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LightHouse News

LightHouse News

Applications Available for CCLVI Scholarships and Video Magnifier Awards

Scheigert Scholarships
The Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI) will award three scholarships in the amount of $3,000 each to full-time entering freshmen, undergraduate and graduate college students who are low vision, maintain a strong GPA and are involved in their school/local community. Application materials must be received by March 15. Scholarship monies will be awarded for the 2012–2013 academic year.

To read the scholarship guidelines and complete an online application, please visit www.cclvi.org and click on the “Scholarship” link. Applications will be available to submit online until March 15 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Questions may be directed to CCLVI at 800-733-2258.

Dr. Sam Genensky Video Magnifier Memorial Award
CCLVI also announces the Dr. Sam Genensky Video Magnifier Memorial Awards. A total of five video magnifiers will be awarded to at least two students (K–12, undergraduate, graduate and vocational levels) and two non-students (adults and seniors). All materials must be received by March 31.

To read the award guidelines and complete an online application, please visit www.cclvi.org and click on the “About Our Scholarships” link. Applications will be available to submit online until March 31 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. To receive a hard copy application, please call 800-733-2258.

LightHouse News

Junior Blind of America Student Transition & Enrichment Program Open House Feb. 23, 25

Junior Blind’s Student Transition & Enrichment Program (STEP) is rolling out new workshops in Northern and Central California this March for youth ages 16 to 22! Upcoming open house events talk more about how these workshops can help kick-start your future.

Who: Blind and low vision teens, parents and family members, TVIs, counselors and service providers

Where: Junior Blind of America’s new office, 11th floor, The Leamington Building, 1814 Franklin Street (cross street is 19th), Oakland, CA 94612 (one block from the 19th Street BART station and near several AC Transit bus lines)

Dates and Times:
Thursday, February 23, 3:00 to 8:00 p.m.
or
Saturday, February 25, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Details:
It will be a casual setting. Guests do not need to stay the entire time. There will be light refreshments and giveaways.

For more information on these Open House dates or to request a Junior Blind presentation for students, parents and teachers in your area, please call Richard Rueda at 888-400-4522, ext. 460, or visit www.juniorblind.org.

LightHouse News

Share Your Input at Feb. 17 Demo of Taxi POS Device

Taxis in San Francisco now feature point-of-sale terminals that let passengers pay for their fares with a card without having to hand it over to the driver. The current model of these POS devices is inaccessible.

On Friday, February 17 at 10:30 a.m., the LightHouse (214 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco) will host a demonstration of a potentially accessible POS device for taxis. This is your chance to give community feedback on the accessibility of these devices. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Frank Welte at 415-694-7363 or fwelte@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

Free Tax Preparation at the LightHouse on March 6

It’s that time of year that we all love to hate. Tax season has begun, and the next thing you know it will be April 15th. Don’t wait until then. Come to the LightHouse and get your taxes done for FREE.

What: Free Tax Preparation
When: Tuesday, March 6 (appointments start at 10:00 a.m.)
Where: LightHouse for the Blind, 214 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, 94102
Contact: Brandon Young, 415-694-7372, byoung@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

Professional tax preparers will be on hand to help you with your tax needs. Space is limited, so make an appointment today!

LightHouse News

LightHouse Yoga Workshop This Saturday

Embrace this Valentine month by luxuriating with your beautiful breath. Led by instructor Nancy Yates, Saturday’s yoga workshop is designed to open our hearts to the divine spirit of the breath while we playfully stretch, breathe, laugh and read love poems.

When: Saturday, February 18, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters
Contact: Brandon Young, byoung@old.lighthouse-sf.org, 415-694-7372

Refreshments (chai and strawberries) will be served. RSVPs are encouraged.

LightHouse News

Free Video Description Training for Employment (Expenses Paid)

National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute is offering a free workshop, including paid-for travel and room and board in May 2012, as part of the Video Description Research and Development Center Project, Smith-Kettlewell.

Applications are due by March 9.

Beginning July 1, 2012, major broadcast and cable networks will be required to provide video description for some television programs. The growing need to produce video-described programming will create new employment opportunities for blind professionals. With an extremely high unemployment rate among blind people, now is a perfect time for blind people to break into these careers. This workshop will provide participants with some initial training which could potentially make them desirable to companies who provide video description.

Read more here:
http://www.nfb.org/nfb/VDRC_Training_Application.asp.