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visually impaired

Changing Vision Changing Life II – A New Addition to Our Immersion Training
LightHouse News

Changing Vision Changing Life II – A New Addition to Our Immersion Training

PHOTO: Cooking Instructor Sydney Ferrario preps food with students.

Are you ready to kick your skills up a notch? We’ve added a brand-new session to our Changing Vision Changing Life Series of small group trainings: The Changing Vision Changing Life (CVCL) II Immersion.

This motivating six-day overnight session is designed for students who may have participated in CVCL instruction in the past and are now focused on practicing the skills they’ve learned in a more intensive and structured manner.

Note: You don’t need to have attended a previous CVCL session to attend this one. However, you need to have had some basic training in Orientation and Mobility, independent living skills and/or access technology.

This session is great for students who are currently training in all of the areas above and can benefit from multiple days of one-on-one and small group instruction.

In this session, students will work on all of the following:

Access Technology, including

  • Computer training (Mac or PC) – using the software you are currently learning
  • Smart Phone Training – Apple or Android
  • Tablet Training – Apple or Android

Peer Group Support – Moving Forward
Advocacy – Taking Control
Orientation and Mobility Training 1:1
Introduction to Braille
Smart Cooking for Independence
Low Vision Training – Using your Tools to Your Benefit
Physical and Recreational Exploration to Enhance Mobility

When: This session will run from Sunday, September 18 (arrival at 3:30 p.m.) through Friday, September 23 (leave at 10:30 a.m.)

Where: The session will be held in our headquarters building at 1155 Market St., 10th Floor in San Francisco. Participants will stay overnight throughout the week in our Student Residences.

Cost: There is a $1300 fee for this training but you may qualify for partial or full scholarship if you are not already working with the Department of Rehabilitation or the Veterans Administration.

To find out if this session is the best fit for you please contact Debbie Bacon at dbacon@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-357.

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Employment Immersion Programs

1 Commenton Employment Immersion Programs

2021 Curriculum – CA DOR VirtualEmployment Program

Providing Tools and Resources to Live a Secure and Fulfilled Life

“Employers don’t like problems, they like solutions. We allow people to develop their own solutions; we give them the options, and coach them into finding their own solutions.”

– Kate Williams, Director, Employment Services

After gaining skills in mobility, technology, and daily life, the final metric of success for a working-age individual who is blind or who has low vision may be ensuring a solid paycheck at the end of the month. Although monetary gain is important, we have learned that it is frequently not the most compelling reason individuals want to secure employment!  

Rather, they cite the desire to acquire a sense of “belonging” and “contributing” as the motivating factors, closely followed by a desire to gain confidence, self-esteem and self-reliance. Unlike many employment programs, we pay close attention to these factors and integrate that awareness into each facet of our program.  Our approach to supporting blind and visually impaired individuals on their path to securing employment is customized to each person we work with. As job seekers, we may share similar challenges on our journey; however, our stories and needs are vastly different. This premise is reflected in the design of our award-winning Employment Immersion Program.  

Our Unique Approach to Employment Immersion

Our team is dedicated to providing a thorough assessment of the needs of each individual as they enter the program. Employment Specialists guide students through complex topics such as creating a dynamic resume, writing compelling cover letters, preparing for interviews, disclosing their disability and requesting accommodations. Students work individually to master these skills while they build a network of connections and develop transferable skills.

The Employment Immersion Team augments these one-on-one learning experiences with group activities including highly specialized workshops, expert guest speakers, meetings with employers and mock interviews with local companies. We work tirelessly with our students during their job search. We meet as a team on a weekly basis to review their status and work collaboratively to assist students in discovering job opportunities in today’s competitive job market.

This thoughtful and supportive model has resulted in a consistent placement rate exceeding forty percent. We welcome your inquiries! Our primary goal is to support job seekers realize their value in the workplace.

Learn more about our staff: read their biographies.

If you’re interested in learning more about our Employment Immersion programs, or would like to sign up, please contact Ed Wong  at 415-694-7659 or at eiteam@lighthouse-sf.org.

About
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About

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired provides education, training, advocacy, and community for blind individuals in California and around the world. Founded and based in San Francisco since 1902, the LightHouse is one of the largest and most established comprehensive blindness organizations in North America, with a wide variety of programs to suit a wide variety of needs, as well as a rich network of blindness advocates and professionals.

LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, tax EIN 94-1415317.

Fast Facts

Each year:

  • 650 of our students learn to use a white cane and other skills needed to stay active and independent.
  • 320 of our students get training in technology ranging from basic keyboarding skills to talking GPS and cell phone apps specifically for people who are blind.
  • 100 young people participate in our enrichment programs such as STEAM activities, job and college prep, and outdoor adventures.
  • 180 of our deaf-blind students learn skills like braille and receive accessible tech equipment.
  • 420 of our campers enjoy a quintessential camp experience at Enchanted Hills Camp in Napa.
  • 60 of our blind jobseekers gain skills needed for employment.
  • 1,300 blind people buy more than 5,000 low vision and blindness tools at Adaptations Store.
  • 650 of our volunteers give their time to further our mission.

Each month:

  • 100 people access support services such as counseling, support groups, information and referral and case management.
  • 50+ social and recreational activities engage people who are blind in a supportive community.
  • 10 tours and outreach events educate the community about our mission and services.

Each day:

  • People who are blind become part of the LightHouse community, take steps to maximize their independence, and advocate for themselves and others.

Links

If you are blind or have low vision, and would like to benefit from our services, visit our programs page.

If you would like to support the LightHouse, visit our donate or volunteer pages.

If you are interested in our new headquarters at 1155 Market St. in San Francisco, visit our tours page.

To participate in our summer camp sessions, classes and workshops in Napa, visit our Enchanted Hills page.

For press inquiries or to read about LightHouse in the news, visit our press page.

For canes, technology, and other assistive devices at our store, visit our shop page.