Tag Archive

Training

Google is Coming Back to the LightHouse, and You’re Invited

google chromebook

A couple weeks ago, we wrote about how Google came to the LightHouse in May to run a series of usability studies. Today, we’re happy to announce that they’re returning again in July for an even more in-depth workshop.

On Tuesday, July 21st the LightHouse for the Blind is hosting an all-day training facilitated by professionals from Google. The day will focus on how to use Chrome OS, as well as Google Docs and Drive Product suite using assistive technology. The event begins at 9 am. Lunch will be provided, and we will wrap up the day with a happy hour from 5 to 6 pm.

When: Tuesday, July 21, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Happy hour from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters
Lunch will be provided

Chromebooks are highly secure, speedy, and affordable internet-based laptops. Google Drive, Docs, Sheets and Slides are powerful productivity tools for creating content, sharing content and collaborating with others. These products are increasingly adopted by educational and business organizations, and it’s important for blind and visually impaired users and instructors to be familiar with the accessibility features and functionality.

This workshop will include demonstrations by Google staff, hands-on exercises on the Chrome OS and Windows platforms, time allocated to giving product feedback, and more. Lunch will be provided, and we will wrap up the day with a happy hour.

Space is limited so register early to ensure a spot! To RSVP, contact LightHouse Deputy Director Scott Blanks: sblanks@lighthouse-sf.org, or 415-694-7371.

LightHouse Legacy Society: Be a Changemaker, Improving the Lives of Blind and Low Vision People for Years to Come

In the LightHouse’s 113 year history bequests and other types of planned gifts have been transformative, allowing the LightHouse to flourish and grow as a leader in programs to empower the Blind Community. Over 500 gifts from estates, from small to large have been contributed to the LightHouse.

We are now launching the LightHouse Legacy Society for those who have chosen to include the LightHouse in their will, living trust or other estate plans. LightHouse Legacy Society members will be recognized (if they wish) on the LightHouse web site, in our annual report, LightHouse News and on a special donor wall in braille and tactile letters. And LightHouse Legacy Society members will be invited to exclusive events, to meet peers and get an insider’s look into emerging technology and programs for the blind.

As you can tell, it’s an exciting time at the LightHouse. As we grow and aim to serve three times as many members of the blind, visually impaired and deaf-blind community, from small children to elders, your involvement is essential. Our leadership in the field and our ground-breaking programs are possible because of donors like you.

Are you interested in being an inaugural member in the LightHouse Legacy Society? Or would you like information about including the LightHouse or Enchanted Hills in your Estate Plans? Contact Jennifer Sachs at 415-694-7333 or jsachs@lighthouse-sf.org.

A Few Spots Still Open in Our Innovative Introduction to Blindness Group at Our Napa Retreat

Immersion students and teachers pose next to Lake Lokoya on a crisp, chilly dayAre you an adult who is experiencing changing vision? We invite you to join us for this week-long training in the fresh air and verdant grounds of our Enchanted Hills Retreat. You’ll learn a boatload of best practices for maintaining your independence while enjoying this beautiful setting.

In the last three years the Lighthouse has offered the pioneering Changing Vision Changing Life immersion training programs at our Enchanted Hills Retreat in Napa. Each training session brings together up to 25 adult students of all ages, from Northern California and the Central Valley, who are either new to low vision or blindness, or have had a significant change in vision and have requested additional training. We invite adults to join us for this week-long training in the fresh air and verdant grounds of our Enchanted Hills Retreat. You’ll learn a boatload of best practices for maintaining your independence while enjoying this beautiful setting.

These sessions are always free to participants 55 years or older, but you’ll need to make arrangements by calling Debbie Bacon by April 6, 2015.

  • Dates of our next session: April 12 through 17, 2015
  • Transportation is provided from San Rafael, San Francisco, Emeryville Amtrak and Ashby BART
  • There is no cost to attend if you are 55 or older and living in San Francisco, Alameda, Marin, Humboldt or Del Norte counties.
  • For more information please contact Debbie Bacon, LightHouse Rehabilitation Counselor, at 415-694-7357 or dbacon@lighthouse-sf.org

Some of the areas we’ll cover during the week include ways to read printed materials; understanding how lighting, contrast and magnification can help you every day; suggestions for organizing and labeling in your home or office; best methods for taking notes and keeping a calendar; basic cooking skills; traveling and moving safely and confidently in your home and in the community; managing finances; the joys of an accessible computer and other low tech equipment and more. We’ll also make suggestions on how to talk to your family and friends about what would help you best.

While gaining new skills and confidence with changing vision is the overall theme of the week, the experience of coming together with other adults, both students and teachers, who are low vision or blind, to learn or relearn skills, and to get back into the stream of life remains a pivotal part of the week long experience. And it doesn’t stop there – we will also follow-up with you to see how you are doing and help keep you focused on what you’ve just learned.

Our next Changing Vision Changing Life session is April 12 through April 17. Just call or email Debbie Bacon by April 6 at 415-694-7357 or dbacon@lighthouse-sf.org for more information. We look forward to seeing you at Enchanted Hills.

Blind & Low Vision Skills Training

Our team of teachers and specialists (many of whom are blind or have low vision themselves) are highly trained and experienced in teaching low vision and nonvisual techniques and strategies.

Our goal is to teach skills and strategies that you can apply throughout your life  to help maintain your independence. From learning essential safe travel skills in your home and community to accessing your mail or favorite book, the LightHouse strives to meet the needs of any individual seeking to improve their quality of life and self-reliance.

Each person has their own journey and pace for learning new skills, and our  teachers will meet you at your level of readiness and will encourage your growth. If you are open to learning how to do something in a new way with your changing vision, we are ready to provide the training and support you need.

For those who are new to low vision or blindness or have a recent change in their vision, we recommend our flagship program, Changing Vision, Changing Life.

Immersion Training: Changing Vision, Changing Life 

Changing Vision, Changing Life (CVCL) is an introductory immersion program for adults who are newly blind or have experienced a change in vision. The week-long program introduces basic and essential skills to live confidently at home and in the community. Topics include organizational skills and labeling, navigating safely, introduction to adaptive aids and technology, and discussions on adjustment to changing vision.

While CVCL introduces students to invaluable blindness or low vision training and techniques, the bigger purpose is to bring people together to learn and share experiences in a supportive environment. The instruction is designed to motivate students to learn more and to envision all the possibilities. Many students who attend CVCL return to leading full, active lives while remaining enthusiastically engaged with the LightHouse.

Students do not need to live in the Bay Area to attend CVCL. Our facilities in Napa and San Francisco are equipped with lodging and provide meals to keep you comfortable and nourished throughout the training.

Read about CVCL in the New York Times!

In addition to CVCL, listed below are the core learning opportunities in which you can participate as a student. All these skills can be learned from our headquarters in San Francisco and most of them from our satellite offices:  LightHouse East Bay, and LightHouse of the North Coast,

Orientation and Mobility (O&M)

The ability to move about independently with confidence and grace is an essential step towards self-confidence, independence and living a full life, and the goal of O&M Training.

“Orientation” refers to the ability to know where you are and where you want to go, whether you’re moving from one room to another, walking a route from your home to downtown, taking a bus from one place to another or ‘orienting’ to a new worksite or school campus.

“Mobility” refers to the ability to move safely, efficiently, and effectively from one place to another. This means walking confidently without tripping or falling, crossing streets, and using public transportation. Mobility training includes learning to use essential tools like a cane or a monocular telescope for those with low vision, and strategies, such as listening for traffic patterns when crossing the street or using accessible pedestrian signals.

LightHouse O&M Specialists recognize that traveling ‘independently’ is different for everyone; in addition to learning basic skills, students can  learn alternate systems for travel such as Human Guide or using community Paratransit. Additionally, they provide training in GPS navigation systems using smartphone apps, tactile map reading skills, spatial awareness, and other sensory skills.

O&M Training is available to individuals, and to small groups through our O&M: Get Moving class and other workshops.

Essential Living Skills

Essential living skills, often called Independent Living Skills or Daily Living Skills, are the essential skills you use in your daily life. Your approach to these skills can change if your vision changes. Our teachers provide you the tips, strategies, simple modifications, and tools to continue your routine at home, school or work. The emphasis is on teaching transferable skills, where individual skills can be applied to many activities.

Here are some of the specific areas we address:

  • Organization and labeling (visual and non-visual)
  • Sensory Skills (non-visual and low vision)
  • Environmental modification
  • Adaptive Devices and Technology (blind and low vision)
  • Food Preparation and Cooking Skills
  • Clothing Care and wardrobe management
  • Paper Management (bills, correspondence)
  • Household Management and housekeeping
  • Personal Hygiene Care
  • Record Keeping and managing financial/household documents
  • Time and Calendaring Management Tools
  • Shopping (from on-line to in-store shopping)
  • Social and Recreational Involvement – getting back to a routine of fun!
  • Smartphone training and relevant apps

ILS training is available to individuals, and to small groups through our Low Vision Skills: Putting it All Together class, Language of Listening class, and other workshops.

Braille

Braille, an accessible tactile reading and writing system, is essential to blind literacy. It is also crucial in pursuing education and employment.

The LightHouse is dedicated to teaching Braille and offers individual sessions every day of the week. Our programs support businesses, schools, and community agencies with the aim of providing and maintaining access to Braille.

Adult students of all ages can benefit from learning Braille at various levels:

  • To produce simple labels
  • To write notes or shopping lists
  • To play cards with friends and family
  • To learn contracted braille for note-taking, reading textbooks or documents, or using refreshable Braille displays with computers or smartphones

To receive low vision or blind skills training, contact:

To find out more and to get started receiving services, please call us at 415 -694 -7323 or email us at info@lighthouse-sf.org

Getting Started

Getting Started

Have you or someone you know recently been diagnosed as legally blind?

LightHouse is here to support you wherever you are in your changing vision.

Am I “Blind”? Am I “Visually Impaired?”

Of the 285 million people in the world who are blind or have low vision, only a relatively small percentage have no light perception. For everyone else, blindness is a gradation. Some people see quite clearly, in certain light conditions. Others see only shapes and colors.

For some, their field of vision is complex and hard to explain. The diversity of these extra functions is what makes blindness particularly confusing to the unacquainted observer.

For those with changing vision, the daunting part is not usually the fear of darkness, but the fear of admitting that you’re different.

Who qualifies for LightHouse services?

LightHouse is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and we serve the greater Bay Area and north to the Oregon border. If you are outside of our geographic area, please still give us a call and we can connect you to a service provider in your area.

If you have a blind or visually impaired child between the ages of 0 to 3, you are eligible for LightHouse Little Learners. Little Learners serves the California Central Valley and the Greater Bay Area.
If you have both vision and hearing loss, our Deafblind program serves all of California.

What types of programs do you offer?

Access Technology

Learn how to use technology, like smart phones and computers, using accessible technology through one-on-one training.

Community Services

Throughout the year, we host outings, classes, recreational activities, and events for community members who are blind or have low vision of all ages to learn, connect, and thrive.

Deafblind Program

The Deafblind Program provides training, resources and support to persons who have both vision and hearing loss. The goal of the program is to ensure that deaf-blind individuals have access to information and the skills needed to live independent and productive lives. As part of this goal, the LightHouse operates the iCanConnect program to ensure deaf-blind individuals receive free equipment and training to suit their needs.

Enchanted Hills Camp

Founded in 1950 by Rose Resnick, Enchanted Hills now holds not only our annual summer camp sessions, but also hosts classes, workshops, retreats and seminars in a beautiful setting high atop Napa’s Mount Veeder.

Independent Living Skills

Independent Living Skills include training in orientation and mobility, braille, cooking, and other independent living skills. Instruction methods include one-on-one, group, ongoing, and immersive options.

Little Learners

Launch in 2021, the LightHouse Little Learners program is here to help families with children aged birth to three who are blind, Deafblind have low vision, or a neurological visual impairment.

Volunteer Services

Volunteers

Youth Programs

The LightHouse offers a diverse array of outings, social events, and personal/professional development opportunities for young adult and high school-aged youth.

How do I get started?

To get started, email info@lighthouse-sf.org or call 415–694–7323.