LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
2008 Annual Report
TECHNOLOGY AND THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED
Nothing is Impossible
Please note: The Financials section of this report is available online in a separate Excel document, at
Changes in technology are continual and pervasive. Accessible technology, using audio or large print or refreshable Braille, has opened so manydoors for blind and visually impaired people in accomplishing tasks of daily living, access totravel and navigation, employment and community participation. It’s also caused thedevelopment of an entire infrastructure of developers and vendors who are attempting tokeep up with the changing technology landscape.
But with these changes come challenges. There’s still far more in our environment that isnot accessible to blind and visually impaired individuals than is. There’s still debate on whatconstitutes access for the greatest number of people and which of the access alternativesis best used in which situation. And, finally, there’s the public will and the economicrealities of today. Assistive technology provides real and measurable access to individualsexperiencing vision loss. However, whether it’s a talking alarm clock, cell phone, microwaveor computer system; there’s a cost – and usually a significant one – associated with theiracquisition. With an unemployment rate of 70%, individuals who are blind and visuallyimpaired are often not in a position to purchase assistive technology items on their own.
In addition, competition for limited resources means constant vigilance by individuals andconsumer groups to keep access issues in front of politicians and bureaucrats. And, we canadd the slowing economy to the list of obstacles between blind people and thetechnology that will make living and working independently more obtainable.
2009 will prove to be an interesting and exciting year. With your support, we’ll be backnext year to report on our progress.
Anita Shafer Aaron, Executive Director and CEO
“However far modern science and techniques have fallen short of their inherent possibilities, they have taught mankind at least one lesson; nothing is impossible.”
Lewis Mumford
LightHouse Technology Services and Benefits
LightHouse services empower people of all ages who are visually impaired to lead safe, active and independent lives.Technology plays a critical role in providing solutions for people with vision loss. The LightHouse offers the following
technology services and benefits to individuals who are blind or visually impaired:
Access Technology Training
Familiarizes individuals with technologies like screen readers, magnifiers and Braille embossers, as well as teachesindividuals basic computer skills. Training on PC and Mac is available.
TechCenter Open Lab
This drop-in setting allows those learning new technologies to practice skills and receive assistance from lab proctors.
Quarterly Technology Seminars
Hosted by our Vision Loss Resource Center (VLRC), the LightHouse offers quarterly seminars dedicated to educatingattendees on cutting edge, low cost adaptive technology. Archived seminars are available on our website.
Information Conversion
As part of our mission to advocate for accessibility for blind and visually impaired individuals, the LightHouse offersinformation conversion to alternative formats, including Braille, audio and digital formats such as DAISY.
Broadcast Services
Broadcasting 24 hours a day, LightHouse broadcast services (known as Access to Information Services (AIS) Radio) deliverslocal Bay Area news, magazine articles, literature and information via the Second Audio Program (SAP) of KTVU TelevisionChannel 2 and can be heard on the internet. We maintain an archive of AIS Radio broadcasts available on our website.
Technology Information and Resources
The VLRC provides in-depth information, referral and detailed follow-up on a variety of subjects, including technology, forall callers to our toll-free 800-line or those who have sent in email inquiries.
Visit for more information on the range of programs and services offered by the LightHouse.
In the mid-1980s, LightHouse BoardPresident Gil Johnson realized that he would be“left behind” if he didn’t do one thing: “Ipurchased my own computer, an IBM XT, and myemployer – the LightHouse at that time –purchased a soundcard with software on it thatcould convert the bits and bytes into speech,” saysGil, who has been blind most of his life. After aweek’s training he met his first goal – to write amemo for his boss. With the help of a goodtechnology trainer, plus strong support from hisemployer, Gil brought himself up to speed withaccessible technology, and he’s closely followedthe trends ever since.
Over his lifetime, the 71-year-old has witnessedthe immense development of technology. Thoughthere are still shortcomings, Gil emphasizes thatthe accessibility of information today is muchgreater than it was 20 to 40 years ago. Thataccessibility, he says, is critical to enabling blindpeople to fully participate. “We’re such aninformation-based society now that if you can’taccess that information you’re really going to beshortchanged.”
There are many ways that blind and visuallyimpaired people can access the same kind ofinformation that anybody else can. “To metechnology is not a goal into itself,” Gil says.“It’s a means to an end.”
“It’s wonderfulto have allthis technowhiz-bangstuff, but whyit’s wonderfulis because ofwhat it enablesus to do.”
Some people call him Mr. GPS,but not simply because he has a good sense ofdirection. Former LightHouse intern Kevin Chaocurrently beta tests accessible navigation devicesand gives presentations on the technology. TheBerkeley City College student even contributed his specialized knowledge during an Enchanted HillsCamp (EHC) session last year.
While it might seem like Kevin is a seasoned pro atusing adaptive technology, his introduction to itonly began about five years ago. Over a 6-monthperiod, Kevin went from being fully sighted tobecoming functionally blind due to Leber’sHereditary Optic Neuropathy.
“For the first few months it was pretty rough,” herecalls. “I was just trying to figure out why is thishappening to me. After a few months I just thought… I can either have it take over my life, or I canaccept it and move on and see what I can do.”
Kevin chose to move on. He learned Braille andbecame acquainted with technology such asZoomText, JAWS, talking cell phones and theBrailleNote, a PDA with optional GPS for blind users.“I think for the most part I have everything coveredbetween school, recreational things and work,” hesays. “For different types of internships and worktypethings I’ve done, using my laptop, theBrailleNote and my cell phone, I can pretty muchget anything done.”
“To get from point topoint I use GPS. Itis able to give methe distance anddirection to thatnext point.”
For Jerene Luna, there’s no doubtabout the role technology plays in her daily life.“I just love the computer,” says the 66-year-oldretired nurse and Pacifica resident. “I feel like it’smy lifeline.”
Jerene, who has diabetic retinopathy, experiencedsignificant vision loss in 2001 after undergoinglaser treatments. That year, Jerene’s rehabilitationcounselor set her up with a CCTV and a computeroutfitted with ZoomText. Though she had somekeyboarding and Excel experience prior to hervision loss, Jerene’s computer knowledge trulyincreased after she took adaptive computerclasses at SkylineCollege. She later enrolled inLightHouse classes, and Vision Loss SpecialistPatty Quiñonez taught her how to use theInternet and email.
“Once I took that Skyline class, it showed me a lotof things that I could do,” she explains, “I had topractice on it, and then I came to the LightHousefor the finishing touches.” Her CCTV is a criticaltool for reading documents and filling out forms,while her computer allows her to keep a list ofmedications, maintain a record of daily bloodpressure readings and communicate via email withher doctor as well as her friends.
Jerene can’t imagine what she would do without heradaptive technology. “It’s really opened up myworld.”
“I just love thecomputer. I feellike it’s mylifeline.”
When Jeff Samco, who is legally blinddue to a childhood form of macular degeneration,goes to work, he uses a screen reader, CCTV,digital voice recorder and talking barcode reader.At home, he finds himself surrounded by talkingclocks, talking calculators and talking caller ID.
The technology of the times has been an essentialpart of Jeff’s life, starting with cassette tapesthrough computers and CCTVs and now podcasts.“As capabilities have increased, I’ve latched on toa good number of them.”
Currently an assistive technology coordinator inGrassValley, Jeff was the recipient of theLightHouse 2007 Frances S. Miller EquipmentScholarship. The scholarship enabled him toupdate his screen reader, get a laptop and obtain atalking money management program. “I can nowmanage our family finances all on the sameWindows-based computer instead of the old DOScomputer and program I was using.”
When asked to imagine life without adaptivetechnology, Jeff says the absence of it would haveprecluded his 20-plus years as a ranger naturalistfor the National Park Service and other jobs. Hesays not having assistive technology wouldremove “options for recreational enjoyment suchas access to reading material and ongoingpersonal growth through learning.”
“There’s hardlya part of mylife adaptivetechnologydoesn’t touch.It’s all around.”
When LightHouse board memberJosh Miele says he’s motivated by self-interest todesign tools and technology, he’s actually thinkingof others, too. Josh, who is a Smith-KettlewellEye Institute Associate Scientist, has been blindsince childhood.
In collaboration with the LightHouse, Josh isworking on audio-tactile BART maps that willenable blind and visually impaired riders to plantheir travels through any BART station. The mapswill be programmed so that users can tap partswith a digital pen for station and scheduleinformation. “I’ve always loved maps, and I havealways wanted to be able to look at street maps ofthe areas that I was going to be walking around in.”
Josh believes tactile graphics will become moreprominent in the short term. Additionally, hethinks cell phones and social networking andcommunication technologies in general willbecome incredibly powerful, creatingextraordinary opportunities for improvedinformation accessibility for the blind. Whateveremerges in the future, there will always be adriving force in Josh’s work. “I am a blind personwho has never been satisfied by being told, ‘No,you can’t do that.’ I like to have information. I liketo be able to make my own decisions, and my owndecisions are based on the information I haveavailable to me.”
“It’s importantthat blind peoplebe involved indeveloping thetechnology thatwe use and need.”
Glossary of Assistive Technology Terms
Braille display
An electronic device that produces Brailleoutput by raising and lowering pins inrefreshable cells. The display attaches toa computer as a separate unit or is builtinto a Braille notetaker.
Braille embosser
Also called a Braille printer, a Brailleembosser produces text on Braille papervia input from a computer.
Braille notetaker
A type of personal digital assistant (PDA), e.g.HumanWare’s BrailleNote, that is portableand electronic. It has a Braille keyboard forentering information and a speechsynthesizer or Braille display for output. Itcan be attached to a computerfor file transfers.
CCTV (Desktop)
A video magnifier that is designed forstationary use on a desk or other worksurface. It is ideal for extended reading andwriting tasks because its monitor or screendisplays an ample portion of a documentand it offers a high level of availablemagnification.
CCTV (Handheld)
A compact video magnifier that is designed
for portable use. Due to its small size, it offers
less magnification than a desktop model.
DAISY
Digital Accessible Information System(DAISY) is the leading multimedia file formatfor digital talking books. It enables blind andprint-disabled individuals to freely accessand navigate content within a sequential andhierarchical structure that allows the optionof audio synchronization with full text.
Digital talking book
A type of electronic book format thatpresents information to blind and print-disabledusers in the form of alternativemedia (speech, refreshable Braille or largeprint). It allows for flexible and efficientaccess and navigation.
Digital talking book player
A machine or software program used to readand navigate digital talking book files.
JAWS
Job Access With Speech (JAWS) is a popularscreen reader for Windows-based computersthat is made by Freedom Scientific. In additionto reading information aloud, it can outputto refreshable Braille displays and it comeswith a scripting language that users canemploy to make many applications accessible.
Screen magnifier
A software program useful for people withlow vision that enlarges text and imagesshown on a computer monitor. Theseprograms work somewhat like a magnifyingglass that moves with the cursor to zoom inon either a specific area or the entire page.They typically provide options to adjust andenhance features such as color scheme,pointer and cursor.
Screen reader
A software program that converts text on acomputer screen into synthesized speech. Itallows blind and visually impaired users toaccess and control applications with keystrokecombinations, eliminating the need forsighted navigation and control by mouse.
Video magnifier
Also called a closed-circuit television(CCTV), a video magnifier is a desktop orhandheld device that uses a camera toproject an enlarged image of printedmaterials or other items onto a monitor ortelevision screen. It has controls for featuressuch as magnification level, contrast,brightness and color.
2008 year in review 2008 proved to be a year of innovation for LightHouse programs.
January:The inaugural class of the new Medical Transcription Program began the training of a new group of medical paraprofessionals.
February:The Youth Services Program was a first-time host of the Northern California Braille Challenge, a day-long contest designed toemphasize the importance of Braille proficiency. Also in February, the VisionLossResourceCenter began offering T-Maps: tactile maps ofindividual neighborhoods and other specific locations. The new program was featured in a story broadcast on National Public Radio.
April:Access to Information Services launched the new LightHouse Website, which combines attractive design with screen reader andmagnification accessibility. Also, in April, the Napa Rotary Club renewed its fundraiser for Enchanted Hills Camp with the 2008 Cyclefor Sight bicycling marathon.
May:In response to the weakening economy and stock market, LightHouse management conducted a two-day, line-by-line examinationof expenses and income to reduce spending for the 2009 fiscal year by $1M.
June:The Advocacy and Public Policy Program, with funding from the Department of Public Health, launched a Pedestrian Safety Program,including a Public Service Announcement promoting the idea “sidewalks are for everyone”. Also in June, the first phase of an on-goingfire abatement program at Enchanted Hills Camp was completed in an eco-friendly manner, utilizing a herd of 700 goats to clearbrush around the camp.
August:Vision Rehabilitation Services increased the effectiveness of its role with the San FranciscoCommunity Living Fund by adding aRegistered Nurse as LightHouse coordinator for the program.
October:We saw the closure of the LightHouse store in Marin as well as the creation of a new AdaptationsMobile Store designed to bring products into the various communities the LightHouse serves.Also, through advocacy efforts by the LightHouse, new accessibility standards were set by the SanFrancisco Department of Building Inspection relating to high tech destination elevators.
November:We launched E-Focus, a short email-only newsletter that highlights events and breaking newssignificant to our community. Go to to sign up!
December:The VisionLossResourceCenter completed its first full year of Technology Seminars, presentingprograms covering video reading machines, affordable technology solutions, health andtechnology and digital book readers.
Directory of Services
Recognizing that vision loss is a personal experience that affects individuals in different ways, the LightHouse hasdeveloped a diverse and comprehensive breadth of services to meet this challenge. Our staff provides thecommunity with accessible and professional services that in turn enhance clients’ quality of life.
Vision Rehabilitation Services
-Adjustment to Vision Loss/Peer FacilitatedVision Loss Support Groups
-Independent Living Skills Training/Living With Vision Loss Classes
-Orientation and Mobility Training Home Safety
-Low Vision Clinic (in partnership with UC Berkeley)
-Access Technology Training
-Worksite Evaluation and Training
-Braille Instruction
-Deaf-Blind Services
-Tactile Communication Skills Training
Community Services
-Adult Education and Recreation
-Youth Program
-Enchanted Hills Camp (a 311-acre camp in Napa)
-Peer Discussion Group
-Taxi Voucher Program
-TechCenter Open Lab
-Advocacy
Information Services
-VisionLossResourceCenter (Information and Referral)
-Access to Information Services: news reading services
-AlternativeFormatResourceCenter(Braille Transcription and Recording Services)
-Resources and Information(LightHouse website Lantern,InFocus and E-Focus newsletters)
-Technology Seminars
-Tactile Maps for Specific Locations
Business Services
-Adaptations, the LightHouse Store(
-LightHouse Industries
-Youth Employment Services and Internships
-Digital Data Scan
-Medical Transcription Training
-Braille Solutions
Community Outreach
-Publications(i.e. the Lantern and InFocus newsletters)
-Presentations (to community organizations)
-Website
-Vision Loss Awareness
LightHouse Vision
Every individual who loses theirvision is unique in the servicesthey need. But every individualhas one thing in common: theright to access services whichenable them to live asindependently as possible. Atthe LightHouse, we offer a fullcomplement of training,educational and recreationalservices, which help makeindependent living a reality forour clients.
LightHouse Mission
The LightHouse promotesindependence, equality, andself-reliance of blind andvisually impaired individualsthrough rehabilitation trainingand access to other relatedservices.
Who We Are
Founded in 1902, theLightHouse has expanded itsgeographic reach and servicesto become the mostcomprehensive organizationserving the blind and visuallyimpaired in Northern California.The LightHouse is a private,nonprofit organization and taxexemptunder Section 501(C) (3)of the Internal Revenue Code.Our tax identification number is94-1415317.
With your support,The LightHouseimpacts the lives ofnearly 3,000 blindand visuallyimpaired individualsand their familieseach year withrobust andinnovative programsand servicesthat promoteindependence.If you are interestedin supporting usthrough monetaryor in-kind donations,or by volunteering,call us at 415-431-1481or visit our websiteat