Category Archive

LightHouse News

LightHouse News

March 12th is Family Fun Night with our Youth Program

The LightHouse Youth Program cordially invites you and your family to join us for a Family Fun Night in March. The evening will include games and competitions that family members of all ages and abilities will enjoy, so you’ll have a blast competing in all sorts of fun and silly challenges. We’ll serve a pot-luck dinner, so bring your favorite family dish to share with everyone!

Gathering blind and sighted family members together is not just a great excuse to throw a party (though we love that). Family Fun Night gives blind and sighted parents and kids a chance to learn from each other and be role models for each other.

Who: Youth who are blind or have low vision and their families
What: Potluck and Family Game Night
When: Saturday March 12, from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m.
Where: LightHouse, San Francisco Headquarters
Cost: FREE
What to bring: Potluck contribution and lots of energy
Waiver: Each youth participant must fill out and submit a LightHouse Youth Program Application if they have not done so already.

For more information or to RSVP for this event please contact Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator, at (415) 694-7372 or by email at jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

Youth Program Welcomes Wells Fargo for a Youth Money Management Seminar

Join your friends from the LightHouse Youth Program for our first ever Money Management Seminar. Students that participate in this workshop will learn about some of the basic concepts of money management that can help them become financially successful. Our discussion will include but will not be limited to: budgets, making budgets, credits score, building credit and so much more!

Who: Youth who are blind or have low vision (recommended age range: 14 to 24 years old)
What: Two hour workshop in which students will learn basic concepts that will help them become more financially successful.
When: Saturday, March 12, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Where: LightHouse, San Francisco Headquarters
Waiver: Each participant must submit a LightHouse Youth Program waiver form if they have not done so for a previous outing or event.
Cost: FREE for low vision and blind youth.
What to bring: Note taking equipment

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator, at (415) 694-7372, or by email at jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

Start your Spring With our Most Beautiful Bicycling Fundraiser Ever!

Cycle for Sight riders on a tandem bicycleCycle for Sight, our annual cycling fundraiser to support Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind, is next month

Ride with Us: Join Team LightHouse
The team is forming right now and excited to ride. Among those enlisted are Margie Donovan, Mike May, Mark Smethers, James Clearey and Chris Downey, to name a few ride veterans.

You don’t have to ride together, but together you’ll support the programs of Enchanted Hills Camp. So be sure to write in “Team LightHouse’ when you register online and Enchanted Hills will get all the credit.

What:  Enjoy the beauty of Napa and the challenge of a 15, 25 or 50 mile bike ride with 2,000 other cyclists.
When: Saturday, April 16
Where: The ride starts and finishes at Justin Siena High School, 4026 Maher Street, Napa, CA 94558, where the Wine and Music Festival will be in full swing! During the festival enjoy wine tasting from Napa Valley wineries, beer tasting from local microbreweries and local cuisine from Napa Valley restaurants, all while listening and dancing to the sounds of “Pride and Joy”.
How: Go to www.cycle4sight.com for route information, start times and to register.

Ride independently or on a tandem
Enchanted Hills Camp Director Tony Fletcher is helping pair pilots and stokers. Contact him at tfletcher@old.lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7319.

Ride for Us: Raise Funds for Camp
Team members will raise vital funds for Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind…and get a snazzy t-shirt! Ask your friends, neighbors and family if they will help support our efforts by sponsoring you in the ride. Raise $300 or more and receive a free stay the evening before the ride at Enchanted Hills including meals. There’s also a prize for the person who raises the most contributions. Here is a letter for you to personalize and begin fundraising for Enchanted Hills Camp now.

Can’t Ride with Us? You can still Support the Team
Show your support to an individual rider or the whole Team. Go to old.lighthouse-sf.org/donate and choose Cycle for Sight as your designation. Thank you for supporting Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind.

LightHouse News, Open Call

Next Week: Jump Into the Job Market with LightHouse Link

LightHouse Link Close-up of handshake of business partners

Next week, LightHouse for the Blind will kick off a new partnership series called LightHouse Link. If you’re blind or have low vision and you’re ready to work, get your resume ready.

Of all the challenges facing blind Americans, arguably the number one issue is employment, or the lack thereof. With an unemployment rate hovering above sixty percent, most people who become blind would be forgiven for thinking there’s no place in the job market for them — but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

That’s why, as part of the next step in our growing Employment program, we’re now facilitating real, face-to-face job interviews for blind jobseekers, linking them up directly with prominent employers in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.

LightHouse Link is a foot in the door for people with skills, enthusiasm, and a desire to work who also happen to be blind or have low vision. With each new LightHouse Link opportunity, we will put qualified applicants in a room with hiring managers, and start chipping away at that unpleasant statistic, one hire at a time.

 

What’s the Job?

Our first Link opportunity is with a large local customer service and sales contact center right here in the heart of the Bay Area, only a few minutes from BART and public transit. The company’s leadership, all the way up to the VP of HR, understands that employees who are blind or have low vision are not only competent and capable, but are creative, loyal and reliable.

This job opportunity is not about “closing” sales, but rather is about following up with interested parties, educating customers on benefits of various products, and walking them through their options. Hirees will be thoroughly trained for the position and accommodations for various vision levels can be made.

The job will start at an hourly wage with potential for commission and raises in pay over time. The position includes full medical benefits as well as dental and vision at reduced premiums. Anyone with a high school diploma or GED is welcome to apply.

A consumer-friendly attitude is the most important qualification for this position; direct customer service experience is not necessarily required. After the LightHouse has pre-qualified candidates, they will be taken through a formal interview process conducted by the company.

How do I apply for this job?

To be considered for a LightHouse Link interview, email your resume to kwilliams@old.lighthouse-sf.org. Interviews begin next week (first week of March), so don’t hesitate if you think this opportunity might be right for you. Though an interview is not guaranteed to all who apply, sending your resumé  to our employment program manager Kate Williams is the crucial first step.

What if I’m not quite ready to work?

That’s quite alright — and we might be able to help. As part of our core services at LightHouse for the Blind, we offer Employment Immersion, a multi-week small-group intensive course designed to help people who are blind or have low vision figure out what they want to do and how to get there. Contact kwilliams@old.lighthouse-sf.org and we will get you set up for success.

Like the rest of the job market, LightHouse Link will move fast; so when we post a new link opportunity, expect a quick turn-around time. This first program will continue into next week, but we can’t guarantee consideration for this specific position unless you respond by March 2 to kwilliams@old.lighthouse-sf.org and express your desire to interview.

Good luck, and see you after the interview!

Blog Bits, LightHouse News

Every Pixar Film Is Now Accessible with Mobile Audio Description from Disney

10 Commentson Every Pixar Film Is Now Accessible with Mobile Audio Description from Disney

Sixteen Disney Pixar titles now available with mobile audio description for the blind

Audio Description — the extra audio track that narrates film action for people who are blind or have low vision — has been around for decades, but even if you’re blind, you might not use it. Why? Ironically, often the problem with audio description is not really the audio description. The problem is in how AD is delivered — or rather, not delivered. For years, the LightHouse has heard and advocated for blind filmgoers who simply aren’t able to pay for their movie and enjoy it in the format of their choice. If you’re blind at the movies, you know about the broken receivers, the strange formats, poor public education and training, and the many other intervening factors that have continually stymied AD availability across movie theaters and in-home systems, ultimately stonewalling the blind film-watching experience.

Starting today, that’s changing. With a new, major update to the Disney Movies Anywhere app, you can now take control of your own personal audio descriptive track, on your own smartphone, on your own terms.

This brand new, free, mobile audio description from Disney Movies Anywhere is smart and user-friendly; it listens and syncs automatically with their films (starting with the sixteen classic Disney•Pixar titles), including today’s home release of The Good Dinosaur. In accomplishing this, Disney•Pixar is leading the way for accessible films; and soon, we at the LightHouse are confident that this mobile Audio Description experience will be possible for all movies, everywhere.

Disney Movies Anywhere - click to download from iTunesA project that originated at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville and was taken on by the engineers at Disney, this new accessibility system using an app and a smartphone to access audio description is not only a passion project for the good folks at these companies, but Pixar and Disney have seen to it that key members of the blindness community have been given a chance to provide early and influential developmental feedback every step of the way. In this regard, the LightHouse has contributed feedback, tested for quality assurance, and now we’re proud to help spread the word.

At an event at Pixar in December, part of an unprecedented and ongoing collaboration between LightHouse for the Blind, the Blind Babies Foundation and Guide Dogs for the Blind, we invited nearly 200 blind people from organizations all around the Bay Area to download the app to their iPhones and iPads and test out the technology at a private, red carpet screening of The Good Dinosaur. The response was universal acclaim. The app’s beta version worked seamlessly. People both blind and sighted left the event joyously; celebrating the idea of being able to go back to the movie theater or watch a movie in their homes exactly the way they want.

How Does It Work?

It’s incredibly simple. If you already have a Pixar film that you’d like to watch with audio description, all you have to do is go to the app store and download the Disney Movies Anywhere app. When your movie starts playing (on a separate device or television), open up the app and locate the film. Then click “sync and play audio,” and the rest is done for you. Note that currently this works only for those running iOS 7 or later, with more platforms to come.

For more detailed instructions, visit Disney’s website, or download this special fact sheet to get you started.

What’s Next

More access audio description! This not only means Disney•Pixar is making their movies more personally accessible, but will require the participation of other film studios and distributors to help the blindness community promote accessible movie systems that work and are controlled by the user.

Just because Disney is the first movie studio to take the delivery method of audio description seriously, doesn’t mean it’ll be the only one. There are 285 million visually impaired people in the world — that’s 285 million people who, if given an accessible way to enjoy great movies, would be fans and customers for life.

This spring, we’ll be introducing mainstream audiences to this and other great new accessible technologies at a number of conferences, starting with a special LightHouse panel at SXSW on March 15. More on that soon, so stay tuned.

How Can I Help?

The best thing you can do is spread the word and send us feedback. There are lots of blind people out there who don’t think audio description is for them, many because they’ve never had a positive, easy experience getting it set up and calibrated. With these barriers gone, Pixar’s sixteen world-class titles are now accessible in a whole new way.

The LightHouse knows that nothing comes out perfectly the first time, and we’re already hard at work identifying new kinks and challenges in this brand new technology to make sure that the next version of the app is even better. To this tune, our friends at Pixar have set up a special feedback email address so that you can sound off with your comments, observations and helpful feedback. Just send an email to dmaappfeedback@pixar.com.

To contact us for inquiries about this or any of LightHouse for the Blind’s many technology initiatives, email press@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

Ever Had Trouble at an AMC Theater?

Regular movie-goers may not be surprised to hear that often, audio description for blind individuals doesn’t work. According to the ADA, places of public accommodation must ensure that services such as audio description are readily provided when available, and yet often enough, major theater chains fail to deliver. That’s why firms such as DRA are now looking for individuals across the country who have had such negative experiences, to hear their stories. Here’s the official announcement from DRA and RBGG:

Disability Rights Advocates, a national nonprofit legal center based in Berkeley, California, and Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld, a law firm based in San Francisco experienced with disability rights issues, are investigating complaints from blind individuals who have been unable to use audio description services at American Multi-Cinema, Inc. (“AMC”) movie theaters. We are interested in speaking with legally blind individuals who have encountered problems when attempting to use audio description services at AMC theaters.

Audio description refers to recorded audio that provides synchronized descriptions of a movie’s key visual details during natural pauses in dialog during the movie. Many popular films are released with the audio description feature. Movie theaters provide access to audio description by issuing upon request wireless handsets and headphones that play the audio description track during the movie. This configuration allows blind customers to listen to both the dialog and sound effects in a movie and descriptions of the visual aspects of the film.

If you are legally blind and you have been unable to access audio description services at AMC theaters because the audio description equipment was malfunctioning, because AMC staff did not know how to configure the audio description equipment, or for any other reason, we would appreciate speaking with you about your experiences. To share your experiences, please contact Charlotte Landes by phone at (415) 433-6830 or by e-mail at clandes@rbgg.com or Julia Marks by phone at (510) 665-8644 or by e-mail at jmarks@dralegal.org.

 

LightHouse News

New Session Announcement: LightHouse Youth Employment Series

In January, the LightHouse Youth Program launched the latest program for low vision and blind transition aged students. The informative new series of monthly workshops will provide low vision and blind transition-aged youth with vital skills and practices that will help them become more successful in higher education and their chosen career path.

Through a variety of speakers and collaborative activities led by successful blind or low vision professionals, students will gain invaluable wisdom that can help them grow and shape themselves into competent blind adults.

Our February 20 session, “Accommodations,” is now open for enrollment. To enroll, email lmartinez@old.lighthouse-sf.org or call 415-694-7350.

Topics that will be discussed during these workshops include but are not limited to:

  • Effectively navigate through any system to ensure you receive necessary accommodations.
  • Learn about accommodations available to college students and those entering the workforce.
  • Acquire access technology skills which can be applied to real world situations, and test how effective these technologies might be for yourself.
  • Acquire and use blindness skills that will enrich your life and help you achieve your goals, be more confident and learn how to advocate for your needs.
  • How to smoothly transition into college from high school or from college to a career.
  • Develop Effective cover letters and resumes.
  • Practice networking, participate in mock interviews, and understand how to make a strong and positive first impression.
  • Learn how to develop, enhance and utilize your network and your relationship with peers and mentors.
  • And learn much more!

 

Who is eligible?

Low Vision and Blind youth and transition-aged students

What is the LightHouse Youth Employment Series?

A series of day long workshops designed to help low vision or blind transition aged students to be prepared to become successfully employed.

When and where will the workshops be held?

9:00 am until 4:00 pm on the following Saturdays: February 20, March 26, April 30 and May 21. These workshops will be held at the LightHouse headquarters.

Is there a cost?

The cost to attend one of the LightHouse Youth Employment Series workshops is $150 per student. In addition to the day’s activities and curriculum, students will receive a light breakfast, lunch and refreshments throughout the day. DOR authorizations or alternate payment source must be secured before students will be eligible to participate.

 

February’s event:

Accommodations

Saturday, February 20

What is an accommodation? Is the accommodation you are asking for reasonable? Want to learn more about how successful low vision and blind professionals get the necessary accommodations they need to get the job done? During this February’s workshop students will learn about how successful and independent low vision and blind individuals get the necessary accommodations to be successful in college, there career and in life. Students will also learn what might be the best accommodations for their needs whether it is a high tech or low tech solution by participating in hands on demonstrations by professionals that use the accommodations regularly.

 

Save the Date

Saturday, March 19, 2016

Our March workshop, College Connections, will focus on information and resources that will help high school and college students be more successful in higher education. Students that participate in this workshop will walk away with valuable wisdom from current students and recent graduates about how best to navigate the college system.

For more information on LightHouse YES

LightHouse News

LightHouse YES: a New Youth Employment Series through May 2016

1 Commenton LightHouse YES: a New Youth Employment Series through May 2016

LightHouse YES is a new series of day long workshops designed to help low vision or blind transition-aged students prepare to become successfully employed.

This informative new series will provide youth with vital skills and practices that will help them become more successful in higher education and their chosen career path.

Next Workshop: Assessing Ones Talents and Accommodation Requirements
When: Saturday, February 20, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters
During this workshop, students will learn how to assess their skills and needs in order to get the most appropriate accommodations for school, work and beyond.  A more in-depth description of February’s workshop will be available shortly.

Launched in January, Our first segment of our new LightHouse Youth Employment Series consisted of an in-depth discussion about career exploration. Students learned about all sorts of careers from successful low vision and blind individuals in a wide variety of fields. At the end of this workshop, students gained techniques and methods they can use to research career paths so that they can attempt to find the best job suited to them.

If you would like more information or to register for the workshop please contact Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator, at 415-694-7372 or by email at jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

Save the Dates for Future Youth Employment Series Workshops
Through a variety of speakers and collaborative activities led by successful blind or low vision professionals, students will gain invaluable wisdom that can help them grow and shape themselves into competent blind adults.

Held at LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters
9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on the following Saturdays: January 30, February 20, March 26, April 30 and May 21

These workshops will teach students to:

  • Effectively navigate through any system to ensure you receive necessary accommodations.
  • Learn about accommodations available to college students and those entering the workforce.
  • Acquire access technology skills which can be applied to real world situations, and test how effective these technologies might be for yourself.
  • Acquire and use blindness skills that will enrich your life and help you achieve your goals, be more confident and learn how to advocate for your needs.
  • How to transition smoothly into college from high school or from college to a career.
  • Develop Effective cover letters and resumes.
  • Practice networking, participate in mock interviews, and understand how to make a strong and positive first impression.
  • Learn how to develop, enhance and utilize your network and your relationship with peers and mentors.

Who is eligible?
Low Vision and Blind youth and transition-aged students.

Is there a cost?
There is no cost to attend one of the LightHouse Youth Employment Series workshops if a student obtains prior DOR authorization, otherwise it is $150. In addition to the day’s activities and curriculum, students will receive a light breakfast, lunch and refreshments throughout the day. DOR authorizations or alternate payment source must be secured before students will be eligible to participate.

LightHouse News

LightHouse Spotlight – Focus on Employment

image of a spotlightAt the LightHouse, we pride ourselves on offering a great variety of programs, services, initiatives and products, all towards the ultimate goal of our community members building full and satisfying lives. Beginning in February 2016, we will launch LightHouse Spotlight, a bimonthly opportunity for you to learn about our broad scope of work. Lively, engaging presentations will be followed by Q&A, discussion, and where appropriate, hands-on interaction. We’ll close each Spotlight session with light refreshments, a great way to mingle with us and with other members of the blindness community.

Our inaugural LightHouse Spotlight will focus on our Employment Services Department. Program staff will verbally walk you through the journey of program participants, and graduates of our successful Employment Immersion class will share their experiences and success stories. Come join us, and find out how the LightHouse Employment Services department can support you.

What: LightHouse Spotlight – Employment Services
Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters – 214 Van Ness Ave. San Francisco
When: Friday, February 26, 3:00 to 5:30 p.m.
Please RSVP to Beth Berenson at info@old.lighthouse-sf.org or 415-431-1481.