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1. Provider's Weekend Back by Popular Demand - Save the Date: May 18-20, 2012
Please join LightHouse for the Blind from May 18 through 20 at our beautiful Enchanted Hills Retreat in Napa.
The purpose of this weekend is to bring together a diverse group of professional service providers working in the field of blindness to exchange ideas and build a network. You will have the opportunity to stay in a lakeside cabin, the lodge or one of our fully accessible cabins next to the dining hall.
In addition to discussing philosophies, trends and issues we face in providing services for people with visual impairments, you can enjoy the heated swimming pool, a lake for boating, trails for hiking and savory meals provided by a wonderful kitchen staff. You'll learn from your peers, relax in a natural setting with many recreational opportunities and, most of all, YOU WILL HAVE A GREAT TIME! For information and reservations contact Tony Fletcher at 415-694-7319 or afletcher@lighthouse-sf.org.
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2. Michael Peterson - From Counseled to Counselor
 | | Caption: Mike Peterson smiles after completing his Employment Immersion practice video interview |
Employment Immersion Program graduate Michael Peterson has recently started working as a counselor for Pennsylvania's Department of Rehabilitation. Mike's employment story has brought him full circle from being counseled as a youth to being a seasoned counselor for others. He is clearly capable of reinventing himself to meet new challenges and took good advantage of the resources the LightHouse offers in our Employment Immersion Program.
Mike has been blind since birth and has been an advocate for blindness issues his whole life. "I've always been interested in equal employment for the blind. I remember when I was in 12th grade going to the high school guidance counselor and trying to find a way for blind people to go to the nearby trade school. We started talking to people, and as a result a program opened up getting blind people jobs."
After Mike got his bachelor's degree in journalism/speech communication from Cal State Northridge, he worked at a variety of positions, including tele-service representative for the DMV, owner and manager of a cafeteria/snack bar, and part-time employment search specialist for the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR). With the goal of becoming a full-time rehabilitation counselor, he went back to school and earned a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling from San Diego State University.
He initially enrolled in the LightHouse Employment Immersion Program on the recommendation of his DOR counselor. "I was used to the more traditional ways of applying for a job, such as mailing out resumes, and thought my resume could use a little more polish. But in the class I learned that there were things like LinkedIn that I didn't have a clue how to use. I also wanted to work on my interview skills-when you're practicing in class, it makes you that much better at it."
Kate Williams had this to say about her student: "Michael's success in securing employment is a direct result of three primary attributes: conviction, confidence and consistency. Michael embodied the word 'immersion.' When given an assignment to join LinkedIn to increase his ability to network, Michael amassed over 1,000 connections within one month! Despite setbacks and frustrations, Michael believed in his ability to provide superior service to those he wished to serve. Those fortunate enough to be in his client-base will benefit greatly."
Stymied by a hiring freeze at DOR in California, he came to realize while in our program that the one thing you don't want to do is limit yourself. "So many times you get focused on finding the perfect job," he said. "For example, for a long time I had decided that I was only going to take a job if it was right here in San Francisco. I had to change my ideas about where I would be willing to work, and doing that led me to getting the job I have today."
Mike and his wife thought long and hard about the possibility of moving away from the state they love. Then, an opportunity for a job in Pennsylvania came up. One of his LinkedIn contacts let him know that they were hiring at the Reading Department of Rehabilitation. The fact that his wife was originally from that part of Pennsylvania certainly helped make the location more appealing. But it took a special "internet moment" to really sell Mike on the idea of moving. Right after he got that tip, while listening to a live stream of the National Federation of the Blind Convention, he heard NFB of Pennsylvania affiliate President Jim Antonacci come up to the microphone and say, "We need blind counselors!" Mike laughed as he described this serendipitous event and said, "How many times do you need to be hit on the head to pay attention?"
We congratulate Mike on his new position as a rehabilitation counselor, to which he'll bring years of experience to his clients and earn a $48,000 salary. Mike praises the LightHouse's Employment Immersion Program and how we help jobseekers build the kind of momentum they need to find a job. "This program is important-it can make a difference for so many people because it teaches blind people that WE have to make it happen."
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3. Making the Grade
You may know that the LightHouse undergoes a financial audit every year. Did you also know that every three years the California State Department of Rehabilitation audits our rehabilitation and employment training programs? With each audit we are evaluated to make sure that we meet the Department's high standards for health, safety and programming.
In December, LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters and our three satellite offices, LightHouse of Marin in San Rafael, LightHouse of the North Coast in Eureka and LightHouse at the Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley, underwent the three days of program review, interviews and site visits that comprise this audit.
We are proud to say we passed the certification with flying colors. Being certified means we can continue to do business with the state of California. But more than this, it is a marker of the professionalism and expertise we strive for. It demonstrates to the clients and students we train, and to the community and donors who support us, that the forward thinking we do as staff and as an agency in providing persons who are blind and low vision the support and training they need and request is relevant for living successfully, and with pride.
To learn more about training services and programs, contact the LightHouse at info@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-431-1481.
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4. Redbox Suit - ABC7 Interview
Last month, Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) filed a suit against Redbox for discriminating against blind people by failing to provide accessible self-service kiosks. For some years now the LightHouse has received community complaints from people shut out of the ability to independently use the affordable Redbox machines to rent videos. The LightHouse advocates for access to all places of commerce, and we've also been surprising people by telling them how normal it is for our community to enjoy DVDs with friends and family.
LightHouse Donor Relations Coordinator Lisamaria Martinez was recently interviewed by ABC7 about the lawsuit. Here's a link to the video interview: http://bit.ly/redboxvideo
Read the full story about the lawsuit here: http://bit.ly/redboxstory Click Here to Return to the Table of Contents |
5. Window-Eyes Training by GW Micro at the LightHouse
GW Micro will be offering a two-day Window-Eyes training at LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters on March 20 and 21. Take the training that the American Foundation for the Blind raved about in its review of Window-Eyes training in the July 2010 edition of AccessWorld (http://www.afb.org/aw). Read more about this exciting offer here:
http://lighthouse-sf.org/news/window-eyes-training-by-gw-micro/ Click Here to Return to the Table of Contents |
6. Attention, Campers! Camp Registration is Now Open
 | | Caption: Young campers Justin Geissberger, Richard Helems, Tyler Melone, Evan Milburn and Daniel Witte play foosball at Enchanted Hills Camp |
Registration for 2012 Enchanted Hills Camp sessions is now open. Applications are available for download on our website at http://lighthouse-sf.org/programs/enchanted-hills/.
Instructions and payment information are available on the application. Our camping sessions are extremely popular and fill up fast, so don't delay. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and reservations will only be valid after the LightHouse receives payment for each session. For more information please contact Rich Russo at rrusso@lighthouse-sf.orgor 415-694-7352.
2012 Camp Session Dates
Family Camp I: June 21 through June 24
Adult Session: June 30 through July 5
Adults with Special Needs: July 7 through July 11
Family Camp II: July 12 through July 15
Youth Session I (3rd through 8th grade): July 16 through July 22
Youth Session II (9th through 12th grade): July 26 through August 4
Blind Babies Camp: August 12 through August 14
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7. Gill Family Sings Out for Special Needs Session
 | | Caption: Steve and Anne Gill stand in front of ensemble of performers at LightHouse benefit concert |
The LightHouse wishes to express our deep and abiding gratitude to Steve, Nancy and Anne Gill for putting on January's two successful benefit concerts held at the Menlo School in Atherton. The Gill family turned over close to $3,700 in donations to the LightHouse-this money will be used to help pay the costs for campers at this year's Enchanted Hills Camp Special Needs session.
Now-retired Menlo School drama teacher Steve Gill and Anne, his daughter, are wonderful singers and performed in this year's outstanding concerts. As with every concert, Steve gathered talented Menlo School students, alumni and faculty to perform works from well-known musicals. This year they treated audiences to selections from 60's musicals The Fantastiks, Fiddler, Oliver, Man of La Mancha, Funny Girl, Camelot and more.
The family has a very personal connection to Enchanted Hills. In 1997, shortly after daughter Anne graduated from high school, she was in a near-fatal car accident that left her blind and brain-injured. They said: "Much to our frustration, we discovered that while many programs serve those with traumatic brain injuries and others help the blind and visually impaired, very few resources are designed to help people like our daughter who have multiple disabilities. Therefore, we were delighted to find out that the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired offers a session at its Enchanted Hills Camp in Napa Valley for visually impaired adults who have other disabilities as well.
"The first time we took Anne to Enchanted Hills Camp, it was clear to us that running this session is very expensive, as it requires a lower staff-to-camper ratio than other sessions. Our gratitude for the camp's existence, our appreciation for the incredible patience and compassion of the staff (many of whom are visually impaired), and our desire to help the Special Needs session inspired Steve to organize the first benefit concert for the LightHouse in 1999."
The Gill family has been presenting LightHouse benefit concerts, which typically include music from America's musical theater tradition, for 10 years and has raised close to $70,000 to help dozens of adults with multiple impairments attend camp. We thank them again for their efforts.
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8. Don't Miss These Special Rates at Enchanted Hills Retreat
 | | Caption: Enchanted Hills hiking trail, surrounded by greenery |
Beautiful Enchanted Hills Retreat is located just 25 minutes from downtown Napa on Mt. Veeder Road. Take your meeting or event there with these special winter rates that will help you ring in the New Year. Want to have a family reunion but your house is too small and hotels are way too expensive? Does your workgroup need to get out of the office for a training or retreat? Is your church, club or organization in need of a place where you can get three bountiful meals and a place to gather for a day or a week?
Be sure to take advantage of these special rates for winter day use and overnight use at Enchanted Hills Retreat.
Day Use $40.00/person
Includes: Meeting Room, Lunch, Beverage and Snack Service, Wi-Fi, AV equipment (flip chart, DVD/monitor, overhead, screen)
Overnight (limited weekends available at $100.00/person)
Includes: Meeting room, 1-night lodging, 3 fantastic meals, Beverage and Snack Service, Wi-Fi, AV equipment (flip chart, DVD/monitor, overhead, screen)
Take advantage of this Winter Special now by calling 415-694-7310 or emailing Camp Director Tony Fletcher at afletcher@lighthouse-sf.org for information and availability. Read more about Enchanted Hills Retreat here: http://www.enchantedhillsretreat.com/ Click Here to Return to the Table of Contents |
9. Register for the Cycle for Sight Fundraising Ride on April 21
 | | Caption: LightHouse Board member Gena Harper sits on tandem with her pilot |
Want to ride with the wind in your hair while supporting Enchanted Hills Camp? Join us for Cycle for Sight and ride a 15-, 25- or 50-mile route with 2,000 other cyclists, coordinated for our benefit by Napa Rotary. Ride solo or contact us if you would like to be a captain on a tandem with a blind cyclist. Raise funds for Enchanted Hills Camp by securing pledges in support of your ride.
When: Saturday, April 21, 2012
Where: Napa, CA (for registration and routes, go to www.cycle4sight.com)
Please note: Screen reader users may have difficulty with some aspects of this new registration site. We're working with Napa Rotary to streamline the registration process, but in the interim LightHouse will be happy to assist in registration. Please contact Andrea Ogarrio at 415-694-7365 or aogarrio@lighthouse-sf.org for more information. If you are interested in participating on a tandem bike, either as a captain or as a stoker, contact Tony Fletcher for more details at 415-694-7319 or afletcher@lighthouse-sf.org.
Can't Ride but Still Care?
If you can't participate in Cycle for Sight, you can still support our camp. Contribute by going to http://lighthouse-sf.org/donate/ (be sure to click on the Special Instructions link and reference Cycle for Sight).
Start the Ride on Friday Night!
Overnight accommodations are available at Enchanted Hills Retreat, including a "carb-loaded dinner," mixer with fellow cyclists and supporters, and breakfast before the ride for $50 per person. Extend your stay on Saturday night for the same low price. For information and reservations contact Tony Fletcher at 414-694-7319 or afletcher@lighthouse-sf.org.
Space is limited, so reserve now!
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10. LightHouse Secures Three Important Grants
The LightHouse has successfully received grant support from the following organizations in a competitive funding process. We are delighted that the ongoing programs at the LightHouse align with the mission of these generous grantors:
The Mr. & Mrs. G. Kirk Swingle Foundation has supported the LightHouse for over 20 years. This year they have given us a $25,000 grant to support Enchanted Hills Camp.
Over the last seven years the Eva L. McKenzie Charitable Trust has supported rehabilitation and technology services at the LightHouse. They have generously granted us $25,000 this year to support the expansion of our existing Technology Lab to provide assessments, training, classes, workshops and open lab hours.
In addition, we have received $7,000 from the Marie H. Brookreson Trust, money that is also earmarked for expansion of our Technology Lab.
Again, many thanks to these very generous supporters.
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11. Volunteering is Good for You
Why volunteer at the LightHouse? LightHouse Volunteer Coordinator Don M. Franklin knows the benefits well. He has done volunteer work most of his life and currently volunteers for five non-profits in addition to his salaried work at the LightHouse.
Don said: "Helping someone else allows you to move outside yourself. The selfless act of helping someone else, without looking for reciprocation, allows you to move outside yourself and to 'pay it forward' in your own community without expecting remuneration. I think I grow as a human being with every person I work with. More experience, more human interaction, to be able to communicate, learning something from each person I work with. And it feels good. I know that I've been helped by so many people, and I just want to do the same for others."
Studies have found that there are health benefits as well as social benefits to volunteering, especially for older people. From a 2007 press release from the Corporation for National and Community Service:
"Research suggests that volunteering is particularly beneficial to the health of older adults and those serving 100 hours annually. According to the report:
* A study of adults age 65 and older found that the positive effect of volunteering on physical and mental health is due to the personal sense of accomplishment an individual gains from his or her volunteer activities.
* Another study found that volunteering led to lower rates of depression in individuals 65 and older.
* A Duke study found that individuals who volunteered after experiencing heart attacks reported reductions in despair and depression-two factors that have been linked to mortality in post-coronary artery disease patients.
* An analysis of longitudinal data found that individuals over 70 who volunteered approximately 100 hours had less of a decline in self-reported health and functioning levels, experienced lower levels of depression and had more longevity.
* Two studies found that the volunteering threshold is about 100 hours per year, or about two hours a week. Individuals who reached the threshold enjoyed significant health benefits, although "there were no additional benefits beyond the 100-hour mark."
Read the release here: http://bit.ly/volunteeringisgood
If you would like to reap the benefits that volunteering can bring you, don't be shy. We have a waiting list of folks who are looking for help, especially in the East Bay and San Francisco. Just give Don M. Franklin a call at 415-694-7371 or email him at dmfranklin@lighthouse-sf.org.
Becoming a Personal Services Volunteer - What's in it for me?
 | | Caption: Personal Services Volunteer Kurt Lipschutz works with LightHouse client Alfrits Ngantung |
Although we value all our volunteer programs, we are particularly proud of our Personal Services Program, whereby we match volunteers with blind people to accomplish a variety of tasks such as reading mail and running errands.
As a Personal Services Volunteer you are matched one-on-one with a blind or visually impaired person to meet once a week, every other week or once a month for two to three hours to assist with everyday tasks. You may meet at the person's home or you may meet at the LightHouse. Volunteers are placed all over the Bay Area. To sign up for this very special program, just give Volunteer Coordinator Don M. Franklin a call at 415-694-7371 or email him at dmfranklin@lighthouse-sf.org.
Sign Up with us to Volunteer at Enchanted Hills - March 17
 | | Caption: Volunteers from U.C. Davis work on the Enchanted Hills pool shade structure |
Our next Enchanted Hills Camp Volunteer Day will be Saturday, March 17, when we will continue to work on a variety of fun camp-improvement projects. From unskilled field cleanup to semi-skilled painting and fire abatement, we'll match what you can do to the needs of a place beloved in our community. We hope you or your group will join us. For more information or to sign up, contact LightHouse Volunteer Coordinator Don Franklin at dmfranklin@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7371.
"I just want to say thank you for the opportunity to support the LightHouse for the Blind last weekend. Our students enjoyed their experience, and we greatly appreciate the transportation and lunch you provided." -- Chad Zibelman, buildOn
Editor's note: If you know of a company team with skills in contracting, electrical, heating, plumbing or other construction expertise, we'll always find important work for them to do to help our blind community. At camp they can stay overnight, enjoy nature, and bond with each other and our staff. Please contact Tony Fletcher at 415-694-7319 or afletcher@lighthouse-sf.org to see how the skills your company might take for granted could be of enormous help for our camp and facilities.
LightHouse of the North Coast Volunteer Liz Ennis Shows Us the Money
 | | Caption: Volunteer Liz Ennis |
"When my husband John started losing his sight, we learned we had a fabulous resource right in our own backyard," said Elizabeth "Liz" Ennis. "[Until we found the LightHouse], the focus had been on medical solutions and ailment rather than the human being. LightHouse provided support when we [didn't know] what the next step looked like or how much help available equipment was going to offer John."
Liz has recently become a volunteer for our North Coast office in a big way. She is periodically available as a driver and recently assisted us with our North Coast "Changing Lives When Vision Changes" workshop. But her biggest coup to date is helping us to get a $1,200 grant from Rotary Club of Southwest Eureka. This grant has gone towards the purchase of a range of portable, digital magnifiers that LightHouse of the North Coast will use for evaluating and training clients with low vision.
Liz was an ideal candidate to help us get the Rotary grant. Through her self-owned company, On-Call CFO, she offers financial expertise to small businesses that cannot afford to employ a full-time Chief Financial Officer. And both Liz and John are active with the Rotary Club of Southwest Eureka, which helps support seniors with community service and funding. Liz explained, "When this Rotary District 'Simplified Grant' came up, I saw an opportunity to help the LightHouse."
Why does she volunteer with the LightHouse? "I felt that I wanted to give back for all the wonderful things LightHouse did for John: braille, cane training, equipment advice, help negotiating the Department of Rehabilitation and emotional support."
We applaud Liz Ennis for the work she has done to support our programs. Thank you, Liz!
Volunteers - Mapping the Lifeblood of our Agency
 | | Caption: Volunteer Coordinator Don M. Franklin stands next to Volunteer Map |
LightHouse is honored to have the assistance and dedication of a vibrant, enthusiastic and very generous group that does volunteer work throughout the Bay Area and North Coast. We are so proud of them and impressed by the area they cover that we decided to create a map showing where they do their work.
Using print, braille and colored pins, the map gives visitors an idea of the various types of volunteers who work for us and the geographical area they cover. Volunteer categories include Personal Services volunteers, Enchanted Hills volunteers, General volunteers (meal service and clerical), Special Events volunteers and Garden volunteers. The map hangs in the lobby of LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters, so if you are visiting be sure to check it out.
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12. LightHouse Lightning Takes Home 2nd-place BORP Beanies
 | | Caption: LightHouse Lightning members pose with tournament participants |
Team LightHouse Lightning proudly took second place after battling through four high-energy and intense games at the 17th annual regional Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP) Goalball Tournament last month.
Coached by Enchanted Hills Camp Director Tony Fletcher, the three-man team consisted of LightHouse Technology Associate Shen Kuan at center, LightHouse Community Services Coordinator Brandon Young on left wing and LightHouse friend Tom Foley on right wing.
Lightning's first game was played against team LCD. The game turned into a showcase for our Brandon Young; every throw flirted dangerously close to the highball line. Eventually, Young contributed six of the 12 goals scored against the opposing team, and LightHouse Lightning won with a final score of 12 to 3.
Lightning's second game is best summarized by Jonathan Newman, the tournament's head referee and Adult Sports Coordinator at BORP: "A much-anticipated contest pitted team Raw Energy against LightHouse Lightning. Raw Energy's Nick Gasaway and LightHouse's Brandon Young took turns blasting away at each other all game in a thrilling offensive show. LightHouse center Shen Kuan took a hard shot to the face in the waning moments of the first half that had LightHouse down to two players as Kuan went to the bench for repairs. A recovered Kuan returned for the second half of a LightHouse 10-to-4 victory. Young tallied eight of the 10 winning goals."
Lightning's semi-final game was played against team 2-1/2 Men. In the first half, it looked like Lightning would lose; they were down by four goals despite the efforts of Young and Foley on the wings. The second half was a whole different game! With less than five minutes to go in the game, Young cannoned a goal through the defensive wall of 2-1/2 Men and scored four more goals on his next six throws to give Lightning a 5-to-4 lead. This proved to be all Lightning needed for the win as 2-1/2 Men could not crack Lightning's defense in the second half of the game.
Two former Paralympic goalball teammates, current USA player Joe Hamilton of the River Bats and Brandon Young led their teams into the BORP tournament's title game. The first half of the title game ended in a 3-3 tie-Young scoring the three goals for LightHouse Lightning. In the second half of the game, the River Bats put up a solid defensive wall and used goals from Hamilton and Khemnesuel Fisher to earn a 5-to-3 win and the Championship.
Overall, LightHouse Lightning scored a cool 30 goals throughout the day (22 of those goals made by superstar Brandon Young). Awesome offense, and equally as awesome defense, earned Lightning a second-place finish in the goalball tournament.
The prize for taking second? A cool, dark blue BORP beanie with gold lettering proclaiming: "BORP GOALBALL TOURNAMENT 17" on the front and "2ND PLACE" on the back.
Special recognition to Shen Kuan, who was honored for playing his 15th goalball tournament. His prize? A BORP tournament 17 sweatshirt.
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13. Kiwis on Holiday
 | | Caption: LightHouse CEO Bryan Bashin (center) stands with Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind's Thomas Bryan and Association of Blind Citizens' Rose Wilkinson |
On January 6 two prominent members of the New Zealand blind community, Thomas Bryan, a manager at the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind, and Rose Wilkinson, the Executive Officer of the Association of Blind Citizens, New Zealand, paid a visit to LightHouse Headquarters in San Francisco. Mr. Bryan and Ms. Wilkinson were in the city on holiday, and they used this opportunity to learn about the LightHouse and our programs and services, as well as to meet and share ideas with our staff members.
Once they arrived at the LightHouse, Mr. Bryan and Ms. Wilkinson were given a tour by Information Resource Specialist Frank Welte, and they were introduced to many staff members who explained our various programs and services. They were particularly intrigued by our audible, tactile BART station maps. After the tour our visitors met with Executive Director Bryan Bashin, who led a lively and informative discussion about LightHouse history, mission and operations, and how this compares with blindness service delivery and consumer activities in New Zealand.
The information-sharing continued as Employment Immersion Program Coordinator Kate Williams and Frank accompanied Thomas and Rose to lunch, discussing strategies for getting more visually impaired people gainfully employed and comparing notes on other subjects, both serious and otherwise.
Finally, after returning from lunch to explore our Adaptations store, we sent our new friends on their way with warm wishes and the expectation of more contacts between the LightHouse and our counterparts in New Zealand.
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14. LightHouse Welcomes the Following New Staff Members:
John Liang - Director of Community Services
 | | Caption: John Liang |
We'd like to welcome John Liang, who joins us as our new Director of Community Services. The Director of Community Services manages programs for youth, adults and seniors, as well as Adaptations, the LightHouse Store.
John has worked in the fields of social services and education for over 20 years. Additionally, he brings 15 years of direct experience in blind field services. He began his career at the Rose Resnick Center in 1990 and has since worked for Braille Institute, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired (2010), and most recently with Lions Center for the Blind.
John attributes much of his passion and commitment to working in blind field services to the truly amazing people he has had the privilege and honor to work with over the years-and, of course, to the many endearing friendships, alliances and partnerships he has cultivated within the blind community. According to John, the decision to return to the LightHouse as Director of Community Services was quite simple: "Not only is SF LightHouse one of the preeminent blind services agencies in the United States, but also, and perhaps more importantly, I truly believe the culture, infrastructure and mission of LightHouse are built upon and driven by integrity, professionalism, innovation and an unwavering commitment to the overall well-being of the blind community."
When not at work, John enjoys surfing, mountain biking, hiking, yoga, painting/art, cooking, reading, REAL dark coffee, time with friends, and most of all, hangin' out with his favorite person on the planet-his wife, Amy.
Rick Taggs - Site Manager/Enchanted Hills Retreat
 | | Caption: Rick Taggs |
We're pleased to announce that Rick Taggs has been hired by the LightHouse as Site Manager for Enchanted Hills Retreat (http://www.enchantedhillsretreat.com/).
Rick is not new to Enchanted Hills. In 2002, he began volunteering there and grew to love it. He was hired as a driver and lifeguard and eventually began working as an Associate Site Director for United Camps, Conferences and Retreats (UCCR), the organization that managed the Enchanted Hills campsite through 2011. Now that LightHouse has taken over year-round management of the campsite and is vigorously promoting Enchanted Hills Retreat, we're glad to continue our working relationship with Rick in his new position as Site Manager.
Prior to working at Enchanted Hills, Rick spent 23 years in the U.S. Coast Guard and retired as a chief engineer. He has work experience in hospitality and commercial food service, home heating and air conditioning, building, painting and landscaping. In addition to his expertise in facilities management, he is a carpenter and all-around fix-it guy with a deep commitment and passion to making Enchanted Hills Retreat and Camp the most successful facility around. He says, "I have a love of the outdoors and an equally strong love of Enchanted Hills...it is a wonderful place with great potential."
Says Camp Director Tony Fletcher, "Rick is very knowledgeable about our site, our programs and our philosophy as an organization. We are extremely happy to have Rick rejoin our team as Site Manager."
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15. Adaptations Featured Item of the Month - Apple iPhone User Guide for iOS 5.0 in Braille
Adaptations is now selling copies of the authorized braille transcription of Apple's iPhone User Guide for iOS 5.0 Software. The guide comes complete with alt tag descriptions and 32 chapters covering everything you need to know, including detailed information on Accessibility (chapter 31) and Siri (chapter 4).
The LightHouse is the only authorized distributor of braille versions of Apple user manuals. Adaptations is selling the Apple iPhone User Guide for iOS 5.0 in Braille for $29.95.
Special Sale: Receive a 10% discount on the Apple iPhone User Guide for iOS 5.0 in Braille during the month of February!
Purchase the braille iPhone iOS5 manual and any of the others we have available by clicking here:
http://bit.ly/iosbraille or call our store at our toll-free number, 1-888-400-8933.
The Adaptations store is located at LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters. Hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and every third Saturday of the month from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
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16. NFB Early Explorers Program
The National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute announces the NFB Early Explorers Program. This free program is designed to introduce young blind children (age birth to 7) and their families to the long white cane.
Read more here: http://bit.ly/nfbearlyexplorers Click Here to Return to the Table of Contents |
17. NFB, AFB Accepting Applications for 2012 Scholarships
Read about available scholarships from NFB and AFB here: http://bit.ly/nfb2012scholarships Click Here to Return to the Table of Contents |
18. The Association of Blind Citizens: Assistive Technology Fund
Operated by the Association of Blind Citizens, this fund provides financial resources to cover 50% of the retail price of adaptive devices or software. Products covered by this program retail for a minimum of $200 and a maximum of $6,000. Persons eligible to apply for assistance have a family income of less than $50,000 and cash assets of less than $20,000.
Applications must be submitted by June 30th and December 31st for each grant period (two per year). Applicants may submit one request per calendar year. All applications must be submitted via email. The ATF is limited to U.S. residents who are legally blind.
Follow this link for more information and instructions about the ATF:
http://www.blindcitizens.org/assistive_tech.htm
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19. Have You Had Problems Using Clipper Cards?
Disability Rights Advocates is investigating complaints regarding barriers that blind or visually impaired persons have experienced attempting to tag on or tag off at Caltrain stations using Clipper Cards. Read more here: http://bit.ly/clippercards Click Here to Return to the Table of Contents |
20. Space Camp Gives Blind Students New View of Science
Once a year the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL, opens its doors to provide a weeklong camp for students with visual impairments or who are blind.
Read more here:
http://bit.ly/blindspacecamp
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21. African Library Project Needs Your Braille Children's Books
The African Library Project coordinates book drives in the United States and partners with African schools and villages to start small libraries. Right now they are asking for donations of Braille children's books. These will go to primary schools in Swaziland (southern Africa) serving blind and visually impaired children. The books should be in English, aimed at children in preschool through 8th grade and need to be shipped by media mail so that they arrive in the Bay Area by March 1, 2012. For more information, email deborah@africanlibraryproject.org. Learn more about the African Library Project at www.africanlibraryproject.org.
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Monthly Edition
February 2012
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22. Connect with us on Facebook!
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Like Us on Facebook to receive updates, look at photos, and watch videos!
Plus, receive a 10% off coupon for Adaptations, the LightHouse Store! 
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Stay up to date on all the latest happenings at the LightHouse. Follow our Tweets:
http://twitter.com/lighthouse_sf
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