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LightHouse News

Next Class May 6 – LightHouse Employment Class Gets High Marks

The LightHouse Employment Immersion Program has helped dozens of eager-to-work blind and low vision folks find jobs and get hired. At last count, salaries generated by past graduates have exceeded $1,365,000. Graduates from our most recent class tell us that our program is well worth the eight-week investment of time. Read what a few of them had to say.

“Before starting the class I felt frustrated with feelings of being alone, of not knowing anyone else with a disability and not having anyone else to relate to. I was also not aware of what employers and recruiters look for in an applicant. I felt my resume was JUST okay and was not too sure of how to change it or make it better. After being in the class, I definitely feel a lot better and confident about my resume and reassured of my interviewing skills. It was great to have other classmates share the same feeling as it made me feel less alone in my struggles.” — Vanessa Braasch, Richmond, CA

“I loved that I met other people with a visual impairment; I had never had the experience before the class and we became like a family. I also thought the class would be very rigid, and although we learned a lot, I actually found it to be relaxed and supportive. In addition, the class gave me a broader perspective about how to disclose my disability to potential employers. As a result, I feel more comfortable about my visual impairment – there is no reason for me not to apply to jobs when I have an interest. All in all it was a great experience and I am more motivated to gain employment – I am more focused on the possibilities rather than my disability. — Esmeralda Soto-Parraz, Oakland, CA

And finally:

“The class was a wonderful experience – a number of the things we covered really changed my life. [For example,] I used to use my white cane only on occasion… now it has become my “best friend”. With my new comfort level and confidence I have become a real “pro” in travelling and I think I can do anything I set my mind to. It was wonderful being part of a group with so much in common. We were all in the same boat. And we didn’t just talk about blindness. We became friends. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to become employed. Before the class I had little confidence to apply to jobs. Now that I understand myself better I am no longer afraid.” – Nancy Tabori, Menlo Park, CA

Thank you to the Thomas J. Long Foundation for their $10,000 grant to LightHouse’s Employment Immersion Program. Contributions make a difference to the low vision and blind job seekers who take part! Thomas J. Long Foundation logo

How to Apply
Are you ready to take the next step to finding that great job? Our next class begins May 6, and you may still have time to enroll. Don’t wait, contact Justine Harris-Richburgh at 415-694-7320 or volunteer@old.lighthouse-sf.org or Kate Williams at 415-694-7324 or kwilliams@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

Employment Immersion - March 2014 Graduates

LightHouse News

Thank You 4-H Club!

Enchanted Hills Camp was the fortunate beneficiary of a full day of volunteer labor by the Las Posadas 4-H Club of Napa County. More than twenty club members, utilizing three wood splitters, a chainsaw and a couple of trucks, cut and stacked mounds of wood for our upcoming summer campfire season. The 4-H’ers reconstructed an overgrown path connecting the Nature Trail with the Archery and cleared under the Nature Trail Bridge.

Many thanks to this dedicated crew of young men and women! We look forward to having the 4-H Club return next year for their annual community service work day.

4H Club at EHCMembers of the Las Posadas 4-H Club Pose Proudly at Enchanted Hills Camp

4H Club at EHC

4H Club at EHC

LightHouse News

The Freedom of Riding

Jacob and his dog Gibson hanging out on a couch
Fourteen-and-a-half year old Jacob Obeso of San Leandro is stoked to be a stoker for his second Cycle for Sight ride, a signature fundraiser benefiting Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind where he has participated as a camper for several summers. This Saturday, Jacob and his dad Robert will be pedaling 25 miles along the scenic roads of Napa as one of 40 tandems and 2500 cyclists.

Jacob’s mother Martha told us that tandem cycling was one of the very few things her son could do when he began to lose his vision. She said, “He couldn’t do a lot of sports and athletics but we got him to ride bikes. He liked it. I kept looking for things he could do and I found Cycle for Sight. The first year, my kids and I rode 15 miles. Jacob was really psyched to have so much support from the family. This year he’ll be riding 25 miles with my husband, no hesitation on Jacob’s part. Bike riding is a sense of freedom for him.”

Jacob is a freshman in high school. He has been attending Enchanted Hills Camp for a handful of summers now and, like so many blind campers before him, has benefited greatly from the transformative camp experience. Martha says, “Camp has completely changed Jacob’s attitude. He found other kids that he could relate to and now he is far more comfortable with his visual impairment. He loves EHC. The counselors are just fantastic and many are great blind role models.”

His love for camp and his need to feel free while biking are two reasons why Jacob and his family are riding this Saturday in Cycle for Sight. The Obeso family is hard at work raising money to help blind youth of all ages experience the magic of Enchanted Hills Camp. For 64 summers, Enchanted Hills has been a place where blind children and adults learn, grow and discover a new sense of self-confidence and freedom.

You can help Jacob and his family raise money for Enchanted Hills Camp by going to our
donation page and selecting Cycle for Sight as your giving designation. Be sure to put Jacob’s name in the “in honor of” field.

For more information about Cycle for Sight or Enchanted Hills Camp, contact Tony Fletcher at afletcher@old.lighthouse-sf.org or call 415-694-7319.

Ride on!

LightHouse News

Denied By Uber?

1 Commenton Denied By Uber?

Are you a legally blind individual who uses a guide dog and has been denied rides by Uber because of your guide dog?

Do you avoid using Uber because you have heard that Uber taxis refuse to pick up customers with service animals?

Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) and Timothy Elder of TRE Legal Practice are investigating complaints from blind individuals with service animals who have been denied transportation services by drivers of Uber Technologies, Inc. (Uber), in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Uber is a San Francisco based company that offers taxi transportation services in many metropolitan areas throughout the United States. Uber developed a smart phone application that customers use to request and pay for rides. The application is available for iPhones and phones running the Android operating system.

If you are a legally blind Bay Area resident, use a service animal and you believe that you have been denied a ride by one of Uber’s taxis because you have a service animal; or, if you have avoided using Uber because you have heard that Uber taxis refuse to pick up customers with service animals, then DRA and TRE Legal Practice want to hear from you. To share your experiences, please contact Rachel Smith by phone at (510) 665-8644 or by email at rsmith@dralegal.org.

LightHouse News

Attitude is Everything

Kate Williams of San Francisco is taking on a personal challenge this year at Cycle for Sight, the signature ride benefiting Enchanted Hills Camp. She will be riding 15 miles on a tandem bike, and this ride will be her first significant spin since 1997 when she began losing her vision. Kate, who is a grandmother, said, “I want to prove to myself I can do it. I did the Avon Breast Cancer walk before and I thought I couldn’t do that either. The first year I almost didn’t.” But why wouldn’t you do what you like and what you want to do.

Kate is the program manager for the LightHouse Employment Immersion Program, which helps dozens of blind people find competitive work every year. When asked why she wanted to finally get back on the horse, she said, “it just seemed like the right thing to do. LightHouse always fundraises for various programs, and I want to participate and give back. Plus, there’s a social aspect to it.” Kate advises that, “Attitude is everything, so today, be sure you pick a good one.”

It is with this intrepid attitude that Kate and her Pilot will hit the roads of Napa on Saturday, April 26 to help raise money for Enchanted Hills Camp, a program of the LightHouse for the Blind. For 64 summers, Enchanted Hills Camp has been a place where blind children and adults learn, grow and discover a new sense of self-confidence and poise.

If you’ve decided today to have an attitude of giving, donate to Cycle for Sight and support Kate William’s fundraising campaign. Simply go to our donation page and
select Cycle for Sight as your giving designation. Be sure to put Kate’s name in the “in honor of” field.

Join Team LightHouse today! Register at www.cycle4sight.com and ride with Team LightHouse. For more information, or to sign up as a tandem pilot or stoker, contact Tony Fletcher at afletcher@old.lighthouse-sf.org or call 415-694-7319.

Ride on!

Profile of Kate Williams

LightHouse News

U.C. Berkeley’s Chief of Low Vision Services to Answer Questions at LightHouse

The Frances Neer Visually Impaired Persons Forum Presents “Ask Dr. Greer”

On April 26, Dr. Robert Greer, Chief of Low Vision Services at U.C. Berkeley’s School of Optometry, will answer questions about assessments, diagnoses, treatments, adaptive technology, low vision aids, peer support, etc.

When: Saturday, April 26 at 11:00 a.m.
Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters

For information, contact Bill Gerrey at 415-345-2125 or Ann Rovere-Levitin at 415-308-4308.

LightHouse News

Who Knew That Giving Could Be So Energizing

This will be LightHouse Board member Chris Downey’s third year in a row to participate in Cycle for Sight. Chris tells us why supporting Enchanted Hills Camp in this way is so important to him.

Q: How old are you?
A: I’m a 6 year old blind kid trapped in a 51 year old body.

Q: What city are you from?
A: Piedmont.

Q: Which route will you be taking?
A: All the way – 50 or bust!

Q. What motivated you to ride this year and in the past?
A: The LightHouse was central to my rehabilitation from sight loss and it has remained central ever since. Now I’m in the “give back” phase as I fully appreciate the significance of the programs at the LightHouse and its Enchanted Hills Camp. As a Board Member, I’m absolutely thrilled by the direction and energy of the organization and want to do all that I can to maximize its potential in service of its current and future clients. Beyond that, I want to support its growth as “the place to be” for the Bay Area’s community of blind and visually impaired.

Q: What is your connection to Enchanted Hills Camp?
A: I’ve never been lucky enough to be an EHC Camper but have had numerous opportunities to stay overnight at camp for events as a member of the Board. Consequently, my relationship is primarily as a supporter and cheerleader.

Q: What is your connection to the LightHouse?
A: I started as a client in 2008, became a Board Member in late 2009 and have served as a Vice President since 2012. Closer to the heart, however, I’m truly grateful to the LightHouse for all it has done for me and my family since becoming a part of this incredible family.

Q: Any words of wisdom?
A: 1) If on the road heading down Mt. Veeder on the morning of April 26, watch out for the screaming tandem.
2) If blind and pointing downhill on Mt. Veeder and the sweat gets in your eyes, just close them and refer others to the initial “words of wisdom”.

Q: What is your fundraising goal?
A: My big audacious goal is $3,000. This is a significant reach due to other commitments over the next month but I’ll do my best to push for it.

Can you help Chris “give back”? $3,000 can send 3 blind youth to Enchanted Hills Camp this summer where children learn, grow and discover a new sense of self-confidence and poise.

Be a cheerleader like Chris. Be part of the community of supporters who believe in the significance and impact that camp has had on hundreds of blind youth for 64 summers. It’s simple. Go to our donation page and select Cycle for Sight as your giving designation. Be sure to put Chris’s name in the “in honor of” field.

You too can ride! Join Team LightHouse by registering at www.cycle4sight.com and ride with Team LightHouse on Saturday April 26. For more information, or to sign up as a tandem pilot or stoker, contact Tony Fletcher at afletcher@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

Ride on!

Chris standing next to one of his tandem pilots

LightHouse News

Next week! Join the LightHouse at SF Connected Swap Meet

Got Skills? Need Skills? Want to Barter? Join the LightHouse at the SF Connected Swap Meet.

While we may not have much money, we have the time and talent to help bridge the digital divide if we share what we have:

Resource Tables about affordable computers, internet access, volunteer opportunities and more.
LightHouse for the Blind will be there to discuss assistive technology, programs and devices and the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Program.
Hands-on training on computers, Skype, email and accessible technology.
A map of free SF Connected computer labs in your neighborhood.
Presentations by those ready and able to provide training and support.
Opportunities to share your ideas about how to bridge the digital divide.
A giant wall to swap offers and requests for computer assistance.
Refreshments provided.
Raffle with great prizes.

When: Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 9:30 a.m. through Noon
Gathering and Networking at 9:30 a.m.
Session Begins at 10:00 a.m.

Where: First Unitarian Universalist Center
1187 Franklin Street (at Geary)
Bus lines: 38, 38L, 49, 47, and 90

Register to Attend for Free!
Share your time and talent to help more San Franciscans get connected. Call Community Living Campaign at 415.821.1003 or register online at: bit.ly/TechSwapMeet2.

ASL will be provided. For other translations and accommodations, please call 72 hours in advance.

Co-sponsored by the Community Living Campaign and SF Connected. As part of the San Francisco Department of Aging and Adult Services’ SF Connected Program, the Community Living Campaign, Community Technology Network, Self-Help for the Elderly, Conard House, and Reliatech offer free computer training, specialty classes and technical support throughout the city.

For more information go to www.sfconnected.org/home or call 415-355-3555.

Flyer for Technology Swap Meet-Apr 2014 v5

LightHouse News

Window-Eyes Training at the LightHouse in May

GW Micro will hold Window-Eyes training at the LightHouse in May.

With Window-Eyes available for free via the offer for Microsoft Office users, this is your chance to get first-class, hands-on training directly from GW Micro on the screen reading software that everyone is talking about!

If you are a teacher that needs to know how to use the latest screen reading technology, an IT professional that needs to support blind clients, a student or current Window-Eyes customer who needs to know how to get the most out of Window-Eyes; then Window-Eyes training is just for you.

When: Wednesday, May 7 and Thursday, May 8
Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters

What do you get when you sign up for Window-Eyes training?

You get. . .
* Hands-on training with a GW Micro certified trainer
* The entire two-day curriculum on CD
* Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook using Window-Eyes advanced Office technology features
* Knowledge of the Internet and how to use it to its full advantage with Window-Eyes
* Knowledge of how to customize your computer, making graphics, words, and colors speak the way you want them to
* CEUs (for an additional fee)
* Many more skills. Check out www.gwmicro.com/training for more information

Unlike other training courses that can cost up to $1,000 per day, Window-Eyes training is only $650 per student for a full two days of training. GW Micro accepts most major credit cards, checks, money orders, and almost all state authorizations. To sign up for the training, please register at https://www.gwmicro.com/Training/Window-Eyes_Training/Registration/. Make sure to select San Francisco, CA as the location for training. For more information, check out www.gwmicro.com/wetraining. Space is limited, so sign up soon!

LightHouse News

Dream Big and Ride in This Year’s Cycle for Sight

Profile of Sergio

24-year-old Sergio Lopez, from Fremont, California, is riding in this year’s Cycle for Sight – a fundraising bicycle ride benefiting Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind. This is the second time he has ridden, and with each mile he pedals (25 miles this year), he will be raising money for a worthy cause.

“I am always looking for ways to challenge myself and had never been on a tandem bike before participating with Cycle for Sight.” says Sergio. “Not only does this ride present an opportunity for me to try new things and challenge myself but it’s a great feeling to work for such a good cause. The money I raise contributes towards one of the places which have made an impact on my life.”

A second year student at Ohlone College who is getting ready to transfer to SFSU, Sergio has been volunteering and working at Enchanted Hills Camp since 2010. Last summer, he worked as the assistant camp director. When asked to share a few words of wisdom, he said, “When you dream, dream as big as you can. Regardless of any circumstances, any dream can be achieved with enough motivation and determination. Try new things and make the best out of life.”

If you are ready to dream big, try new things and make the best out of life, consider riding in this year’s Cycle for Sight on Saturday April 26, 2014. Riders have the chance to ride 15, 25 or 50 miles down the majestic roads of Napa, alongside 2,000 other cyclists raising money for a worthy cause.

Join Team LightHouse today! Register at www.cycle4sight.com For more information, or to sign up as a tandem pilot or stoker, contact Tony Fletcher at afletcher@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

If you can’t ride but wish to support a rider, donate to Sergio Lopez’s fundraising campaign. Simply go to our donation page and select Cycle for Sight as your giving designation. Be sure to put Sergio’s name in the “in honor of” field.

Ride on!