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The Passing of the Torch at EHC: Jamey Gump Takes Over for Tony Fletcher as Camp Director

The Passing of the Torch at EHC: Jamey Gump Takes Over for Tony Fletcher as Camp Director

In  1989, Tony Fletcher started his career with us as the Youth Coordinator at the Rose Resnick Center which later merged into the LightHouse for the Blind in 1993. It was there that Tony worked alongside Enchanted Hills Camp founder, Rose Resnick, and learned from her about the importance of creating a safe and nurturing blind-positive environment that challenged campers of all ages to explore, develop skills, and build confidence and self-esteem in a traditional summer camp environment. This had been Rose’s mission that Tony would continue after Rose Resnick’s passing in 2006.

Now, after more than 25 years as Camp Director, Tony has stepped down from the role, although he remains involved with EHC as Alumni Coordinator. As we bid a fond farewell to Tony as Camp Director, we would also like to introduce you to our new Camp Director, long-time member of the EHC community, Jamey Gump.

Jamey’s history with EHC began with him being a camper in 2002. After several years of attending junior high and then teen sessions, he went on to become a camp counselor. Jamey would hold a variety of positions at camp, including working as various area leaders, and was even known to support the kitchen and maintenance staffs. Jamey shared with us why he came back to camp again and again, his thoughts on Tony and what he looks forward to in his new role.

“EHC has made me feel invited, made me feel like an active member of the community, and it’s a place where I can give back. It’s helped me grow as a blind person and I think EHC is one of the best places for blind people to connect with one another.

“I never saw myself becoming Camp Director, because Tony was always there. He was the right person to be leading camp. For many years people in the EHC community had encouraged me to become the next Camp Director, but it wasn’t until Tony said he was stepping down and said ‘Jamey, I would like you to be that person, if you’re open to it.’ At that moment, I had no other answer in my mind but ‘Yes.’

“Since October it has been a whirlwind of excitement. Between the new programs and learning how the old programs work in the new [rebuilt after the 2017 wildfires] space and figuring out the camp applications and connecting with all the different players, it’s truly been really, really exciting. Every day I learn something new.”

One of the many things Jamey is looking forward to working on is raising funds for the naming of the Nursing Office, in the Mayacamas Dining Hall, after longtime camp nurse Bill Simpson. Bill first joined EHC as a volunteer in 2000 and served as Camp Nurse from 2001-2023, making him the longest-tenured Camp Nurse in EHC’s history. Jamey is pleased to share than an anonymous donor has pledged a matching gift of $5000 for the Nursing Office. 

We’d be remiss if we didn’t share some thoughts from Tony as well.

“I directed Enchanted Hills Camp from 1998 through the summer of 2024. It’s been a very fast 26 years. It has been so wonderful to work with so many smart, creative and fun folks over the years, and to do so in an environment that is stunningly beautiful is a gift of enormous magnitude for a career. That being said, my connection to EHC has always been to the campers and to Dr. Rose Resnick. I had no clue what impact she would have on my life, or the impact of the people associated with EHC would have on my life as well. I remember Rose telling me that what we do in our line of work is a privilege; never truer words have been spoken about my term as Camp Director.

“I am so happy that now Jamey has stepped into that role; he has been associated with camp for over 20 years, and I remember him as a camper with the biggest smile, warmest disposition, and the charismatic ability to make everyone welcome in his presence. He has my 100% support in his new role of leadership. Our community is in good hands.”

Thank you, Tony, for all your years of service as EHC Director. Jamey, we’re looking forward to seeing what you do at the helm.
 

Now we leave you with the lyrics from the EHC song:

I want to wake up at Enchanted Hills
Where the songbird sings hello
And the sun comes a creeping
Into where I’m sleeping, and the redwoods whisper low
I want to wander through the wildwoods
Where the rippling waters flow
And come trickling back to Enchanted Hills
To the camp that we love so.

A Salute to the Ziegler Foundation: Thank You for Your Gift to LightHouse

A Salute to the Ziegler Foundation: Thank You for Your Gift to LightHouse

Earlier this year, LightHouse was honored to receive a donation of $3.3 million from the E. Matilda Ziegler Foundation to support three LightHouse programs: Little Learners, Enchanted Hills Camp and MAD Lab.

In 1907, Electa Matilda Ziegler took an interest in the education of the blind after her son became blind as a child. That year, she established a monthly Braille magazine for the blind and in 1929, she founded the Ziegler Foundation.

We had a wonderful conversation with Kelson Brighton, who is the great-great-granddaughter of Matilda Ziegler, to gain more background knowledge about the Ziegler Foundation and why they chose LightHouse for this transformational gift.

What attracted you to donating to LightHouse?

“In looking at which organizations to fund, we look at where we potentially have the most impact, and a bit of geographic stretch. The Ziegler Foundation was founded in New York State and has been focused on that region. In our effort to support more direct program work, we wanted to make sure we had a geographic reach outside the northeast.

“When we research organizations to fund, we look at how they use funding. We were really impressed by the way that LightHouse uses funding in its programming, and also the transparency. For us that was really exciting, because we wanted to make sure that we were supporting an organization that we felt really confident would steward the funds in a way that was as impactful and effective as possible.”

For many years, the Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind was the nucleus of the Ziegler Foundation. The magazine offered fiction, scientific articles, current events, instruction in handiwork, and occasionally, raised-line maps.

Jerry Kuns, a longtime volunteer, supporter, and donor at LightHouse, wrote about his experience reading the magazine.

“I was introduced to the Ziegler Magazine by a blind electrical engineer in the early 1970s. We spent many an evening reading and discussing content and wondering why it was so difficult for visually impaired people to be accepted in the mainstream of society. We enjoyed sharing our passion for reading together well into the 90s and introducing others to the remarkable zine. Of special interest were articles on what other blind people were doing for employment, which stimulated opportunities for other blind people to explore.”

By the 1990s, the Ziegler Foundation had shifted its focus to funding research, although the magazine remained in publication until 2014, providing more than 100 years of reading material for the blind, and sparking conversations between blind people worldwide. 

Kelson also elaborated on the future of the Ziegler Foundation.

We’ve heard the Ziegler Foundation will be closing its doors. What is the legacy the foundation would like to leave?

“The short answer is yes; we’re closing our doors. When the foundation started, the goal was to address an issue with accessibility for blind people to publications, to reading material and to information about events going on in the world.

“In the late 1990s, our focus shifted to funding research. At the same time, the Ziegler family had an acute awareness of the many incredible organizations like LightHouse, doing direct service work that impacts people’s lives.“

“So, in order to be the most impactful, the Ziegler Foundation turned to supporting organizations doing the amazing work directly with blind people. That’s the realization that happened for us: we could collaborate in that way and pass on a legacy. By donating to organizations like LightHouse, we’re able to reach folks in a way we could not have done alone.

“As the Ziegler Foundation wraps things up, it’s this idea of continuing the work of supporting blind people that’s most important. That is what we think about as we go through the process of donating to LightHouse and other organizations. Our donations are a testament to the work that we see happening across the country and in areas that need it the most.”

The $3.3 million gift the Ziegler Foundation has donated supports the following LightHouse programs:

  • $1.1 million for Little Learners, our early intervention program to help children from birth to age three, who are blind, DeafBlind, or who have brain-based blindness.
  • $1.1 million for Enchanted Hills Camp (EHC), our camp and retreat in Napa, CA, which among its activities, hosts blind and low vision campers from all over the world.
  • $1.1 million for our Media and Accessible Design Lab (MAD Lab) which produces Braille signage, tactile maps, and media in a variety of alternate formats.

Hats off to the E. Matilda Ziegler Foundation for more than a century of amazing work to enrich the lives of blind people. All of us at LightHouse are deeply grateful for this truly transformational gift!

Thank you for your Giving Tuesday Donations

Thank you for your Giving Tuesday Donations

LightHouse is overjoyed with the outcome of this year’s Giving Tuesday! After extending the donation timeline a couple of days, our campaign, Pathways to Independence, raised $70,997.30 from 81 donors!
 
We would like to thank each and every individual as well as the organizations who contributed to this important campaign. We are deeply appreciative for your generosity and commitment to LightHouse’s mission of promoting independence, community, and equity created by and with blind and low vision people. 
 

A few special shoutouts:

  • Thank you to the LightHouse leadership and Board who together matched over $15,000 in donations.
  • Congratulations to our LightHouse/EHC swag box drawing winners, Derek and Shojiro. Thank you for your generosity!
  • And, to all of the donors who contributed $1,000 and over, look out for an invitation to a VIP Picnic at camp in Spring 2025!

All of your collective gifts will help Enchanted Hills design an innovative and accessible wayfinding system at camp that will allow all campers and visitors to EHC the ability to travel our trails, stroll the pathways, and create opportunities for blind, low vision, and Deafblind people to independently explore and experience EHC, from the leaves crunching under their feet to the Braille at their fingertips. Accessibility is just an adventure away!
 
Thank you, LightHouse community! We deeply appreciate each and every one of you. Wishing you all a beautiful holiday season!

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RSVP for the 29th Annual Lowenfeld-Akeson Early Years Symposium, on February 8

RSVP for the 29th Annual Lowenfeld-Akeson Early Years Symposium, on February 8

Photo Credit: Emmalaine Berry Photography

The 29th Annual Lowenfeld-Akeson Early Years Symposium will take place at the California School for the Blind in Fremont on February 8, from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. The purpose of this symposium is to educate service providers, families and students about new developments in the fields of pediatric ophthalmology, neurology and early childhood education of children who are blind or have low vision.
Here’s some info about the symposium:
 
Title: “Playful Pathways: Promoting Multisensory Learning with Vision Loss”

Speakers:

Dr. Shannon Beres, Pediatric Neuro-Ophthalmologist, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford
Kathee Scoggin, M.Ed., Deafblind Educational Consultant

Featuring:

  • Continental breakfast and lunch provided
  • Announcement of the 2025 recipient of the Dr. William and Ruth Silverman Partnerships in Excellence Award
  • The Judith Lesner Family Forum
  • Networking with peers

 
Purchase tickets to the 29th Annual Lowenfeld-Akeson Early Years Symposium.
 
Refund Policy: Refunds are available up to 7 days before event. Eventbrite’s fee is nonrefundable.

This event is hosted by LightHouse Little Learners, California Deafblind Services, California School for the Blind and California Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments. Questions can be directed to Jacqueline Barden by email at JBarden@old.lighthouse-sf.org or by phone at 415-694-7366.

Purchase tickets to the 29th Annual Lowenfeld-Akeson Early Years Symposium.

Enchanted Hills Camp Alumni Holiday Virtual Concert is December 19

Enchanted Hills Camp Alumni Holiday Virtual Concert is December 19

Entering our fifth year, please join former Enchanted Hills Camp staff in this holiday tradition of playing music and sharing camp stories to the LightHouse community by hosting a free virtual EHC Alumni holiday concert. Our performers have served as program staff over the years and will join current LightHouse and EHC staffers to celebrate the spirit of EHC past, present and future.
 
This year’s performers include Hannah Clemenson, who has a new EP coming out in 2025, Christina Daniels, Derek Dittmar, Shane Dittmar, Jorge Ellington, Mariana Sandoval and Masceo Williams.
 
Senior Director, Tony Fletcher says, “We hope listeners will enjoy not only the music, but also the chance to hear and see the performers that have been their counselors and area leaders at EHC over the years.”
 
Where: Enchanted Hills Camp Facebook page, and LightHouse for the Blind Facebook page, no Facebook account is necessary to view the live-streamed concert.
When: Thursday, December 19, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
 
Thanks to generous grant support, we ask that if you know you are going to be able to attend the show (no matter the duration), please send an RSVP to Andrew Martinez at AMartinez@old.lighthouse-sf.org for record keeping.

Help LightHouse Enhance Wayfinding at Enchanted Hills Camp This Giving Tuesday

Help LightHouse Enhance Wayfinding at Enchanted Hills Camp This Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday is tomorrow December 3!

This year, we’re inviting you to be a part of exciting fundraising efforts in support of LightHouse’s Pathways to Independence project. Our project goal is to raise $75,000 for wayfinding systems at Enchanted Hills Camp (EHC).
 
This essential project aims to enhance navigational accessibility across our 311-acre campgrounds through Braille signage, tactile maps, and implementation of other accessibility systems, empowering campers and visitors to travel independently, build confidence and fully participate in EHC’s immersive natural experiences.
 
Helen Schneider, Senior Project Manager at Perkins&Will, the architect and design firm that worked on the fire rebuild of camp, commented on how the rebuild process laid the groundwork for future wayfinding projects at EHC.
 
“It was really important to LightHouse that the rebuild safeguarded the camp against future wildfires, and made an environment that’s more accessible for people who are blind or have low vision. [During the rebuild process] we built a 3D model of the site so we could communicate the really diverse terrain. Anytime we were showing renderings [to the Vision Design Committee for the EHC rebuild], we would come up with a very descriptive explanation of what was shown on the screen.”
 
Jerry Kuns, a member of the Vision Design Committee who is blind said, “Working with Perkins&Will has been a wonderful experience for me. Good members of the team spent time learning a bit about how we travel. The sensitivity that was given, having people take the time to do things with us, instead of to us or for us, has been absolutely magnificent.”
 

Giving Tuesday Donation Incentives

 
We deeply appreciate every dollar amount, large or small, donated by our community on Giving Tuesday. This year, we are offering two exciting donation incentives.
 
Donate $75 or more (whether it be a one-time gift or recurring monthly gift totaling $75 or more) anytime on Giving Tuesday, and your name will be entered in a drawing for a LightHouse/EHC schwag box containing a LightHouse puffy jacket and some branded camp items.
 
Donate $1000 or more (whether it be a one-time gift or recurring monthly gift totaling $1000 or more) anytime on Giving Tuesday, and you will be invited to a special picnic at Enchanted Hills Camp in 2025.
 
Thank you for your support of Enchanted Hills Camp this Giving Tuesday.

Ready to donate now? All contributions given today will count towards Giving Tuesday. 

Donate to LightHouse for Giving Tuesday 2024.

Live Demo of Glide, AI-Powered Mobility Aid, is December 5

Live Demo of Glide, AI-Powered Mobility Aid, is December 5

What is Glide?

Glide is the world’s first intelligent guide for the blind and low vision community.

Pioneering a new category of primary mobility aids, Glide uses real-time data from an array of AI-powered advanced sensors to understand complex spaces, map the best routes, identify targets of interest, and avoid obstacles to guide you safely to your destination.

Watch the Glide introduction video below, or watch the Glide introduction video on YouTube.

What Can Glide Do?

  • Holding Glide’s ergonomic handle in one hand and walking at your own pace, Glide will simply guide you by steering its wheels.
  • With obstacle detection for both stationary and moving objects, you can confidently navigate high-traffic areas.
  • With its camera and sensors, Glide will detect and direct you to key waypoints and line-of-sight targets and apply its haptic handle and automatic braking system when you arrive.
  • As you walk, voice feedback keeps you updated on relevant details within your environment.
  • Pre-program your most frequent routes or simply start walking without a set destination in mind. Glide will keep you on a path & avoid obstacles.

Demo Day

The Glide team is thrilled to invite our Bay Area community to join us for a unique opportunity to meet the team, hear from our founder, ask questions, and get your hands on the latest Glide prototype. This is also a chance to meet fellow Gliders and connect with our incredible community of supporters, advocates, friends and more!

This Demo Day is one of many being held across the country – and eventually world – for our community, and we’re excited to be able to bring Glide to San Francisco!

Event Details

What: Guidance In-Person Demo Day

When: Thursday, December 5 (choose one of two demo sessions)

  • Session 1 – 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
  • Session 2 – 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters, 1155 Market St. 10th Floor, San Francisco (directions to LightHouse San Francisco)

RSVP: Space is limited and registration is required. RSVP online for Glidance In-Person Demo Day.

Help Latitude High Schools Students Problem-Solve in Online Focus Group, December 5

Help Latitude High Schools Students Problem-Solve in Online Focus Group, December 5

Last year, LightHouse welcomed Computer Science and Design students from Latitude High School in Oakland, who came to demo their prototypes of products to help people who are blind or have low vision.
 
Now, our partnership with Latitude High School continues with an online focus group and we invite LightHouse students to participate.
 
Latitude High School teacher, Nick Embrey, is working with a group of students through an educational program called Project Invent (projectinvent.org). His students will be studying the basics of design, coding and engineering over the next few months, and then applying what they have learned to real-life problems in the community. Latitude once again has chosen to collaborate with LightHouse to invent impactful solutions. Join the kick-off meeting which is a Q & A session for Latitude students to gather ideas for their projects and determine the needs of our community.
 
What: Focus Group for Latitude High School
When: Thursday, December 5, from 3:15 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Online via Zoom
RSVP: To get the Zoom link, email Sheri Albers, Manager, Community Education, at SAlbers@old.lighthouse-sf.org or leave your name and email address at 415-694-7331.

Save the Date: Giving Tuesday is December 3!

Save the Date: Giving Tuesday is December 3!

We’re less than three weeks away from Giving Tuesday!
 
Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving that happens on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, so this year that’s December 3. It’s a day to encourage people and organizations to donate to charitable causes, nonprofits and foundations that are making a positive impact on the world.
 
This year, LightHouse is proud to announce that all Giving Tuesday proceeds will be going to the wayfinding systems at Enchanted Hills Camp, including tactile maps, braille signage and more. These systems will help all our campers, big and small, navigate their way safely and independently along the pathways and trails of our beloved EHC grounds. Mark your calendar and stay tuned for more info about Giving Tuesday and this very special project!
 
To learn more about Giving Tuesday, please visit: www.givingtuesday.org/.

Join Us for AI Everywhere: The Invisible Thread in Our Daily Lives on December 12

Join Us for AI Everywhere: The Invisible Thread in Our Daily Lives on December 12

Join the LightHouse Access Technology team for a thought-provoking journey into the world where Artificial Intelligence (AI) seamlessly integrates into our everyday existence. This presentation, the second in our AI series, accompanied by a follow up panel discussion, will shed light on the ubiquitous nature of AI, subtly yet significantly influencing our daily lives. From the smart assistants in our homes to the sophisticated algorithms shaping our social media experiences, AI’s influence is far-reaching and often goes unnoticed.
 
We’ll examine how AI optimizes travel through navigation apps, transforms healthcare with predictive diagnoses, and tailors entertainment to individual tastes. The panel discussion will further enrich the conversation, offering diverse perspectives on how AI has become an indispensable part of our modern world, shaping decisions, preferences, and routines in ways we often overlook. Join us to uncover the everywhereness of AI and its profound impact on our daily lives.

  • AI in Daily Utilities: Delving into the role of AI in everyday tools like smart home devices, navigation systems, and online shopping experiences.
  • Social Media and Entertainment AI: Exploring AI’s influence in personalizing social media feeds and entertainment, from algorithmic news curation to movie recommendations.
  • AI in Healthcare and More: Discussing AI’s critical role in healthcare for predictive diagnostics, as well as its growing presence in finance, education, and various other sectors.
  • Panel Discussion: Engaging with experts during the panel discussion to deepen the understanding of AI’s subtle integration into our lives and its overarching influence on our daily decisions and interactions.

What: AI Everywhere: The Invisible Thread in Our Daily Lives
When: Thursday, December 12, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Pacific
Where: Hybrid event. In person at LightHouse HQ at 1155 Market St., San Francisco, or via Zoom. There will be light refreshments for those who join us in person. (Directions to LightHouse San Francisco)
RSVP: RSVP online for AI Everywhere.
Questions: Please contact Fernando Macias at FMacias@old.lighthouse-sf.org if you have any questions.

RSVP online for AI Everywhere.

The AI Odyssey series is made possible thanks to a generous grant from the Peninsula Endowment.