InFocus
The newsletter of The
LightHouse for the Blind
and Visually Impaired
Spring 2008 | Volume 10, Number 2
Thank you for reading this newsletter. As a vital part of the blind and visually impaired community, the LightHouse is dependent on the gifts of our many supporters. Gifts, at any level, are always appreciated and have a positive affect on the community. An envelope is enclosed for your convenience.
For information about donating to the LightHouse, please call us at 415-431-1481 or e-mail us at giving@lighthouse-sf.org.
InFocus-Spring 2008 (pdf)
Inside...
- "As I See It" by guest writer Kathy Knox
- Get Braille Maps
- Medical Transcription Training
- Insights 2007 Drawing Winner
- EHC Camp Schedule
- Tribute to Frances Neer
- Support the Frances Neer Fund
Braille Challenge 2008!
The Northern California Regional Braille Challenge took place at the LightHouse in San Francisco on February 9, 2008. This unique academic competition encourages blind and visually impaired children and youth to fine-tune their Braille skills, a critical part of career preparation. The LightHouse would like to thank the many volunteers who helped to make this event a supportive and fun competition for all!
Photo: Youth Braille Challenge participant examines his trophy
During this preliminary round of competition, participants ranging in age from 5 to 18 competed in categories that required them to transcribe text and read Braille using a Perkins Brailler. Each category is designed to test students' Braille skills in several areas: reading speed and comprehension; spelling; chart and graph reading; proofreading; and Braille speed and accuracy.
“Braille literacy is crucial to the academic success and future employability of a blind youth,” explained Vi Huynh, LightHouse Youth Services Coordinator. “Studies show that 90 percent of blind adults who successfully gain employment are Braille literate."
Photo: Smiling Youth participant with mom and trophy
One of the mothers in attendance at the Braille Challenge stated that her daughter “was feeling uncomfortable having to learn Braille because other kids were not learning Braille in her classroom. After spending the day at the Braille Challenge, she is very excited to be learning Braille and cannot wait to sign up for next year's Challenge!”
The Braille Challenge was an opportunity for families to network and for everyone who attended to be inspired by the hard work of these young contestants.
Photo: Proctor Jerry Kuhns administers test to Braille Challenge participant
As I See It
By Kathy Knox
In conjunction with our article on the Northern California Braille Challenge, we asked LightHouse Board member Kathy Knox to talk about the importance of Braille literacy.
I refused to learn Braille until the summer I turned fifteen, an entire year after I lost my vision. I relented to the perfectly reasonable pleas of my parents and teachers because – ever the typical teenager – I came to the conclusion my life would be easier if I could label the piles of identical-to-the-touch cassette tapes that made up my growing collection of pop music.
Naturally, the broader appeal and importance of being Braille-literate somewhat surpasses my initially limited scope. According to the National Federation of the Blind, 90% of the blind adults who manage to find employment are Braille readers. It should go without saying that Braille is crucial to being able to spell and punctuate, the cornerstones of appearing literate. Braille also helps in the study of foreign languages, math and science. In every academic subject and throughout life, Braille provides any blind person a means of keeping notes, making lists, cataloging information. Advances in access technology are only ever enhanced by a fluency with Braille.
Almost 25 years later, not one of those cherished cassette tapes of mine survive, but my Braille skills abide.
Get Braille Maps Through the LightHouse!
The LightHouse has begun producing Braille maps of neighborhoods in the continental U.S. As reported in February on KQED, and later on National Public Radio, LightHouse Board member Josh Miele, of the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Institute, has created the software that produces a tactile map of any U.S. address. These tactile maps (T-Maps) include a legend and are embossed using a View Plus embosser.
T-Maps are free to California residents, $15.00 to those outside of California. To request a map, call 415-694-7363. Please spell out the street address and cross street or intersection where you want to center the map. Turn-around is currently 7 to 10 business days. Go to http://www.kqed.org/quest/radio/view/747 to hear the KQED report on T-Maps.
Medical Transcription Training Offers Career Options for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Kathy Morales didn’t know that a high school course in licensed vocational nursing would come in handy thirty years later. Today, Kathy is one of three students in the inaugural LightHouse Medical Transcription Training class that began in January 2008. Kathy was born and raised in the Bay Area and was living in Hawaii when she unexpectedly lost her vision. She moved back to California to be near family and medical resources and found that her vision loss would force her to reevaluate the direction of her career. Despite the challenges she has faced in adjusting to her sudden vision loss, Kathy is confident that medical transcription training will facilitate secure career options when she completes the course. Of the class, Kathy says, “The workload was quite a shock. But I’ve quickly learned how to study, stay focused and not let the challenges defeat me.” The program is funded by the Mayor’s Office of Community Development.
Photo: Kathy Morales
Insights 2007 Drawing Winner Announced
Congratulations to Deanna Watson, who won the Insights 2007 Drawing – the prize, an iPod shuffle! Deanna visited our Insights 2007 Exhibition at San Francisco City Hall last fall and filled out a Comment Card. That’s all it takes to enter this year’s drawing, so stay tuned for more information about Insights 2008.
Enchanted Hills Camp 2008 Summer Schedule
| May 16-May 18 | Providers Weekend |
| June 14-June 17 | Deaf-Blind Session |
| June 13-June 18 | Staff Training |
| June 19-June 25 | Adult Session |
| June 26-June 29 | Family Camp One |
| June 30-July 5 | Adults with Special Needs Session |
| July 6-July 12 | Elementary Session (Grades 1-5) |
| July 16-July 19 | Veterans Session |
| July 20-July 27 | Jr. High Session (Grades 6-9) |
| July 31-August 9 | High School Session (Grades 10-12) |
| August 13-August 16 | Family Camp Two |
A Granddaughter’s Tribute to Frances Neer (1915–2007)
My grandmother, Frances Neer, lost her vision in her 70’s due to Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration. In her book, Dancing in the Dark, she wrote “When I realized I was losing my vision I took myself to bed and sobbed for three whole days. On the fourth day I arose and said, enough already, I’m going downtown to buy a cappuccino maker!”
Granny decided to help others by teaching them about vision loss. She started support groups and led discussion forums as it was essential to her that people with vision loss and specialists like ophthalmologists exchange valuable information to educate and support each other.
My Granny was an inspiration to me. I miss her laughing eyes.
--Christine Neer
Frances Neer was a pioneer and advocate in the community. In honor of her commitment to helping people with vision loss, the LightHouse has established the Frances Neer Fund. This fund will cover the cost of exams at the Low Vision Clinic at the LightHouse for those who do not have the financial means to benefit from this essential rehabilitative service. A Low Vision exam is performed by trained specialists who determine functional vision, recommend strategies and techniques for maximizing remaining eyesight, and prescribe adaptive aids and appliances.
Support the Frances Neer Fund by making a contribution through the mail, by check or credit card, or usine our website donation form. Thank you!
LightHouse InFocus is published quarterly by LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Board of Directors
Gil Johnson, President
Ed Zaik, Immediate Past President
Todd Stevenot, Vice President
Arthur Beato, Vice President
Harry Mar, Vice President
Carl Janson,
Treasurer
Jordana Welles, Secretary
Anita Shafer Aaron, Executive Director/CEO
David Chan, Joseph Chan, Margie Donovan, Julle Down, James Graziani, Rebecca Handler, Dana Hooper, Kathleen Knox, Barbara J. Lassen, Joshua A. Miele, Ph.D., Leslie Murphy, Gary Schnitzer, Keith Williams
Contributors
Anita Shafer Aaron, George Clark, Kathy Knox, Ellen Lord, Andrea Ogarrio, Kari Orvik, Jennifer Yeagley
Layout - Krista Wissing
LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, LightHouse of Marin and LightHouse of the North Coast provide solutions for those living with vision loss. Drawing on over 100 years of service to the blind and visually impaired community, the LightHouse offers crucial services for those with vision loss. Our goal is to help each one of our clients achieve independence in their lives.
LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
214 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone 415-431-1481
Fax 415-863-7568
TTY 415-431-4572
www.lighthouse-sf.org
