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LightHouse News

Survey on Sidewalk Features Used to Improve Accessibility

2 Commentson Survey on Sidewalk Features Used to Improve Accessibility

Please take ten minutes before November 27 to fill out a survey that will help UC Berkeley students design sidewalks.

Excerpted from the survey:

We are landscape architecture graduate students at UC Berkeley’s College of Environmental Design. We are conducting research on preferences for the look and feel of sidewalk features that are used to improve accessibility for all pedestrians.

We are comparing patterns of preference for five (5) specific features, including the range of forms they take. Specifically:

  • Curb Extensions (bulb-outs)
  • Paving Materials
  • Planter Edges
  • Tree Grates
  • Truncated Domes

The survey can be taken online here.

LightHouse News

LightHouse White Cane Awareness Day

Over 50 people gathered on October 15 to celebrate White Cane Awareness Day with the LightHouse.

San Francisco Supervisor Katy Tang (District 4) and Chief of Police Greg Suhr with other members of his Command Staff were in attendance and participated in a guided walk around City Hall wearing sleep shades and LightHouse staff as “human guides”. (A human guide is a person who acts as a travel aid for someone who is blind or visually impaired.) LightHouse Information and Referral Specialist Beth Berenson said, “This helped them understand better what it is like to be a blind pedestrian in San Francisco and how important it is for drivers to pay attention to those using a white cane.”

White Cane Day celebrates the importance of the white cane as a tool that gives blind and low vision people the power to travel independently and safely.

Hear LightHouse CEO Bryan Bashin speak at White Cane Day.

Hear San Francisco Chief of Police Greg Suhr speak at White Cane Day.

See photos of the walk on our Facebook page.

San Francisco Chief of Police Greg Suhr speaks to the Crowd in front of City Hall

LightHouse News

Superfest Audience Votes the Worst Disability Films

Superfest 2013: The Dissies was a stupendous hit with full-to-the-rafters attendance. Folks representing every aspect of the disability community assembled in San Francisco’s Mission District to hoot, holler and heckle at some of the most abysmal representations of disability in film. Attendees enjoyed beer, wine and popcorn and mingled before and after the show, further strengthening their ties.

This year, the audience voted for and awarded seven films with a Dissie because of the films’ ridiculous portrayal of disabilities:

  • Worst Portrayal of a Disability by a Nondisabled Actor: Gene Hackman, “Young Frankenstein”
  • So Sweet (That They’re Not): Heidi, “Heidi”
  • The Most Amazing Miracle: Allan Mann, “Monkey Shines”
  • The Most Tragic: “Million Dollar Baby”
  • The Worst Disabled Villain: Dr. Strangelove, “Dr. Strangelove”
  • Crips Gone Wild!: Danny, “Blind Dating”
  • Hey – Only we can Laugh at that!: “The Ringer”

The house was packed and full of great energy. Already we’ve received many kind words and enthusiastic accolades, and the response to the survey we sent to attendees has been very positive. It was truly a diverse community event, and it can only grow from here.

Here’s a link to a short excerpt from the event, featuring LightHouse Board President Josh Miele.

Next year the LightHouse will collaborate again on Superfest with the Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability and are in discussions to shape the format and themes of next year’s event. We look forward to Superfest 2014 and hope to see you there.

LightHouse staffer Gilberto Melendez presents a Dissie award to Christina Mills, director of CFILC, who is accepting the award for Heidi in the So Sweet (That They’re Not) categoryAccessibility Consultant Scott Rains holds a Dissie award. To his left is emcee Lawrence Carter-Long

LightHouse News

Planned Gifts that Make the Most of Low Interest Rates

In the current environment of historically low interest rates, several planned gift opportunities to LightHouse for the Blind provide even greater income and tax advantages than they do at a time when the economy is growing more rapidly.

Three of these options—the retained life estate, the charitable gift annuity, and the charitable lead trust allow you to make meaningful gifts to the LightHouse and provide usable income for today’s daily expenses. And you have the immediate satisfaction of making a meaningful gift that benefits you now and the LightHouse later.

We’ve just published our new LightHouse for the Blind Planned Giving Guide. It describes these types of planned giving vehicles and others in detail, and how your gift will make the difference of lives of blind people of all ages for years to come. To receive a Planned Giving Guide in print, braille or PDF, please contact 415-694-7333 or jsachs@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

Highlights of October’s Youth Excursions

Ethan Fung, Sean McGee and Anthony Dalli holding the perfect pumpkin

The Great Pumpkin Search at Clancy Pumpkin Patch
The Lighthouse Youth program scoured the Clancy Pumpkin Patch in their quest for the Great Pumpkin. Although the Great Pumpkin was nowhere to be found, 17 blind and low vision youth had a blast searching high and low, through hay tunnels, in and around trackers, in hopes of finding the perfect pumpkin.  After a day of Hayrides and pumpkin pursuits, the group traveled back to the LightHouse for a fun afternoon of pumpkin carving and Halloween treats.

Rafting in the Rain
LightHouse Youth Program participants headed out to Lotus, California for a day of rafting on the south fork of the American River. Despite inclement weather, experienced rafters and intrepid first-timers alike still enjoyed an exciting and adventurous day on the river.

Giant Steps Horseback Riding Trip
Lighthouse Youth Program recently took a trip to the Giants Step Therapeutic Riding Center in Petaluma for an enjoyable and educational afternoon of horseback riding. Before mounting their saddles, each blind and low vision youth was taught how to groom and tack their horse.

Karaoke Night
LightHouse Youth Program’s first Karaoke Night was a huge success as future blind and low vision pop stars came out on a Friday night to show off their musical talent. The group enjoyed a festive evening of food, friends, music, and laughter as they crooned, cried, and cringed through a hilarious playlist.Youth Program Participant Katie Austin learning how to get on a horse properlySergio Lopez and Eduardo Mendez duet during Karaoke Night at the LightHouse

Raft full of Youth Program Participants celebrating a successful rapid run

LightHouse News

Dog Guides Get All Washed Up Thanks to LightHouse Dog Wash

3 Commentson Dog Guides Get All Washed Up Thanks to LightHouse Dog Wash

On a bright and warm Saturday morning LightHouse staff and volunteers, including members of the U.C. Berkeley Foresight Club (a club for college students considering a career in Optometry) got their hands, feet, and clothing full of suds at the Barks, Baths and Biscuits Dog Guide Wash. Ten happy dogs got cleaned and conditioned, but more important, a community was created. Many teams made up of our clients and their dog guides had not met before and both canine and human friendships were made. Many thanks to all who helped wash and give love to the dogs during this fun event. We plan to repeat the Dog Wash in the Spring, so watch for our announcement.

Dog Guide Dakota enjoys a thorough wash from members of the U.C. Berkeley Foresight Club

LightHouse News

Joyce Cid, Blind Camper, Throws Fabulous Fundraiser for Enchanted Hills

Last month long time camper and client of Enchanted Hills Camp, Joyce Cid, hosted V.I.B.E.S., another fabulous fundraiser in Martinez. With the help of the Ruby Red Girls, Joyce Cid raised $4,000 for next year’s Enchanted Hills Camp Youth sessions.

Over a decade ago Joyce experienced the magic of Enchanted Hills Camp. Since then, she has worked tirelessly to raise money so that blind youth and adults could experience the magic too. This year was no different. Held at Armando’s, in Martinez, over 50 people spent their afternoon mixing and mingling, bidding on auction items and baskets, enjoying the musical talents of the California School for the Blind All-Star Band and contributing in small and large ways to sending youth to Enchanted Hills Camp this coming summer. The afternoon benefit was to raise money for the youth sessions at camp this summer. Joyce Cid speaks to the crowd at her fundraiser for Enchanted Hills Camp

Many, many thanks to Joyce and the Ruby Red Girls for their dedication and pizazz. They sure know how to put on a party! Click here if you would like to donate to support Enchanted Hills.

LightHouse News

Board Member Chris Downey Appointed to California Commission on Disability Access

The LightHouse congratulates Chris Downey on his appointment to the California Commission on Disability Access. Downey, who is blind, currently serves on the Board of Directors for the LightHouse. In addition to being a principal architect at Architecture for the Blind, and a lecturer in the Department of Architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, Chris will now use his expertise in architecture and disability to make California a more accommodating state. We are fortunate to have Chris on our team, and wish him the best in this most recent of his many accomplishments.

Chris Downey at last month's White Cane Awareness Day

LightHouse News

Enchanted Hills Camp is now on Facebook – Help us Reach 500 Likes!

There is a new Facebook page especially for Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind. Help make this page a flourishing community – post your photos and testimonies. This page is not only a repository for photos of camp that bring smiles to our faces but an avenue for campers or friends of Enchanted Hills to make connections and stay in touch until next summer at EHC.

If you’re a camper or a friend of Enchanted Hills, then be sure to go to the EHC Facebook page and like us. While you are there, write something on our wall or post camp photos. And don’t forget to tell your friends about us and encourage them to like our Enchanted Hills Camp page too. EHC is the place to be, so help us get to 500 likes!

new ehc logo

LightHouse News

It’s a Tradition: LightHouse Holiday Food and Toy Drive

Please join LightHouse and the Bay Area blind community this holiday season in helping those who will really smile at our caring gifts, as we host our 2nd Annual LightHouse Food and Toy Drive. From November 1st through December 15th LightHouse will be collecting canned and dried food goods for the San Francisco Food Bank, as well as unwrapped toys for Blind Babies Foundation (a partial list of suggested toys that have been proven to be some of the most stimulating for blind and low vision infants and toddlers can be found below). New toys in original packaging are greatly appreciated. To ensure families and children receive the toys in time for the holidays, LightHouse humbly requests that all toy donations be made by December 1 to ensure a December 2nd delivery to Blind Babies.

Barrels for both food and toys will be located in the downstairs lobby of LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters at 214 Van Ness Ave. Building off of last year’s success, we hope to collect at least 300 pounds of food and three barrels of toys this year. Each donor will be registered to win a $25.00 gift certificate through Adaptations, the LightHouse store.

Together we can make the holidays shine a little brighter for those in need. For more information, please contact John Liang, Director of Community Services at (415) 694-7334 or jliang@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

The following is a list of suggested toys for blind and low vision infants and toddlers: