The LightHouse, in conjunction with an outside research organization, is interested in asking people who are blind or visually impaired to complete a short online survey about assistive technology.

By completing the survey, you will have the chance to win one of three Amazon gift cards in the amounts of $125, $100, or $75.

You will be given the option at the end of the survey to provide your name and contact information so if you win one of the gift cards we can contact you. Your personal information will not appear in any research published in conjunction with this survey.

The gift card drawing will be on July 15 and the winners will be contacted by July 25.

Take the survey.

This innovative project is complete. Order audio-tactile maps of each BART station, designed to enable people with visual impairments to independently navigate this essential public transport system.

The LightHouse has mapped all 44 BART stations; three views each – street, concourse and platform; because you want to know not just where trains go, but how to get in and out of, and around stations. And they talk.

Here’s how it works: Let’s suppose you have an audio-tactile BART Station Map in your hands. You can feel the raised lines and braille symbols. A “b” inside an orange oval represents a bus stop; a “t” in a red triangle represents a taxi stand; there are distinct symbols for stairs, elevators and escalators. Say you want to learn more about that bus stop. Tap it with the Smartpen and you hear “Bus stop on the East side of Mission Street. Buses from this stop: Muni 14, 14L and 49″. That’s far more information than could be squeezed, as braille, into the 5/8″ oval on the page. And the map is printed on a piece of paper that fits into a standard binder.

We are rolling out these awesome new BART maps in two phases. If you are a Bay Area O & M Specialist or TVI, and would like these materials as aids to help your students develop the confidence to independently navigate this essential public transport system, we would like to hear from you during our phase one roll out. Stay tuned for our phase II roll out for individuals who wish to have accessible BART maps at their fingertips.

Bay Area O & M Specialists and  TVI’s: to receive your free maps and Smartpen please contact Greg Kehret, Director of Access to Information Services, at gkehret@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

This project was funded in part by a New Freedom grant, and developed in partnership with Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute.

Youth and Teen Sessions at Enchanted Hills Camp

We still have room for young blind and visually impaired campers in our Youth and Teen sessions. This summer we’ll offer the most loved traditional camp activities, such as hiking, swimming, boating, nature programs, arts and crafts and more. Campers will also have the have the chance to participate in some newly designed team building and low rope activities taught by a specialized instructor hired specifically to run the program. And for the first time we now have an outdoor stage to host musical performances, talent shows and presentations. The newly designed Redwood Theatre is not to be missed.

Sign up online or for a hard copy of the application, please contact Taccarra Burrell at ehc@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

Do You Want to Get Serious About Your Music? Take it to the Next Level at Intensive Blind Music Academy at Enchanted Hills this August

Extended Deadline – Sign Up by June 30

Enchanted Hills Camp in Napa is offering a brand new National Music Academy for blind and visually impaired musicians. The Academy is open to blind musicians ages 14 to 25. The session is led by Dancing Dots founder Bill McCann. If you are a serious blind musician or are thinking of entering the profession, this academy will introduce you to new ways you can write down your own music, read the works of others, and gain the capacity necessary to compete for and win employment in the music field. Session runs from August 3 through August 9, 2014.

Find out more about our Music Academy.

Parents and Grandparents Love Enchanted Hills on our Facebook Pages

Darilyn Watts wrote:

This place has provided an amazing way for my daughter to meet & interact with other children with visual impairments. It has given her the type of independence she needs.

Janet Zappacosta-Stevenson wrote:

Every year my grandson has tried something new. He feels so free here. It was a wonderful grandma/grandson time.

Nancy Swan wrote:

My 17 year old son has been a part of the LightHouse, specifically Enchanted Hills Camp since he was 7. The week he spends every year at camp is typically the highlight of his year. Last year he was able to be a Counselor in Training, being there to support and guide the young campers who come to experience EHC for the first time. Can’t thank LightHouse enough for all the wonderful work they do in helping Jack grow into an independent young man, ready to take on the world and itching to get out on his own. For Jack it’s about learning advocacy – making sure he has the skills to make it on his own. And LightHouse is a large reason why he’s grown into the incredible man he is today. Thanks guys.

Tell us what you think on our EHC Facebook page.

EHC Wish List

As we take inventory of what we need for an ideal camp setting we encourage you to look in your home, your garage, your basement for items you want to clear out that would enhance our camp. We need all kinds of household items and equipment, from First Aid kits to a gazebo.

Here’s our current list:

– Arrows
– Art Supplies
– Coffee Mugs
– Dressers and Armoires
– Electric Hand Sander
– First Aid Kits
– Garden Tools such as clippers, rakes, shovels, trowels, weeding tools
– Gazebo
– LED Lanterns
– Musical Instruments
– Nice Bath Towels
– Old West Memorabilia such as wagon wheels, old farm equipment, antique lamps and kitchen equipment or old photos of Napa
– Outdoor furniture (chairs, tables)
– Picnic Tables/Shade Covering
– Pool Toys
– Recycling Containers (Industry Grade)
– Riding Mower
– Saddles
– Small or Large Refrigerator
– Solar Gardening Lights
– Strong Bristle Door Mats
– Tandem Bikes
– Water Bottles (Reusable)
– Wood Stoves
– Yoga Balls
– Yoga Mats

If you’d like to donate or need additional information, contact Enchanted Hill Camp Director Tony Fletcher 415-694-7319 afletcher@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

Calling all Coffee and Hot Chocolate Drinking Campers

Enchanted Hills needs your mugs. Every year we ask campers to bring a mug with them to donate to camp. We get a wonderful variety of mugs that we use all summer, but they break and disappear by the end of the season and we always need more. So thank you in advance for your contribution to the Enchanted Hills mug supply.