Counseling staff, kitchen staff and volunteers pose in green camp t-shirts with Camp Director Tony Fletcher (in black shirt). Over 60 percent of our camp staff are blind or visually impaired. Most live in the Bay Area but some come as far away as North Carolina and Maryland.
If you’re a blind or low vision youth between the ages of 8 and 18, we’d like to invite you to join us as we head over to AT&T Park on August 8th for a fun-filled afternoon of World Champion Giants Baseball. Help us cheer on Buster and the boys in orange and black as they take on the Milwaukee Brewers.
Space is limited to 6 Participants. Please RSVP by August 5.
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.
Who: Blind and Low Vision Youth, Ages 8-18
What: San Francisco Giants vs. Milwaukee Brewers game
When: August 8th, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (game time is 12:45 p.m.)
Where: Meet at LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters at 214 Van Ness Ave and travel to AT&T Park, 24 Willie Mays Plaza.
Transportation: We will leave the LightHouse at 11:00 a.m. sharp and travel to AT&T park via Muni line KT.
Cost: Tickets are $20.00 per participant and must be paid in advance to reserve ticket. Additional cash is recommended but not required for snacks and/or memorabilia at the Park.
Waiver: Lighthouse Liability Wavier must be filled out and submitted for each participant.
RSVP: Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator at jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org or (415) 694-7372.
Things to Bring
The LightHouse has provided KNBR radio station with brailled copies of the Giants 2013 game schedule and there are still copies available. If you’d like a copy, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:
KNBR Promotions-Braille Schedule
55 Hawthorne Street, Suite #1000
San Francisco, CA 94105
We are coming off the heels of the June Changing Vision Changing Life Class with great enthusiasm and can’t wait until September 8 for our next class to begin. Will you be there?
What: Changing Life Changing Vision Immersion training at Enchanted Hills Camp
When: Sunday, September 8 through Friday, September 13
The Changing Life Changing Vision Immersion training brings together up to 18 low vision and blind adults from all over Northern California to learn basic, yet essential daily living skills; an introduction to braille and access technology; cane travel and mobility basics, and most important, the connection to other students who are also there to learn.
Throughout the week students have the opportunity to mingle, share and connect with each other, bringing their special skills, professional connections, and personal insights to their adjustment-to-blindness process. The key to this week of training and immersion is the personal commitment and openness to learning each student makes to him/herself and their peers. The fusion of student commitment and the passion and experience of our seasoned teaching staff allow learning and personal growth to occur.
Perla Kohs wrote us a touching letter of appreciation after participating as a student in our June immersion training. She said, “Staff members were always available to us, offering extra help and encouragement at every moment…As my vision has slowly diminished due to retinitis pigmentosa, I have become more increasingly isolated and reliant on others. With the skills, the inspirational role models and the support gleaned from [this] training experience, I feel more determined and confident that I can continue on the path to greater independence. Now I see that a person with severe vision impairment or blindness has tools and community and can live an active, happy and rewarding life. This is a vision of blindness I don’t think I could have achieved without the week of training and support at Enchanted Hills Retreat.”
Another student, Greg, wrote about his experience: “My time here was informative, scary, exhilarating, tiring, fun, and eye-opening (no pun intended); overall… FANTASTIC! I’m re-energized and looking forward to what’s ahead. I will always be grateful for my experience!”
Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to learn and connect with other students, while enjoying the fresh air, tall redwoods and delicious, healthy meals at Enchanted Hills. The next Changing Vision, Changing Life Immersion Retreat and Training is September 8 through 13. For more information, please call Debbie Bacon at 415-694-7375 or e-mail dbacon@old.lighthouse-sf.org. Del Norte and Humboldt county residents may call Janet Pomerantz at 707-268-5646 and e-mail jpomerantz@old.lighthouse-sf.org.
Come enjoy an exciting kayak excursion at the Willow Creek Recreation Area with LightHouse for the Blind!
We’ll meet on Saturday, August 10th at 8:30 a.m., in front of the LightHouse at Ed Roberts Campus located at 3075 Adeline St. in Berkeley. Please arrive on time. At Willow Creek Recreation Area in Folsom, we’ll meet our experienced kayak guides for a lesson that runs from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. We’ll learn kayak safety, paddling techniques, equipment prep and clean up. After a full day of kayaking, we’ll join former LightHouse Board Member Margie Donovan at her home near Sacramento for a barbecue before heading back to the Bay Area. We expect to return to the Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley at approximately 7:00 p.m.
Please note: Space is limited to 8 participants, and the deadline to register is August 5.
For more information or to RSVP for this event, please contact Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator for the San Francisco LightHouse at (415) 694-7372 or by email at jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org.
LightHouse Kayak Trip
Who: Blind and Low Vision Youth, ages 8-18
When: August 10, 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Kayak Lessons 11:00 to 3:00 p.m.)
Where: Meet at LightHouse at the Ed Roberts Campus, 3075 Adeline St. in Berkeley, shuttle to Willow Creek Recreation Area near Sacramento
Transportation: Shuttle to will leave promptly at 9:00 a.m. from Ed Roberts Campus
Cost: $40.00 per participant. Cost includes kayak rental, transportation, and barbecue. Note: We must receive your payment to guarantee your spot.
Waiver: LightHouse Liability Waiver must be filled out and submitted for each participant.
RSVP to: Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator at jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org or (415) 694-7372. Space is limited to 8 participants. Please register by August 5.
Things to Bring
Newsletter of the LightHouse for the Blind & Visually Impaired
Employment Immersion New Hires, Superfest 2013, Enchanted Hills Camp Pool Party & Open House, New Staff BJ Epstein and Connie Conley-Jung, and more…
For one week in June, fifteen enthusiastic students participated in a life changing, immersion session at Enchanted Hills Retreat in Napa. Blind and low vision adults from all over Northern California, including five from the North Coast, got a jump start on a life not limited by blindness. Throughout the week, students were introduced to a number of options for living and working independently and each person went home with a unique plan for what they wanted or needed to do next.
The students learned basic essential daily living skills, braille, and dove into access technology solutions. To increase their confidence and safety, they also received a cane and some basic Orientation and Mobility training, enabling them to travel through their home and work environments with skill and grace.
Three of the participants had previous training and were here to gain work experience in their fields of interest: food service, access technology and community advocacy. The three also served as peer mentors to new students while furthering their skills.
The key to the success of this week of immersion was the fusion of each student’s personal commitment to the process and openness to learning, fostered by our passionate and experienced staff.
Our keynote speaker was Margie Donovan, a past LightHouse Board Member and former Visual Impairment Services Team Coordinator for the VA in San Francisco who described her experiences as a blind Enchanted Hills Camper and about connecting with her peers and learning from them. She focused on how embracing challenges and being open to taking risks leads to being as independent as you want to be.
Our other exceptional facilitators included, Julie Bentley, Certified Life Coach; Haruyo Nishimura, Blind Field Services Counselor from the Department of Rehabilitation; and Theresa Stern and Jane Nagli from Guide Dogs for the Blind Student Outreach and Alumni Services. Volunteers Nanako Yamada, Dr. Richard Wolf and Lorraine Miller-Wolf provided their own expertise in the areas of teaching, taking care of the one’s health and exploring creative outlets.
Throughout the week students had the opportunity to mingle, share and connect with each other, bringing their perspective, professional connections, and personal insights to the environment of learning. They came from all walks of life: employed, retired, students and still ‘undecided.’ Represented were artists, chefs, teachers, nurses, entrepreneurs, mothers, partners and friends. They came from as far south as Los Gatos and north to Crescent City.
Despite their diverse backgrounds, the participants discovered common ground. They found they are authors of their own narratives no matter what their eye condition, and no matter what other health conditions intersected their lives. With the adaptive skills and training learned during the week, they are ready to take risks and take charge of their lives.
Another training session is coming up! Join us. The next Changing Vision, Changing Life Immersion Retreat and Training will be held in September 2013, amidst the redwoods and fresh air of LightHouse’s Enchanted Hills Retreat.
For more information, please contact Debbie Bacon at 415-694-7375 or dbacon@old.lighthouse-sf.org. Del Norte and Humboldt county residents please contact Janet Pomerantz at 707-268-5646 or jpomerantz@old.lighthouse-sf.org.
Ever wonder how you could spend a day meandering alone through Muir Woods soaking in the solitude and beauty? Have you ever wanted to take your family on an educational trip to Alcatraz Island? Was the only thing preventing you from the mystique of Muir woods or the confining walls of Alcatraz your blindness? If so, your vision is no longer an excuse not to go.
The Access to Information Services (AIS) department of the LightHouse has worked in partnership with the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) to make local national parks more accessible than ever. We’ve produced a number of braille brochures and tactile trail maps for GGNRA and consulted on such things as audio tours and topographic maps. The LightHouse has even provided training to GGNRA personnel on providing access and accommodation to people with disabilities.
The LightHouse would like to thank GGNRA’s Michael Faw, Accessibility and Media Specialist, for spearheading their quest in excellence and accessibility.
We’ve listed below the GGNRA locations where access has been increased. The list also includes the accessibility features that exist. But accessibility doesn’t stop there. Coming soon you will find increased accessibility with a topographic map of Land’s End installed on site, a Junior Ranger Activity Guide for Muir Beach Quest and Ocean Stewardship and much, much more.
For more information or to make your attraction more accessible, contact Director of Access to Information Services Greg Kehret at 415-694-7349 or gkehret@old.lighthouse-sf.org.
Note: All of the GGNRA’s accessibility information is available at http://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm, broken down by both types of accessibility programs and by geographic locations. All of the audio described brochures and cell phone tours are available for download at http://www.nps.gov/goga/photosmultimedia/audio.htm.
Golden Gate National Recreation Area: audio described, online (new brochure in development by Harpers Ferry staff, will include braille and large print on publication)
Muir Woods: large print, braille and tactile map (available at the Muir Woods Visitors Center), audio described (onsite and online)
Fort Point: large print, Braille (ask any ranger at the Fort), audio described (online download)
Under Three Flags (Presidio): large print, braille and tactile map (available at the Presidio Visitors Center), audio described (online download)
The Natural Presidio: large print, braille and tactile map (available at the Presidio Visitors Center), audio described (online download)
Fort Point Audio Tour: online only, with downloadable text file also available
Point Bonita Lighthouse Cell Phone Tour: onsite, or downloadable from website
Fort Baker Cell Phone Tour: onsite, or downloadable from website, along with site map, with downloadable text file also available, large print, braille (at the Marin Headlands Visitors Center)
Lands End Lookout: audio described exhibit tour onsite, or downloadable from website
Volunteers in Parks: audio described, or downloadable from website
Philippine War Audio Walking Tour: downloadable from website, along with site map
Alcatraz Junior Ranger Brochure: large print (ask at the information kiosk near the dock on Alcatraz), downloadable from website
Fort Mason Center History Tour: large print (available at the Presidio Visitors Center), downloadable from website
Fort Mason: tactile map with printed and braille labels (available at the Presidio Visitors Center)
Earlier this month a large group of LightHouse Board and staff members were honored to be invited to tour the Exploratorium at its new home on Pier 15 in San Francisco.
“What thrilled me about the exhibitions,” said Frank Welte, LightHouse Information and Referral Specialist, “is that because the Exploratorium is an interactive museum, it lends itself to promoting full accessibility for people who are blind or visually impaired. For example, most of the exhibits allow a person to touch them and many of the exhibits also have an audio or tactile component. I believe the museum staff has the creativity and enthusiasm to discover ways to bring access to the visual elements.”
For example, the group examined an exhibit where live data is collected every hour on the changing tide in San Francisco bay. The data is fed into a machine that cuts small pieces of plastic into different shapes based on the data, plastic pieces that represent the tidal patterns. Frank said, “I could feel the changes in the patterns as the tide changed. You can read from left to right and see what the patterns are over months.”
There was also a discussion about ways to improve and increase the accessibility of the exhibits. Frank told us, “We had a very wide ranging and energetic dialogue between LightHouse and the Exploratorium staff about ways the exhibits could be modified to make them accessible to all visitors including those with disabilities.”
The Exploratorium’s new location is much more accessible to disabled visitors because it is much easier to get to. There is an F streetcar stop right in front of it. Frank said, “The Exploratorium is a museum that draws visitors right into their exhibits, much more than a traditional “behind glass” type museum will. More than that, it’s a museum that welcomes blind and visually impaired visitors.”
See additional photos of our Exploratorium visit.
We still have spaces available in our youth sessions:
Kids Session (Kids 3rd through 8th grade): July 15 – July 21 
Teen Session (Kids 9th through 12th grade): July 28 – Aug 3
Our youth sessions are more popular than ever and there’s still room for your child or teen. Remember, for blind or visually-impaired kids under the age of 18 the LightHouse provides an entire session for only a $60 registration fee.
For more information or to guarantee a spot for your child please visit the Enchanted Hills Camp 2013 page on our website. For questions please call us at 415-694-7310 or email us at EHC@old.lighthouse-sf.org.
