make your web browsing experience more efficient.