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Parents and Children

LightHouse News

Submissions Welcome for Collection on Disabled Moms

Are you a mom with a disability and have something to write about?

Demeter Press is seeking submissions for an edited collection on disabled mothers. The goal of this edited collection is to add to literature on mothering and disability by providing stories by disabled mothers or their children, as well as chapters of scholarly research and theorizing.

Both the stories and research in this collection are intended to raise critical questions about the social and cultural meanings of disability and mothering. Whether a birth mother, an adoptive mother, a foster mother, a co-mother, someone mothered by a disabled woman, or someone whose research explores disabled mothering, you are invited to submit to this collection.

For more information please go to:
http://www.sprc.unsw.edu.au/news-and-events/edited-collection-on-disabled-mothers-call-for-papers-1176.html

LightHouse News

Hey Kids: Review a Described Film and Win Prizes

The American Council of the Blind – Audio Description Project and the Described and Captioned Media Program recently announced their Third Annual Young Described Film Critic Contest.

If you’re a young person who can’t see or can’t see well, audio description provides access to all the visual images of the movies that your sighted peers enjoy.

Some films in movie theaters and certain DVDs have description available; many of those DVDs and the older VHS tapes with description can be borrowed at public libraries or state libraries for the blind.

The Young Described Film Critic Contest wants you to experience these films and the description soundtracks. Young people with a visual impairment have a chance to win prizes for themselves, recognition for their schools and the title of Young Described Film Critic of the Year!

All you need to do for a chance to win is write, type or record your own film review of any described movie. Keep it short: 250 words maximum.

There are three age categories: Sophomore (ages 7 to 10), Junior (ages 11 to 14) and Senior (ages 15 to 18). You can enter as many times as you like!

The top nominees in each age category will be invited to an awards ceremony at the American Council of the Blind 2011 convention in Reno, NV, during the week of July 11. Special guest award presenters will be in attendance. Prizes are still to be determined.

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: Friday, June 3, 2011

Enter online at:
http://listeningislearning.org/get-involved_events-and-contests.html

Send your written entry in regular or large print or Braille via email or postal mail (submissions from outside the United States are fine) to:

ACB-Young Described Film Critic
2200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 650
Arlington, VA 22201 USA
E-mail: jsnyder@acb.org
Phone: 202-467-5083

Include the following details:
Name
Address
Phone
Email
Age category: Sophomore (ages 7 to 10), Junior (ages 11 to 14) or Senior (ages 15 to 18)
Name of school and class
School address and phone number

For “Top Tips for Writing the Ultimate Film Review,” visit:
http://listeningislearning.org/get-involved_events-and-contests.html

Resources in the Community

Tele-support Group for Parents of Blind Children

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The Jewish Guild for the Blind is currently offering a phone-based support (tele-support) group for parents of blind or visually impaired children.

Tele-Support Groups for parents of children with visual impairment are open-ended, informative and supportive discussions of issues and topics of concern for parents raising children with visual impairment. These groups are composed of parents with children who have the same eye conditions. They are professionally facilitated and are offered at no cost to parents. They meet by phone on a weekly basis.

For more information or to register online, go to:
http://jgb.org/programs-parent-tele.asp.

LightHouse News

Enchanted Hills Camp Counselors in Training program for Blind or Visually Impaired Teens

1 Commenton Enchanted Hills Camp Counselors in Training program for Blind or Visually Impaired Teens

The Enchanted Hills Camp Counselor in Training Program (CIT) focuses on developing blind/low vision leaders through training, discussion, observation and practice under the supervision of the administrative staff at camp.

This program is designed for teens ages 16-18 years that are blind or low vision and are serious about improving their leadership skills by learning to work with children and/or adults in a rigorous camp setting. The importance in this training program is the hands on experience CITs will gain by working with campers and with the EHC counseling staff. CITs, upon completion of the Enchanted Hills Camp CIT program, will be better prepared to work with adults, their peers and children of all ages, interests, and abilities. They will also walk away with new friendships and have developed a strong work ethic that they can apply to any leadership experience. We encourage applicants with a variety of previous camping experiences to apply.

CITs are registered as campers and therefore receive no financial compensation. Food, lodging and bus transportation from our pick-up sites are provided at no cost. Space is limited and interviews will be conducted to choose the best possible candidates for the program.

Expectations of CITs
• Adhere to the policies established in the Staff Handbook
• Be a positive role-model for campers
• Communicate blindness-positive philosophy
• Demonstrate independent travel skills
• Demonstrate a strong work ethic
• Develop conflict resolution skills
• Develop leadership skills
• Meet daily with supervisor in a group setting for evaluation
• Provide a safe and healthy environment for campers
• Read from suggested best practices reading list prior to summer assignment
• Support the mission of the camp

CIT Responsibilities
• Assist counselors and Area Leaders with management of campers
• Promote Independence
• Motivate campers to use non-visual techniques
• Participate in the development of program activities designed specifically for blind campers.
• Incorporate active participation in camp meals, clean up and other daily functions through fun activities
• Communicate with staff about problems or issues that arise with campers
• Adapt all activities so that all campers can participate fully, regardless of their level of vision
• Work with counselors to resolve disciplinary issues that arise with campers
• Be active participants and assist staff during specialist, program and group time
• Assist campers in being successful with games, projects and activities
• Facilitate independence in camper participation
• Participate in activities with campers
• Assist counselors and Area Leaders in enforcing rules and instructions
• Assist in leading activities during downtime
• Assist in the set-up and facilitation of camp events such as theme days
• Serve as escorts for campers needing extra assistance
• Assume additional, reasonable responsibilities as assigned by the counselors, Area Leaders and administrative team
• HAVE FUN and BE SAFE!

For further information about the Counselor-in-Training Program, please don’t hesitate to contact Tony Fletcher, Enchanted Hills Camp Director at 415-694-7319 or afletcher@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

Resources in the Community

The Digital Network for Students with Visual Impairments: How do visually impaired students approach the new trend of digital social networks by using assistive technology?

1 Commenton The Digital Network for Students with Visual Impairments: How do visually impaired students approach the new trend of digital social networks by using assistive technology?

Sunggye Hong currently works for San Francisco State University and trains teachers of students with visual impairments and is currently seeking participants for a study.

The purpose of this study is to examine the role digital social networks play in the development of social skills of students with visual impairments and the degree to which visually impaired students are participating in such activities.

Sunggye is looking for a student who is blind or visually impaired and is 12 to 18 years old to participate in a survey study. The survey will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete and will focus on the use of digital social media such as online social networks, text messaging, and assistive technology when using such digital media.

If you have any questions or concerns at this point or in the future, or would like to know more about the study, please feel free to contact:

Sunggye Hong, Assistant Professor

Department of Special Education, San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94132
hong72@sfsu.edu
(415)338-3430

Resources in the Community

2011 Youth Slam Applications

The Youth Slam is a biennial program in its third year that gives blind high school students a week-long college immersion experience focused on exciting STEM (Sience Technology Engineering & Math) subjects like Forensics, Kineseology, Computer Science, Robotics, journalism, Rocketry, Architecture, Environmental Science, and a taste of driving via the Blind Driver Challenge.

Students will spend a school week in the dorms at Towson University from July 17-23, 2011, under the guidance of competent blind mentors, dining in the dining hall, navigating campus to get to classes, engaging in challenging and learningful academic activities, and getting a taste of independent college life, including fun evening activities.

Spaces are filling, but applications are still being accepted through March 1st.  More info about Youth Slam and the application process can be found at www.blindscience.org.

A YouTube video highlighting the 2009 Youth Slam can be found by clicking here.

Resources in the Community

2011 Through the Looking Glass Scholarship

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Through the Looking Glass and its National Center for Parents with Disabilities and their Families are pleased to announce new scholarships specifically for high school seniors or college students who have parents with disabilities.  A total of ten $1000 scholarships will be given out Fall 2011.  These scholarships are part of Through the Looking Glass’ National Center for Parents with Disabilities and their Families.  There are separate eligibility requirements for high school seniors and for college students:

1. High School Seniors. To be eligible, a student must be a high school graduate (or graduating senior) by Summer 2011, planning to attend a two-year or four-year college in Fall 2011 in pursuit of an AA, BA or BS degree, and have at least one parent with a disability.

2. College Students. To be eligible, a student must be currently enrolled in a two-year or four-year college in Fall 2011 in pursuit of an AA, BA or BS degree, be 21 years of age or younger as of  March 1, 2011, and have at least one parent with a disability.

All application materials must be postmarked by March 1, 2011.  Individuals may submit only one application per award period.

Selection criteria for all scholarships include academic performance, community activities and service, letter of recommendation and an essay describing the experience of growing up with a parent with a disability.

Please go to our website: http://www.lookingglass.org for more information, including the application form, complete application directions and an FAQ page that answers many common questions as well as offers helpful suggestions.

Resources in the Community

LightHouse Perspectives: First Ever Disability History Week in California Schools

Christina Mills, director of the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers sent out an announcement about Disability History Week in California schools. This is a first for public schools in our state, thanks to the hard work of a team of disabled youth organizers.

Click to hear to read the flyer: Announcing Disability History Week in Californai schools.

The photo banner along the top of the flyer includes portraits of Helen Keller, Ed Roberts, Paul Longmore, Lois Curtis and Frida Kahlo.

When it comes to history in the blindness community, Helen Keller is one of the best known figures. But many visually impaired people are ambivalent about the Keller legend.

In Blind Rage: An Open Letter to Helen Keller, Georgina Kleege delves into her complicated relationship with Keller. Kleege re-imagines Keller’s life story while posing hard questions to Keller as she retells true stories from her own life as an educator and artist in contemporary society. Georgina Kleege is a visually impaired novelist and Professor of English at the University of California, Berkeley.

The LightHouse recently called for nominations to rename our Enchanted Hills cabins after important persons in blindness history. Thanks to your suggestions, we compiled an impressive list of figures who are not widely known, but deserve further recognition and study.  In this list, we have the Turkish painter Esref Armagan, the British Thomas Rhodes Armitage, and the famous American abolitionist Harriet Tubman to name a few.

And today, after chatting with LightHouse CEO Bryan Bashin, I learned about Jacques Lusseyran, a blind resistance fighter in World War II. Bryan is enjoying Lusseyran’s memoir, And There Was Light.

As our public school teachers build their curriculum from one Disability History Week to the next, year after year, I hope that they really push the envelope and explore all types of writing (like Kleege’s creative nonfiction on Keller), many different voices (artists like Armagan) and many lesser recognized men and women. (Many people do not know that Harriet Tubman became blind while continuing to fight for freedom.)

The following is a short list of links to disability history information and educational materials. I have added a couple specific to blindness.

Disability Studies for Teachers.

DisabilityHistory.org

American Action Fund History of Blindness Timeline

The Unseen Minority: A Social History of Blindness in the United States

–This post was written by LightHouse Resource Specialist Amber DiPietra

LightHouse News

List of Resource Centers for Parents

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Back-to-school time brings about a new phase in kids’ lives and, if you are a parent of a visually impaired child or a child with any disability, the start of the school year might mean you have to do your homework! If you are searching for new opportunities and solutions for your child, this list of resource centers for kids with disabilities and their parents will lead you to support groups, trainings on Individual Education Plans, public policy updates, disability rights action items, social networks, education scholarships, adaptive tech grants and more.

Visit the organizations in your area and sign up for email newsletters for centers in other areas. to maximize the info you receive. There are many programs and services that parents do not know about–get in the loop so it it becomes easier to know where to look and what to ask for!
Rowell Family Empowerment of Northern California (RFENC) www.EmpowerYourFamily.org

Matrix Parent Network & Resource Center

Parents Helping Parents (PHP)

Support for Families of Children with Disabilities

Family Voices of California

Exceptional Parents Unlimited

Team of Advocates for Special Kids (TASK)

The Family Resource Centers Network of California

California Association of Family Empowerment Centers

Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers