The LightHouse has chartered a bus to the American Council of the Blind's 50th annual conference and convention this July, and we invite you to join us. We will be offering pick-up and drop-off service at the LightHouse in San Francisco, the Ashby BART station in Berkeley and in downtown Sacramento.

We will drive up to the conference on Saturday, July 9. Here is the pick-up schedule:

• The bus will arrive at 8:45 a.m. at the San Francisco office of the LightHouse and leave no later than 9:00 a.m.
• The next pick-up will be at the Ashby BART station. We'll arrive at 9:30 a.m. and depart at 9:45. 
• The final pick-up will be in Sacramento, at the Amtrak station at 401 I Street. We'll arrive at 11:30 a.m. and depart at 11:45.
• We will arrive at the John Ascuaga Nugget Hotel Resort Casino in Sparks, Nevada at 2:30 p.m.  

We will return home on Wednesday, July 13. Here is the drop-off schedule:

• The charter bus will load at noon and leave the John Ascuaga Nugget Hotel Resort Casino no later than 12:30 p.m.
• The first drop-off will be at the Sacramento Amtrak station (401 I Street), at 3:45 p.m.
• The next drop-off will be at the Ashby BART station, at 5:15 p.m.
• The final drop-off will be at the San Francisco office of the LightHouse, between at 6:00 p.m. 

There are a limited number of seats still available for purchase. One-way seats are $100.00; round-trip seats are only $150.00. Deposits are due by May 30. For more information or to reserve your seat, call Rich Russo, Community Services Program Assistant at 415-694-7352 or email him at

rrusso@lighthouse-sf.org.

Our Enchanted Hills Camp has long been a coveted summertime ticket for blind individuals and their families. The following sessions still have openings. Act now to reserve your place!

Adults with Special Needs: July 9 - July 13 (only a few spaces left)
$600.00 (Includes $50 non-refundable registration fee)
Serving developmentally delayed (Regional Center Clients) and cognitively impaired campers ages 21 and older that are blind or visually impaired. The camp program incorporates traditional camp activities with a focus on encouraging individuals to gain further independence. Campers MUST be able to take care of their own basic activities of daily living, i.e. feeding, toileting, dressing, etc. The staff to camper ratio for this session is 1:3.

Blind Kids - 3rd through 8th grade: July 18 - July 24
$50 (Non-Refundable Registration Fee)
Campers will participate in traditional camp activities and special events, including sports such as beep ball and goal ball. Program content is active and provides peer support and connection. Campers have the opportunity to openly discuss issues related to visual impairment and growing up, and have exposure to the latest adaptive technology. The staff to camper ratio for this session is 1:3.

Blind Teens - 9th through 12th grade:  July 28 - Aug 6
$50 (Non-Refundable Registration Fee)
The teens and young adults who attend this session will experience all the regular camp activities and special events. In addition, campers will also participate in activities geared towards building leadership abilities and setting goals for the future. The staff to camper ratio for this session is 1:4.

Prospective campers may contact Rich Russo at 415-694-7352 or rrusso@lighthouse-sf.org. Returning campers can re-register by phone; new campers will receive an application packet via e-mail or postal service. Applications are also available on our website www.lighthouse-sf.org.

The following sessions are just about full, but we may have cancellations and will gladly put your name on a waiting list.

Family Camp I: June 23 - June 26 WAITING LIST ONLY
$135 for 18+
$60.00 per non-visually impaired
FREE for V.I. children and 5 and under
Family camp session is offered to families who have visually impaired children aged 17 and under and visually impaired parents with children age 17 and under. The entire family is welcome to join in the fun and fellowship. Camp activities will include swimming, horseback riding, crafts, games, campfires, parent rap sessions, and evening activities. Staff to camper ratio is 1:6.
(Please note: Cancellation fee of $50 per camper if notified less than 14 days prior to start of session.)

Adult/Alumni: July 2 - July 7 WAITING LIST ONLY
$350.00 (Includes $50 non-refundable registration fee)
This camp session is designed for active, independent adults. Traditional camp activities include swimming, horseback riding, hiking, arts & crafts and recreation. Nighttime program highlights include dancing to live music, casino night and a talent show. The staff to camper ratio is 1:3.

Family Camp II: WAITING LIST ONLY
July 14 - July 17
$135 for 18+
$60.00 per non-visually impaired
FREE for V.I. children and 5 and under
Family camp session is offered to families who have visually impaired children aged 17 and under and visually impaired parents with children age 17 and under. The entire family is welcome to join in the fun and fellowship.  Camp activities will include swimming, horseback riding, crafts, games, campfires, parent rap sessions, and evening activities. Staff to camper ratio is 1:6.
(Please note: Cancellation fee of $50 per camper if notified less than 14 days prior to start of session.)

If you'd like to placed on a waiting list for any of the closed sessions, call Rich Russo at 415-694-7352 or email him at rrusso@lighthouse-sf.org.

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By popular demand we have increased the hours for our store in San Francisco.  The store is now open later in the evening to accommodate after-work shoppers. New store hours will be Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. In addition, every third Saturday, we'll be open from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

We have also made it more convenient for those of you in the East Bay to shop by opening a branch of Adaptations in our Ed Roberts Campus office in Berkeley. Our satellite store in Berkeley will be open every Tuesday and Friday from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. The Ed Roberts Campus is at 3075 Adeline Street, Suite 110, Berkeley and is connected by pedestrian tunnel to the Ashby BART station.

Toll-Free Number:

Did you know that our store has a toll-free number? Just call 1-888-400-8933 to place your order with our courteous sales staff.

Discover the benefits of using electronic vision aids and software to improve activities of daily living at home, school, the work place or just about anywhere. Please join us as Adaptations, the LightHouse Store hosts an informative presentation and hands-on demonstration by Freedom Scientific and Access Ingenuity.

Participants will have an opportunity to learn about and actually use Freedom Scientifics' new TOPAZ and RUBY video magnifiers, MAGic screen magnification software and new MAGic keyboard, JAWS Screen Reader, as well as the brand new SARA CE and PEARL Camera with OpenBook, lightning fast tools to scan and read printed materials.

Where: San Francisco office of Lighthouse for the Blind

When: June 21, 10:00 a.m. to noon, lunch included

This educational seminar is tailored for people who are visually impaired and their families, instructors and trainers, seniors and senior center staff, and vision support groups. Attendees are invited to stay for a free lunch following the seminar. There will also be a drawing for a free RUBY Handheld Video Magnifier!

For more information and to RSVP, call us at 1-888-400-8933 or email us at adaptations@lighthouse-sf.org.

Adaptations, the LightHouse Store is now selling Braille copies of the iPhone iOS4 user guide.

The LightHouse is the only authorized distributor of Braille versions of Apple User manuals. Purchase the Braille iPhone iOS4 manual and any of the others we have available by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ios4manual or call our store at our toll-free number, 1-888-400-8933.

The Wilson Digital Voice Recorder easily fits in the palm of your hand

The Wilson is a state-of-the-art digital voice recorder that is simple to use and reasonably priced. It offers up to eight hours of continuous recording time, will store multiple messages, will allow you to download messages to your computer (USB cable included), and clips to belts, visors and purses.

The beauty of The Wilson is its simplicity. You may not even need to read the instruction manual. It only has three buttons, which correspond with record, play and delete functions. It is also less expensive than more complicated recorders.

Think of the myriad ways the Wilson will help you keep track of what's important to you. It will store phone numbers, addresses, appointments, directions, to-do lists, shopping lists, ideas, notes and lectures. The Wilson is available at Adaptations, the LightHouse Store for $30.00. 

Don't forget that we have specials each month at Adaptations Online. Check them out at http://store.lighthouse-sf.org/.

GK smiles as the garden truly begins to take shape.

In 2010, local artist Gk Callahan partnered with LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired to obtain a grant from the San Francisco Arts Commission for an ambitious project: a large-scale community garden that would be accessible to all, regardless of disability. We named this project the Please Touch Community Garden.

The LightHouse, in association with California Department of Rehabilitation, offers a course year-round called the "Blind Leaders Program" that provides an opportunity for blind and visually impaired working-age individuals to gain valuable work experience and build leadership skills. Callahan, who is also a staff member at the LightHouse, teaches the Blind Leaders about art, horticulture, project planning, design and development and public and community relations. Many of the participants in this program have been intimately involved in the planning and development of the garden.  

Blind Leaders Jessa and Dawn add seeds to small planters to induce germination.

The 4,000 square feet of garden space will showcase water-wise urban farming techniques, including a rainwater catchment system which will collect water from adjacent building roofs. In recent weeks our Blind Leaders and volunteers have decorated pots for plants, germinated seeds and planted a variety of fruits and vegetables. Bigger physical tasks have included painting over graffiti-covered walls, and the process of sheet-mulching which involves moving large truckloads of cardboard, then shoveling mulch into wheelbarrows and spreading them both across the garden in order to choke out the weeds. Watering is also a labor intensive task that the new blind gardeners have become adept at. There is no access on the lot to water, so they must fill up multiple five-gallon buckets and water each plant by hand.

"We're not only filling up this big hole in the ground and beautifying the neighborhood, but now it has become a means for both community involvement and a tool for growth and enrichment at the LightHouse," says Callahan.

About the project, LightHouse CEO Bryan Bashin says, "The blind cannot do it alone. It takes a village. We can catalyze those life-changing connections through clever design of these programs, keeping in mind that the best self-esteem is actually doing something to a successful conclusion."

With the flowerbed full of compost, some local plants find a new home.

How You Can Help - Volunteer Opportunities in the Garden

We would love your help as we make our garden accessible by building a path that will make it possible for anyone to visit or work in the garden; we are one of the few community gardens to offer this kind of access. Pacific Interlock Pavingstone (www.pacinterlock.com) is donating paving stones for the ADA compliant main pathway and ramp which intersect the garden. We will be needing volunteers to mark out the pathway, move all the gravel and lay the pavers. If you are up for this kind of work, call Gk Callahan at 415-694-7335 or email him at gk@lighthouse-sf.org. We also have opportunities for lighter garden work.

We will be celebrating the completion of the path with a garden luncheon and fundraiser that will be open to the public. Stay tuned for more details! For more photos of past volunteer days, visit our Facebook photo album.  

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Considering a career in the non-profit sector? Are you interested in building your data entry skills? The LightHouse is looking for a dedicated volunteer to help our Development Department with data entry work.

Requirements:

• Some experience with Excel
• Detail oriented
• Available to work 10 hours a week
• Willing to commit to working for at least six-months

 Responsibilities:

• Assist with data entry into Excel, Raiser's Edge and other databases, adhering to strictest confidentiality requirements.
• Assist with filing, copying, faxing, mailings and other
• department administrative functions as needed and as time permits.

This is an unpaid volunteer position. For more information or to apply, please call LightHouse Volunteer Coordinator Don Franklin at 415-694-7371 or email him at dmfranklin@lighthouse-sf.org.  

LightHouse is proud to announce we will be partnering with the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) to promote physical fitness for blind and visually impaired children and youth.

Incentives will include prizes and the opportunity for top participants to attend a Paralympic Sports Camp. We will roll this exciting fitness program out to campers attending Enchanted Hills Camp this July and August.

If you're interested in participating in our accessible fitness challenge, call Brandon Young at 415-694-7372 or byoung@lighthouse-sf.org.

A blind runner crosses the finish line with her guide runner

Sometimes all it takes to get people moving is a good partnership! We want to pair blind athletes with sighted guides for a wide variety of athletic endeavors - anything from working out at the gym to biking, to running the next half marathon. 

If you are interested in becoming a Fitness Partner, or being paired with one, call LightHouse Volunteer Coordinator Don M. Franklin at 415-694-7371 or

email him at dmfranklin@lighthouse-sf.org.

Our Personal Services Program, where we match volunteers with visually impaired people to accomplish a variety of tasks, is thriving. We would love to have you on board to participate. If you would like to assist someone, or if you would like to be paired with one of our Personal Services Volunteers, call LightHouse Volunteer Coordinator Don M. Franklin at 415-694-7371 or email him at dmfranklin@lighthouse-sf.org.

Is your mail and paperwork piling up? Do you have letters, bills or other paperwork for which you could use another set of eyes? By appointment we can arrange for one of our volunteers to read your material to you. One hour appointments are available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

You can make an appointment for Reader Service by calling 415-431-1481 or, if you are at the San Francisco office of the LightHouse, please speak to our Receptionist.

We've begun meeting clients for Orientation & Mobility instruction at the uber-accessible Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley. To work with instructor Michelle Cormier, COMS and learn techniques for navigating your local neighborhood, work environment, community or beyond, start by calling Linda Porelle at 415-694-7315 to register as a new student. To contact Michelle directly, email her at mcormier@lighthouse-sf.org or leave her a voice message at 415-694-7366. The Ed Roberts Campus is at 3075 Adeline Street, Suite 110, Berkeley and is connected by pedestrian tunnel to the Ashby BART station.

LightHouse instructor Divina Fontanilla gives talking clock instruction over the phone

This year, LightHouse Vision Rehabilitation instructors have been successfully reaching out through unconventional modes to older adults who are blind or have low vision - most specifically, using the tried-and-true telephone, one of the oldest forms of social networking. From February though April 2011, LightHouse instructors Divina Fontanilla and Kathy Abrahamson facilitated this class entirely by phone.

We did this work in collaboration with Senior Center without Walls (seniorcenterwithoutwalls.org), a telephone-conference based education and activity service available to older adults who are unable to access classes at their local Senior Centers. This innovative program provided the LightHouse an opportunity to connect adults ages 55 and over with interactive training covering the topics of time management and organization, labeling techniques, money identification and financial organization, and accessible way to maintain correspondence.

Each month, 12 students living from Sacramento and down the 101 corridor to Paso Robles with a hitch over to Irvine, received information and training materials for each lesson, and instruction was taught over the phone. Aroon Herlekar, an enthusiastic participant from San Jose, has experienced individual and classroom training in the past at the Santa Clara Valley Center for the Blind, and found the additional LightHouse training over the phone "a surprisingly good hands-on clinic which addressed relevant topics and training materials that I could practice during and after the class. We really got to focus on one topic...learning how to set the talking clock was the best!"

The LightHouse will partner with Senior Center Without Walls again for summer 2011, continuing to introduce relevant strategies for living independently.

On May 13, 2011 the Blind Leaders and Employment Immersion Programs, two LightHouse signature programs, will be featured at the spring convention of the California Council of the Blind (CCB). 

LightHouse staff and Blind Leaders from Adaptations, the LightHouse Store will have an exhibit table available to demonstrate a variety of adaptive aids. Exhibits will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on May 13 and May 14. 

In addition, LightHouse staff will be presenting at these times:

Smartpen-Based Audio/Tactile BART Station Maps for Travel Planning and Wayfinding

Margie Donovan, Tony Fletcher and Bryan Bashin thank Joyce Cid for her fundraising efforts for Enchanted Hills Camp

We're still adding it up but we can say with certainty that Joyce Cid's April 9 Sunset Vibrations Fundraiser for Enchanted Hills Camp was a terrific success. Several hundred of Joyce's friends from Martinez and beyond enjoyed the wonderful entertainment, great food, exciting raffle and auctions opportunities and the sheer exuberance Joyce brings to all her events.

We'll report on the final results in the next issue of the LightHouse News, but all indications point to this being the most profitable of the many philanthropic events Joyce has coordinated for the LightHouse. We want to thank Joyce, her co-pilot Lillian Downing and all the volunteers and friends who helped put on this wonderful and very successful fundraiser. For more photos of this event, please visit our Facebook photo album. 

With family in tow, a cyclist prepares for a tandem bicycle ride in support of Enchanted Hills Camp

On a warm, sunny Saturday, April 16, seventy-five Enchanted Hills Camp enthusiasts joined more than 2,000 other cyclists to support the camp they love. The Wine Valley Cycle for Sight Fundraiser, hosted by the Rotary Club of Napa, offered the opportunity to support both Enchanted Hills and California Veterans Home "Pathway Home Project" by riding a 15, 25 or 50 mile course. Those who were sighted rode traditional single seat bicycles, while our blind supporters rode tandem with their sighted buddies as pilot.

All in all, close to 4000 people bicycled or visited the accompanying festival, which included music and a selection of Napa Valley wineries and eateries. The amount raised is still being counted; last year the LightHouse received $30,000 for Enchanted Hills and we are optimistic that this year will bring in the same generous support if not more. Stay tuned for our announcement in an upcoming issue of the LightHouse News. 

Have you ever wondered what questions employers are, and are not, allowed to ask you about your blindness during a job interview? Would you like to know what laws protect your right to accessible textbooks and other accommodations in high school or college? Do you want to learn what rights you have as a guide dog user looking for an apartment or as a blind airline traveler planning to board a flight?

The Lighthouse has teamed up with two local attorneys, Shannon Dillon and Karla Gilbride, to answer these and other questions in the upcoming "Know Your Rights" workshops.   

When and Where:

Saturday, May 14, 1:30 to 4:00 p.m., at the Ed Robert Campus, 3075 Adeline Street, Suite 110, Berkeley. The Ed Roberts Campus is connected by pedestrian tunnel to the Ashby BART station.

Saturday, June 11, 1:30 to 4:00 p.m., at the San Francisco office of the LightHouse.   

Molly Irish, LightHouse Wellness and Enrichment Coordinator, enjoys a Giants game with LightHouse friends

Join the LightHouse for our first Giants game of the season. We have tickets to the San Francisco Giants vs. the Minnesota Twins game being played on Thursday, June 23rd at 12:45 pm. Tickets are available for $11.00, and we have a total of 20.

Where: Meet at the San Francisco office of the LightHouse

When: Thursday, June 23. We will leave at 11:45 a.m. and take Muni to the Ballpark.

This will be a wonderful day spent enjoying America's favorite pastime, hot dogs, and good company. For more information, call Rich Russo at 415-694-7352 or email him at rrusso@lighthouse-sf.org.

Venture to Angel Island to experience nature and the great outdoors at this nearby national treasure. On Saturday, June 4, our adventurous group will gather at the LightHouse at 8:30 a.m. and take Muni to Pier 41 to catch the 9:45 ferry to Angel Island. A round trip ferry ticket is $9.00; this includes access to the island.

Upon arrival, the group, including several sighted guides, will hike to the top of Mt. Livermore, the highest point on Angel Island. Along this five mile hike we'll see various types of plants and trees, from grassy hills to coastal oaks. We'll have lunch at the Cove Café; however, individuals who prefer to bring their own lunch are more than welcome to do so. We'll return on either the 3:20 or 4:40 p.m. ferry, depending on how much exploring the group would like to do after lunch. 

When: Saturday, June 4, 8:30 a.m.

Where: Meet at the San Francisco office of the LightHouse

Spots are filling up fast, so reserve your place now. For more information, call Rich Russo at 415-694-7352 or email him at rrusso@lighthouse-sf.org.

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Join us for a day of special fitness classes at the LightHouse office at Ed Roberts Campus. We will offer yoga, self-defense and more. If you've ever thought about participating in our fitness classes but hesitated because you live in the East Bay, now's your chance.

When: Saturday, May 28, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where: LightHouse office at Ed Roberts Campus, 3075 Adeline Street, Suite 110, Berkeley. The Ed Roberts Campus is connected by pedestrian tunnel to the Ashby BART station.

So come for a day of movement of the mind and body and be sure to bring a snack and a friend.

We have heard from many community members who would love to explore greater Northern California, where public transportation is weak or nonexistent. The LightHouse is now developing a new program to solve the problem.

Simply put, Ride and a Guide will pair up small groups of three to seven individuals seeking to take to the highway for a day or weekend road trip. You provide the agenda, and we'll pair you with a volunteer driver to facilitate your paid transportation. Think of it as a rental car service with a driver. The possibilities are endless. Our first trips will begin in July. Let us know where you and your group want to go.

Toastmasters focuses on public speaking, skill-building and leadership. Be part of a community of individuals who support each other while aiming to improve their communication and leadership skills. Everyone participates at each meeting, taking on a different role each time. Come to the initial meetings in July to learn more about the club. Participants are highly encouraged to attend all three meetings, as a minimum number of people are required to charter a club.

When: Noon to 2:00 p.m. We'll begin with three Saturday meetings on July 16, 23 and 30. The group will then decide how often it wants to meet.

Where: San Francisco office of the LightHouse

Are you a young adult who loves to read? Come join our new book club for young adults ages 12 and older.

Right now we're in the midst of discussing Suzanne Collins' "Hunger Games Trilogy". We've already talked about the first volume, "The Hunger Games" and are ready to delve into her next volume, "Catching Fire." Collins' books have taken the entire literary world by storm, and the final installment, "Mockingjay", was voted USA Today's Best Young Adult novel of 2010.

We invite you to immerse yourself in the futuristic story of Katness Everdeen and her reluctantly waged war against the oppressive powers-that-be and you've got time to catch up and join us in the discussion.

All three books are available in electronic format through Bookshare, Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic, and the National Library Service. Book 2 is also available in Braille from the National Library Service. 

Book Club Schedule:
Discussion of Book 2, "Catching Fire": Saturday, Saturday, May 21 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Discussion of Book 3, "Mockingjay": Saturday, June 18 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.   

Visually impaired youth kayaking in the waters of Richardson Bay

On Saturday, April 9, a small but enthusiastic group of young blind kayakers ventured out into the waters of Richardson Bay, just north of Sausalito. The excursion was hosted by Environmental Traveling Companions (www.etctrips.org) who provided the kayaks and their own young sighted trainers. The activity enabled the young people to bond over, among other things, the hard work of rowing and the singing of silly boating songs. Each kayak contained one sighted and one blind rower, and it was critical for the two rowers to work completely in sync or they would spin in circles and go nowhere. Brandon Young said, "The participants had a great time, but this was also an opportunity to see how working together can literally move you forward. It's a great metaphor for life."

Our new golf cart will make getting around camp a breeze

We've received a generous grant from Community Projects, Inc. to purchase a reconditioned golf cart. This cart replaces an older, less energy efficient model and will provide transportation for our campers with mobility restrictions. It has the energy and oomph to climb our hilly camp roads and enables us to carry four passengers (rather than two). The battery has a longer life so it will last a full day. Because of its efficiency it will reduce the need to use gas burning camp vehicles. Thanks to Community Projects, Inc. for their support!

Cabin Renovation:

One of our cabins is in need of winterization and renovation. In addition to housing staff, one of our goals is to improve this ideal meeting space so that it is available for year-round LightHouse programming. Here's what is needed:

The kitchen needs to be remodeled and the appliances need to be updated.

The cabin needs new windows and screens.

The fireplace is damaged and needs to be rebuilt.

Room doors and carpeting need to be replaced.

Insulation needs to be installed.

The roof and deck are deteriorating and must be refurbished.

Your support means so much to us. If your business, organization or club wants

Enchanted Hills Camp Director Tony Fletcher with a camp counselor

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 camp 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.

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@lighthouse-sf.org.   

Kate Williams discusses opportunities with a job-seeker

In December, the LightHouse launched its Employment Immersion Program, a cutting-edge project aimed at providing blind and visually impaired jobseekers with the ways and means in which to successfully gain employment.

Kate Williams, the program's leader, explains in detail: "This program not only covers the nuts and bolts of employment training, like resume writing and interview skills, but also addresses the 'hidden messages' of landing a job: accountability, chemistry with hiring teams, personal presentation. Successful employees know that these hidden messages are often more important even than hard skills."

We're delighted to announce that during the first month of the program two participants have received job offers. Yale graduate Therese Wales has been hired as an attorney by the City of San Francisco and LightHouse volunteer Sharon Salmon has also been hired by the City as an assistant in the Human Resources Department.

Not all participants aim towards traditional employment. Shortly after entering the program, one participant, Charlene Lawson, made the decision to open her own business. The support she received through the Employment Immersion Program gave her the encouragement and confidence to take this leap.

The Jobsite Conversation Series is a new LightHouse endeavor that provides blind jobseekers with a real-world chance to come to know employed blind people at their workplace.

This summer, using our newly acquired shuttle bus, we will take blind and visually impaired young adults to meet with their professional counterparts throughout the Bay Area. These young adults will visit a wide spectrum of jobs blind people are doing today in Northern California. From wealth managers to architects to software developers, the participants will gather insight from some of the region's industry leaders.

Our new 30-passenger bus will extend our reach in the community

Thanks to a generous grant from the Bothin Foundation, the LightHouse has acquired a new 30-passenger bus. We'll use the vehicle to expand our programs at Enchanted Hills Retreat and also support many activities at our offices in the Bay Area and Eureka.

When not at Enchanted Hills, we'll need to park the 33-foot-long vehicle somewhere in San Francisco or near a BART stop in the East Bay. 

Northern California Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (NCAER) and The Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired are presenting a half-day conference and reception.

When: Thursday May 19, 2011, 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Where: LightHouse for the  Blind, San Francisco Office

Cost: No charge. NCAER is pleased to offer this seminar at no cost!

Schedule of Events
1:00 - 1:30 Registration

1:30 - 1:40 Welcome/Announcements - Theresa Duncan, NCAER Board President

1:40 - 2:40 Access and Advocacy - Frank Welte, Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, American Council of the Blind

2:40 - 2:55 Break

2:55 - 3:55 Current Issues in Environmental Access - Linda Myers, COMS/TVI, Marin County Office of Education

3:55 - 4:30 Lighthouse Mapping Project - Greg Kehret, Director, Information Services, Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired

4:30 - 4:45 A Reading from, Two Plus Four Equals One, Alysa Chadow, TVI, California School for the Blind and Author

4:45 - 5: 00 AER Update - Pat Leader, AERBVI President, 2010 - 2012

5:00 - 6:00 Reception - Enjoy a glass of wine and some delicious treats while you network with your fellow service providers!

The conference will include a presentation on the exciting LightHouse Mapping Project and will be followed by a wine reception. For those seeking Continuing Education Credits, we have applied for 2.5 hr. units through ACVREP.

Do you live in the Eureka area and have trouble getting to your doctor's appointments?

Sign up for this newly launched and much-anticipated program sponsored by the Volunteer Center of the Redwoods. The program began on March 1 and was created in response to numerous requests from Eureka residents needing rides to medical appointments.

Operating hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Here are the requirements:

• Must be at least 50 years of age and/or physically disabled
• Transportation to and from medical appointments only
• Must call at least 48 hours in advance of the trip

The approximate geographic area of the program now runs south to Scotia, north to Bayside/Indianola, and coastal communities in between, and east including Freshwater, Cutten and Carlotta. (Expansion to other areas is reliant on future funding.)

For more information or to sign-up, please contact the Volunteer Center of the Redwoods: Call 707-442-3711 in Humboldt County or email vcor@a1aa.org.

Last January we learned that a sea lion blinded by gunshot but otherwise healthy might have to be euthanized by the Marine Mammal Center. We're happy to report that after considerable uproar, including advocacy from the LightHouse, sea lion Silent Knight and another will soon take up residence at the San Francisco Zoo. A link to the San Francisco Examiner article follows.

Although animal rescue isn't part of the LightHouse official mission, the profound symbolism of possibly euthanizing otherwise healthy animals just because they are blind affected us all deeply, and we couldn't be happier about this resolution. Congratuations to Jeff Boehm of the Marine Mammal Center for finding a positive conclusion to this matter.

FamilyFriends, an innovative social network for parents and caregivers of visually impaired children, was recently launched on AFB and NAPVI's FamilyConnect (www.FamilyConnect.org). For the last three years, FamilyConnect visitors have connected with other families through message boards and have explored resources related to raising children with visual impairments.

Now FamilyFriends provides registered FamilyConnect users with new networking features and options to further customize and personalize their online experience. Users can create and post profiles that can be found by other parents based on such shared criteria as geographic location, a child's eye condition or a child's age.

The FamilyFriends social networking features allow blind people and their families to come together in ways that are affirming and helpful. Users can also log into FamilyFriends for the same reason people go to other social networking sites-it gives people a real sense of community and connection. Registered members can send friendship requests, update their pages with news and photos, share links they like and follow their friends via e-mail alerts.

The San Francisco Mayor's Office on Disability is hosting a public meeting to discuss the issue of service and emotional support animals, clarify the various disability rights laws that apply on this issue and educate the disability community about rights and responsibilities. We want to hear from the community about the benefits of service or support animals and what, if anything you would like to see changed in the City of San Francisco. We want to hear YOUR story!

When: May 23, 2011 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Where: San Francisco City Hall, Room 400

For more information or to request accommodations for the meeting please call Joanna or Ken at 415-554-6789, 415-554-6799 TTY or e-mail mod@sfgov.org.

The Dale M. Schoettler Scholarship for Visually Impaired Students was established in 1991 for legally blind San Francisco State and San Jose State University students to receive a quality education in pursuit of a professional career in business, humanities, arts, and the sciences.

After Mr. Schoettler's death in 2001, the California State University received a $4.8 million bequest from his estate to expand the existing financial aid program for legally blind students to all 23 CSU campuses.  Mr. Schoettler, who was blind the last eight years of his life, was a businessman from Mountain View, California. 

Selections and nominations for the 2011-2012 academic year are due May 20, 2011.

44 scholarships of $6,000 each will be awarded for the 2011-2012 academic year. Here are the requirements:

• Applicants must currently have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale and must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale during the academic year in which the award is received.
• Applicants must be currently enrolled as a full-time equivalent CSU undergraduate or graduate student in any major field and must remain a full-time equivalent CSU student during the academic year in which the award is received.
• Applicants must be legally blind and provide verification from a physician which includes the best corrected visual acuity notations.

For more information, contact Todd Higgins, toddh@sfsu.edu, 415- 338-2472 (voice/TTY).

The International Institute for Social Entrepreneurs (IISE) (http://www.bwb-iise.org/) is a dream-factory where participants from all over the world share visions and acquire all necessary skills to create social change. The application process for the International Institute for Social Entrepreneurs course 2012, is now open.

The IISE welcomes participants who are over 22 years of age and have

overcome significant life challenges ranging from vision impairment, disability, poverty, war, discrimination and exploitation. Most participants have personally experienced adversity or witnessed a particular situation that they wish to change so others do not suffer. They have a passion to make the world a better place and the strength to be forces of good rather than victims of circumstance.

The IISE does not select its participants according to pre-education/degrees. They are looking for motivated and dedicated individuals who have the potential to start and run a social project. For those who are selected, the IISE offers an 11 month high profile and unique leadership course. This course is conducted by international

experts who help the participants to develop all necessary skills to succeed as social innovators.

The 2012 course will take place from mid-January 2012 till mid-December 2012. To ensure high quality training, the IISE accommodates a maximum of 30 participants per academic year who are chosen through a stringent 5-step selection process.

The  National Federation of the Blind has several grants available to help participants attend the upcoming Convention in Orlando, Florida in early July.

The deadline to apply is May 14, 2011. 

There are two categories of grants available: 

• "Radcliff" Grants ($750.00) which are made available to persons who are attending a national convention for the first time.
• NFBC General Convention Grant

Convention details:

When: Sunday, July 3 to Friday, July 8, 2011

Where: Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, Orlando, FL

To go directly to the grant application, click on http://bit.ly/nfbgrantapp 

For more information, contact Mary Willows, President, National Federation of the Blind of California, at mwillows@sbcglobal.net

For more information on the convention, go to www.nfb.org.

The Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) is inviting the public, particularly those who represent individuals, groups or agencies, who impact or are impacted by the Department of Rehabilitation Vocational Rehabilitation Services, including Supported Employment Services, to provide public comment on the Proposed 2012 State Plan (effective October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012).

To facilitate comment, the DOR has offered public meetings throughout the State for interested parties to present comments to the DOR Directorate and staff. If you wish to provide public comment, please let them know by emailing planningsurvey@dor.ca.gov. 

When: Thursday, May 12, 2011, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Totally blind people with recurring sleeping or napping problems are needed to answer a survey and/or take part in a clinical research study.

Sleeping or napping problems occur in some people who are totally blind. This may be caused by the lack of light needed to reset the "body clock". The result is recurrent sleep problems similar to jet lag. 

Eligible volunteers who take part in the clinical research study will be compensated for their time and will receive all study-related investigational medication, medical evaluation and transportation at no cost.

Eligible volunteers are:

· between 18 and 75 years old

· totally blind

· having recurrent trouble sleeping at night or with daytime sleepiness or napping