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1. Census Alert: Important Information
about Your Census Form
Blind Americans can
complete the Census in a number of ways:
-- By Phone: Call the Census toll free help line at 1-866-872-6868 and request
a representative. A Census worker will
complete the Census Short Form over the phone between April
12 and 21. You may be asked for your 20-digit Census Identification Number,
which is located on the bar code below your mailing label. The U.S. Census will
likely continue to receive telephone submissions after April
21, but fewer representatives will be available to take data in this manner.
-- At Home: You may schedule a home visit by a
Census worker by calling (toll free) 1-866-872-6868. Census workers will be
deployed to conduct home visits in May and June. Though the U.S. Census
attempts to send representatives to every home that failed to mail in a form,
it is unlikely they will reach every American.
Thus scheduling a visit by calling the Help Line guarantees a visit to your
home.
-- In Person: Individuals can visit Census Questionnaire Centers in person for
assistance with completing their forms. To locate your local office, visit http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/bcqac-textview.php and enter your zip code.
-- As a Group: chapters and affiliates can
request that a Census Partnership Specialist conduct a Census workshop and
provide survey completion assistance for a group. Individuals will be required
to bring the Census form they received in the mail because it lists their
Census Identification Numbers below the bar code on the address label. To find
your local Census Partnership Office, visit http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/bcqac-textview.php.
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2. Team LightHouse: San Francisco Half-Marathon
Are
you a runner or walker? Have you always wanted to run a half-marathon? Are you
passionate about the LightHouse?
If
you answered "yes" to any of those questions, let us know!
We're putting
together a team of supporters to train for the San Francisco Half-Marathon in
February 2011 and raise funds for the LightHouse in the process. If you sign up,
you'll receive a comprehensive three-month winter training plan, including access to
group training runs, email updates and the supportive team environment of
others like you, getting fit for a good cause! You'll be asked to raise a
minimum of $1,300 from friends, family and colleagues in support of your
participation. We will also work with anyone interested in being paired with a
guide runner.
Email
jyeagley@lighthouse-sf.org if you're interested in being a part of this fun
fitness opportunity.
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3. Work Adjustment Training Program
The LightHouse is
gearing up for another busy summer, offering employment opportunities for blind
and visually impaired youth ages 16 - 22. We will offer qualified youth paid
positions both at the LightHouse and at partner organizations throughout the
community, giving many of the participants their first employment experience.
Alongside the paid employment opportunity we offer, youth
will also meet weekly with their peers in the program and program leaders to
tackle critical career development skills like communication, teamwork and
professional appearance. This project is a component of our broader employment
initiatives, which include providing time-limited, paid trainee positions for
qualified individuals of all ages and paid LightHouse staff positions at all
levels of the agency. For more information contact Arlena Winn, Transition Employment Coordinator, at
awinn@lighthouse-sf.org.
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4. Accessibility Highlights
- Blackboard Learn Platform
Brings Accessibility Enhancements for the Blind
Blackboard Learn, an
online learning platform, is used by thousands of institutions to provide
online education, course materials, discussion boards, assignment submissions,
electronic grading and numerous other features that enhance the
learning experience or provide distance education. Previously, blind
students encountered a number of accessibility barriers when using the
Blackboard platform with non-visual screen access technology, but Blackboard has made efforts to improve its accessibility. Click here to learn more.
- It's Normal: Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the ADA
The Independent Living
Resource Center of San Francisco, in conjunction with the Mayor's Office on
Disability, has launched an online campaign to gather support for a Statement
of Values concerning those with disabilities. Click here to read the statement and to sign it.
- Bank of America's
18,000-Plus Talking ATMs
On March 31, 2010, Bank of America announced that all of its ATMs
are now accessible to the blind and visually impaired. Click here for more information about Bank of America's talking ATMs.
- San
Francisco Leads Nation in Installing Accessible Pedestrian
Signals (APS)
The city of San Francisco has led the charge in making street crossings more
accessible to those who are blind, visually impaired and deaf-blind. Click here for more information about the status of APS in San Francisco.
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5. Join Us At Cycle For Sight this Saturday, April 17th!
Sign up to ride or join us afterward if you are in the Napa area at the Cycle For Sight event, benefiting Enchanted Hills Camp. Click here for more information.
Or help EHC Director Tony Fletcher and Margie Donovan meet their goal of raising $5000 in pledges for their respective 25 and 50-mile bike rides!
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6. User Review: iBART Live
by Lisamaria Martinez, LightHouse Public Affairs Coordinator
I have been a BART rider
for 11 years. I usually know when trains arrive at certain
stations - like the station closest to work or home. But, on occasion, I deal
with delays or am at a new BART station and can barely hear the announcements
over the roar of trains arriving and departing. What do I do?
Usually, I ask the nearest
person what the next train is or what time such-and-such train will arrive. But this doesn't always work.
I've recently purchased an
iPhone and have fallen madly in love with its apps, including iBART Live.
For only $3.99 you can
download iBART Live, a third-party app that allows iPhone users to check for real-time
arrivals and plan trips. While
there are other BART-related apps that are free, my
experience with this particular app has been worth the cost.
iBART Live includes Trip Planning, Map and Arrival mode features, which each have their pros and cons in terms of accessibility, but overall can make BART travel much more seamless.
One of my favorite features is the Arrival Mode, which tells me when a train is due to arrive at a stop, helping me determine whether I need to run like a madwoman or can nonchalantly stroll.
For a demo of iBART Live features and many other useful iPhone apps, visit our free iPhone Interactive
Workshop on May 8th, from 1:00
- 3:00 p.m. at the LightHouse.
Note: You do not need to own an iPhone to participate.
To learn more email lmartinez@lighthouse-sf.org.
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7. NFB-Newsline in Your Pocket
Are you the owner of a
Victor Reader Stream, Icon or Braille+, BookSense or Book Port Plus? If so,
NFB-Newsline has made it easy for you to download and read newspapers and
magazines.
Click here for more information on NFB-Newsline or to learn more about reading newspapers and magazines on-the-go.
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8.
LightHouse Awarded Grant from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
The LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
was recently awarded a $60,000 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
grant (also known as "stimulus" funding).
The LightHouse is the
only organization in California with a program serving
deaf-blind adults. This funding will allow us to expand our reach, assisting more seniors in Northern California who
are experiencing both vision and hearing loss.
For
more information about Deaf-Blind Services or how you can impact the quality of
life of seniors with vision and hearing loss, contact us at 415-431-1481 or via
Video Relay Service at 415-255-5906.
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9. Evening and Weekend
Events at the LightHouse
The
LightHouse has formed a new group for visually impaired adults 18 and older to
meet on a regular basis. Meet new people and have fun in the process! The group
will plan social and recreational activities, as well as serve as an additional
source of support for working-age adults who are blind or visually impaired.
For
more information, contact Philip Kum at 415-694-7372 or email
pkum@lighthouse-sf.org.
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10.
Adult Education and Recreation Classes Schedule
Crafts Class
Day
and Time: Monday, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Instructor:
G.K. Callahan
Location:
LightHouse - Herbst (Kitchen)
Fee:
Cost of materials
Ceramics
Hand-building
techniques, coils and slab construction are a few of the skills taught in this
class designed for fun and learning. Bisque and glaze firings are included.
Day
and Time: Wednesday, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Instructor:
G.K. Callahan
Location: The Good Shop, 2590 Folsom St. (at 22nd Street)
Communication
The Communication Class
for beginners encourages students to participate in:
public speaking, writing, group discussion, games and individual and
group problem-solving. Features occasional guest speakers.
Day and Time: Monday, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Instructor: Nicolette Noyes
Location: LightHouse -
Bothin Room
Fee: Cost of materials
Day and Time: Wednesday,
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Instructor: Robert Fitch
Location: LightHouse -
Bothin Room
Fee: Cost of materials
Exercise Class
Breathing
and cardiovascular exercises for those who like to sweat.
Day
and Time: Monday, 10:15 to 11:00 a.m.
Instructor:
Michael Gordon
Location:
LightHouse - Bothin Room
Yoga
Basic
breathing exercises, stretching motions and relaxation techniques are combined
to give students a systematic means of reducing stress and tension.
Day
and Time: Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:15
p.m.
Instructor:
Nancy Yates
Location:
LightHouse - Bothin Room
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11. LightHouse Support
Groups
The LightHouse hosts
support group meetings in San Francisco, Marin and on the North Coast. These meetings are open to members of the public who are blind or
visually impaired.
San
Francisco:
Peer-Led Vision Loss
Support Group
This is a group led by people
who are blind and visually impaired. The group is open to blind and visually
impaired individuals and meets every second and fourth Saturday of each month
from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the LightHouse, 214 Van Ness Avenue, San
Francisco, CA 94102.
For more information,
contact Philip Kum at 415-694-7372 or pkum@lighthouse-sf.org.
Diabetic Peer Group
This
is a peer-led support group open to those who are diabetic. The group meets
every last Wednesday of each month from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the LightHouse - Cowell Room.
Marin:
Practical Tips for Men
Adjusting to Vision Loss
This is a group for men
who are experiencing vision loss. Topics include magnification and strategies
for completing daily and household tasks. The group meets on the first Tuesday
of each month from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the
LightHouse of Marin (at the Whistlestop), located at 930 Tamalpais, San Rafael, CA 94901. Call Jeff Carlson at 415-258-8496, ext. 1 to register.
North Coast:
The North Coast has a number of support groups available to those who are blind or
visually impaired. The following are the times, dates and locations for each
group:
Arcata - Every Wednesday
from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. at the Arcata Community Center, 321 Community Parkway, Arcata, CA 95521. Contact Jan Farrar at 707-822-4580 or via email at
janetfarrar@sbcglobal.net for more information.
Crescent City - The second Wednesday of every month from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Del Norte Senior Center conference room,
1765 Northcrest Drive, Crescent City, CA 95531. Contact Roger Eakin at 707-464-6590
for more information.
Eureka - Tuesdays from
10:45 to 11:45 a.m. at the Humboldt Senior Resource Center, 1910
California Street, Eureka, CA 95501. Contact Lois Willson at 707-445-3726
for information.
Fortuna - The third Friday
of every month from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at Fortuna
Community Services, 2331 Rohnerville Road, Fortuna, CA 95540. Contact Forrest Conley at 707-725-5265 or carforcha@aol.com, or call
Fran Clever at 707-725-3697 or email momclever@sbcglobal.net.
McKinleyville - The last
Monday of every month from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the
McKinleyville Senior Center, 1620 Pickett Road, McKinleyville, CA 95519. Contact Doug Rose at 707-839-0588 or email dougdrose@suddenlink.net.
For more information about
support groups on the North Coast, email northcoastinfo@lighthouse-sf.org.
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Monthly Edition
April 2010
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The LightHouse relies on the support of donors to make a difference
in the lives of thousands of blind, deaf-blind and visually impaired
individuals each year. Please donate now.
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Adaptations, the LightHouse Store
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Semi-Annual
Clearance Sale!Visit Adaptations and take
advantage of our semi-annual clearance sale! All discontinued items will be 10
to 50 percent off, while supplies last. Find talking watches, magnifiers,
sunglasses, games and more. Clearance discounts are available in-store. Browse our online catalog here.
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For sale: Freedom Scientific Topaz Reader
(Model #940BX). Magnifies letters up to 80 strength. In perfect condition. Used
less than two hours! Originally purchased for about $2,000. Asking $300 or best
offer. Contact Ron Saturno at 415-552-8022.
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Thank You Barefoot Wine and Bubbly!
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The
Humboldt Arts Council is seeking art by people who are blind or visually
impaired for an October 2010 show at
the historic Morris Graves Museum.
The
Humboldt Arts Council has joined Art Beyond Sight and has recently hosted local
advocate James
Forbes, President of the Humboldt Council of the Blind as a guest speaker during
the screening of the documentary "The Eyes of
Me".
Interested
artists in a group show should call Rebecca Cacciari, Museum Program Manager,
at 707-442-0278 Extension 201 or rebecca@humboldtarts.org.
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Descriptive Video on Disney Releases
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 The Media Access Group at
WGBH announced recently that Walt Disney Studios released three DVD and Blu-ray
videos that include an optional Descriptive Video Service track. Disney
indicates the availability of this track on their DVD and Blu-ray titles with a
small D))) symbol in a film strip graphic on the bottom third of the back of
the disc packaging. The titles are: "The Princess and the
Frog" - rated G (debuted in stores and through online retailers on March 16) "Toy Story" - rated G
(debuted in stores and through online retailers on March 23) "Toy Story 2" - rated G
(debuted in stores and through online retailers on March 23) Note: Walt Disney Studios
re-released its two "Toy Story" titles on DVD and Blu-ray in advance of their
brand new "Toy Story 3," coming to theaters on June 18 (and yes, the film will
be described). The full list of DVDs with DVS continues to be updated here. |
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