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LightHouse News

SF’s Accessible Parking Policy Advisory Committee Presents Recommendations For Increased Access To Street Parking

San Francisco’s Accessible Parking Policy Advisory Committee has identified an interconnected program of policy recommendations that will increase access to street parking and reduce disabled parking placard misuse. Members of the committee will be presenting the recommendation at a meeting at the Independent Living Resource Center San Francisco on July 17 at 10:30 a.m. and ILRCSF has kindly made their meeting open to anyone who would like to attend.

Currently, the Mayor’s Office on Disability and SFMTA are holding public outreach sessions on the recommendations in July and August and will be taking them to the SFMTA Board in August for approval. Therefore, this meeting is a good, early opportunity to learn about the process that the committee went through and the reason that they ultimately decided to recommend the package of policy options that they are making.

More information on the committee and its recommendations can be found at www.sfmta.com/parkingaccess.

Date: Wednesday, July 17th
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: 649 Mission Street, 3rd Floor

LightHouse News

California School for the Blind visits the LightHouse

Last February, a class from California School for the Blind visited LightHouse Industries in San Leandro. They’ve given us permission to reprint the article they published in their June 2013 newsletter.

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A field trip to the LightHouse for the Blind
by Tracy Soriano

On Thursday, February 21, 2013, Nanako Yamada’s class, along with mobility instructor Cheryl Besden and Tracy Soriano, went on a field trip to the San Leandro LightHouse for the Blind.

We toured the facility, where they showed us how they made individual toilet paper packets for MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat) for the military. Each MRE contained: a meal, napkin, utensil and small toilet paper packet.

The most interesting thing that we liked about the facility was:

Ashley: She was intrigued by the size of the toilet paper roll, which was taller than she was, and how they turned it into a small individual toilet paper packet that she could fit into her pocket. She stated that she would not be interested in working in such a facility mainly because she didn’t want to have to relocate to the Bay Area from her current residence.

Dakota: The most interesting part about the facility for me was the conveyor belt that is used to move the toilet paper around. I don’t think I would be interested in this type of work mainly because of relocating to the Bay Area as well.

Travis: The most interesting thing about the facility for me was the machine that the operator used to slice the toilet paper into smaller sections so that they would fit into their packaging. I would very much like to work in this facility at some point in the future. I would like to work there because it is a job that I feel I could do easily as a visually impaired person.

Arthur: The most interesting thing about the facility was meeting Jerry and his dog and watching him put the giant roll of toilet paper onto the conveyor belt so that the operator could cut the toilet paper into thinner pieces to be put into small packets. I think that I would be very interested in working at this facility, because it’s close to my home and it is a job that I could see myself doing.

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Reprinted from California School for the Blind’s Braille Bites newsletter, with permission.

LightHouse Chief Operating Officer Jerry Bernstein gives tour to CSB students

LightHouse News

Immersion in the Redwoods: A Fabulous New Class Helps Students Increase Confidence and Chart Their Own Course

1 Commenton Immersion in the Redwoods: A Fabulous New Class Helps Students Increase Confidence and Chart Their Own Course

For one week in June, fifteen enthusiastic students participated in a life changing, immersion session at Enchanted Hills Retreat in Napa. Blind and low vision adults from all over Northern California, including five from the North Coast, got a jump start on a life not limited by blindness. Throughout the week, students were introduced to a number of options for living and working independently and each person went home with a unique plan for what they wanted or needed to do next.

The students learned basic essential daily living skills, braille, and dove into access technology solutions. To increase their confidence and safety, they also received a cane and some basic Orientation and Mobility training, enabling them to travel through their home and work environments with skill and grace.

Three of the participants had previous training and were here to gain work experience in their fields of interest: food service, access technology and community advocacy. The three also served as peer mentors to new students while furthering their skills.

The key to the success of this week of immersion was the fusion of each student’s personal commitment to the process and openness to learning, fostered by our passionate and experienced staff.

Our keynote speaker was Margie Donovan, a past LightHouse Board Member and former Visual Impairment Services Team Coordinator for the VA in San Francisco who described her experiences as a blind Enchanted Hills Camper and about connecting with her peers and learning from them. She focused on how embracing challenges and being open to taking risks leads to being as independent as you want to be.

Our other exceptional facilitators included, Julie Bentley, Certified Life Coach; Haruyo Nishimura, Blind Field Services Counselor from the Department of Rehabilitation; and Theresa Stern and Jane Nagli from Guide Dogs for the Blind Student Outreach and Alumni Services. Volunteers Nanako Yamada, Dr. Richard Wolf and Lorraine Miller-Wolf provided their own expertise in the areas of teaching, taking care of the one’s health and exploring creative outlets.

Marlene Dunaway, Bernice Kistler and Braille and Living Skills teacher Divina Fontanilla taking a moment to chat before class

Throughout the week students had the opportunity to mingle, share and connect with each other, bringing their perspective, professional connections, and personal insights to the environment of learning. They came from all walks of life: employed, retired, students and still ‘undecided.’ Represented were artists, chefs, teachers, nurses, entrepreneurs, mothers, partners and friends. They came from as far south as Los Gatos and north to Crescent City.

Despite their diverse backgrounds, the participants discovered common ground. They found they are authors of their own narratives no matter what their eye condition, and no matter what other health conditions intersected their lives. With the adaptive skills and training learned during the week, they are ready to take risks and take charge of their lives.

Another training session is coming up! Join us. The next Changing Vision, Changing Life Immersion Retreat and Training will be held in September 2013, amidst the redwoods and fresh air of LightHouse’s Enchanted Hills Retreat.

For more information, please contact Debbie Bacon at 415-694-7375 or dbacon@old.lighthouse-sf.org. Del Norte and Humboldt county residents please contact Janet Pomerantz at 707-268-5646 or jpomerantz@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

Access Technology student teacher Juliannah Harris teaches students how to use the Victor Reader Stream (l to r, Perla Kohs, Juliannah Harris, Valli Ferrell, Greg Robinson, Marlene Dunaway)

 

 

Orientation & Mobility instructor Terry Wedler works with student Oma Cardenas using a make-shift tactile map (photo credit: Lorraine Miller-Wolf)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The entire group: students, teachers and volunteers, pose for a photo under the cooling trees of Enchanted Hills, canes leaning to the right in synchronicity (photo credit: Lorraine Miller-Wolf)

LightHouse News

Include the LightHouse for the Blind in your Financial, Tax or Estate Planning Goals through our Planned Giving program

There are many ways to make a legacy gift to The LightHouse for the Blind, with benefits ranging from tax advantages to income for life. Whether you want to help blind and low vision people gain the skills and confidence they need to enter the workforce through our Employment Immersion Program, or help sustain Enchanted Hills Camp for generations of campers to come, we’re here to help you make a meaningful impact on the lives of blind and visually impaired individuals.

Learn More, Get in Touch
Here’s a handy chart that shows the types of planned gifts one can make and the benefits of doing so. And if you’ve made up your mind, here is a helpful form which contains verbiage that you can bring to your attorney.

We’d like to learn more about your interests and financial goals. Together we can map out strategies that will help you support our life-changing programs for the blind and visually impaired while maximizing your tax and financial benefits. For more information or to further discuss planned gifts, please contact Jennifer Sachs, Director of Development, at (415) 694-7333 or jsachs@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

Adaptations Featured Item: Lady’s Brown Leather Wallet

This supple brown leather wallet with a soft sheen, is incredibly well thought out.

Photo of wallet showing compartments and organization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It holds everything you need to carry with you and has enough pockets to organize just about anyone. With this classy wallet, your possessions are easy to locate. Avoid embarrassing delays at the register! With three separate coin pockets, five compartments for bills, ten spaces for credit cards, a driver’s license window and even space for your checkbook, you will have what you need in one place. Worried about security? Its Velcro closures are safe yet easy to open.

Measuring 8″ x 3 3/4″, this wallet sells for $30.00.

Purchase this wallet from Adaptations, the LightHouse Store, or peruse our full inventory of wallets and other organizers designed for the blind and visually impaired (but also perfect for anyone). Come by, call us at 1-888-400-8933 or visit our store website at http://store.lbvi.staging.wpengine.com.com/.

 

 

LightHouse News

More Accessible Than Ever! Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Ever wonder how you could spend a day meandering alone through Muir Woods soaking in the solitude and beauty? Have you ever wanted to take your family on an educational trip to Alcatraz Island? Was the only thing preventing you from the mystique of Muir woods or the confining walls of Alcatraz your blindness? If so, your vision is no longer an excuse not to go.

The Access to Information Services (AIS) department of the LightHouse has worked in partnership with the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) to make local national parks more accessible than ever. We’ve produced a number of braille brochures and tactile trail maps for GGNRA and consulted on such things as audio tours and topographic maps. The LightHouse has even provided training to GGNRA personnel on providing access and accommodation to people with disabilities.

LightHouse’s Lisamaria Martinez examines a topographic map of Lands End

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The LightHouse would like to thank GGNRA’s Michael Faw, Accessibility and Media Specialist, for spearheading their quest in excellence and accessibility.

We’ve listed below the GGNRA locations where access has been increased. The list also includes the accessibility features that exist. But accessibility doesn’t stop there. Coming soon you will find increased accessibility with a topographic map of Land’s End installed on site, a Junior Ranger Activity Guide for Muir Beach Quest and Ocean Stewardship and much, much more.

For more information or to make your attraction more accessible, contact Director of Access to Information Services Greg Kehret at 415-694-7349 or gkehret@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

Note: All of the GGNRA’s accessibility information is available at http://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm, broken down by both types of accessibility programs and by geographic locations. All of the audio described brochures and cell phone tours are available for download at http://www.nps.gov/goga/photosmultimedia/audio.htm.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area: audio described, online (new brochure in development by Harpers Ferry staff, will include braille and large print on publication)

Muir Woods: large print, braille and tactile map (available at the Muir Woods Visitors Center), audio described (onsite and online)

Fort Point: large print, Braille (ask any ranger at the Fort), audio described (online download)

Under Three Flags (Presidio): large print, braille and tactile map (available at the Presidio Visitors Center), audio described (online download)

The Natural Presidio: large print, braille and tactile map (available at the Presidio Visitors Center), audio described (online download)

Fort Point Audio Tour: online only, with downloadable text file also available

Point Bonita Lighthouse Cell Phone Tour: onsite, or downloadable from website

Fort Baker Cell Phone Tour: onsite, or downloadable from website, along with site map, with downloadable text file also available, large print, braille (at the Marin Headlands Visitors Center)

Lands End Lookout: audio described exhibit tour onsite, or downloadable from website

Volunteers in Parks: audio described, or downloadable from website

Philippine War Audio Walking Tour: downloadable from website, along with site map

Alcatraz Junior Ranger Brochure: large print (ask at the information kiosk near the dock on Alcatraz), downloadable from website

Fort Mason Center History Tour: large print (available at the Presidio Visitors Center), downloadable from website

Fort Mason: tactile map with printed and braille labels (available at the Presidio Visitors Center)

LightHouse News

Enchanted Hills Retreat – Reserve Your Group’s Time Now

We herald the impact of Enchanted Hills Camp on hundreds of blind youth and their families each year. What we don’t often mention are the countless people who – compelled by its beautiful landscape and amenities – select Enchanted Hills as the setting for their workshop, staff retreat, reunion and even wedding.

Beautiful Lokoya Lake at Enchanted Hills Retreat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enchanted Hills’ spacious cabins, unique features (including a Yurt, a Geodome, an Outdoor Redwood Amphitheatre, plus Wi-Fi and delicious meals), proximity to the wineries and sights of Napa and its reasonable rates make it ideally situated for your next private event.

You won’t just be doing yourself a favor…all rental proceeds are returned to camp, so that we may sustain Enchanted Hills as a transformative, unparalleled locale for blind and low vision kids to explore, create and learn.

Experience the magic of Enchanted Hills! To reserve your space for 20 to 120 or get more information, call 415-694-7310 or go to www.enchantedhillsretreat.com.