What's New
LIGHTHOUSE STATEMENT REGARDING SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE SKIT CONCERNING GOVERNOR PATERSON
By Tara A. Cortes, PhD. RN, President and CEO
"Lorne Michaels, the cast and writers of Saturday Night Live should know better. In their skit of Governor Paterson they crossed the line between parody and pandering to demeaning stereotypes.
Governor Paterson, like all elected officials, should be judged by his actions. To use his disability as the focal point of comedy is in very poor taste. We applaud the courage it takes every day for people who are blind and visually impaired to live productively and effectively. Saturday Night Live has taken a cheap shot at that courage. When Governor Paterson assumed office, Lighthouse International, along with many advocates for people who are visually impaired, shared a sense of pride that progress had been made in dispelling stereotypes. SNL has set that progress back. They should issue an on-air apology".
New York Post Features Lighthouse Music School
The New York Post is featuring The Filomen M. D'Agostino Greenberg Music School's Annual Holiday Caroling event in a video titled "Song For The Holidays". Music School Director Leslie Jones was interviewed as were several chorus members.
Please note: in order to view the video below, JavaScript must be enabled.
October 2008
NOTICE OF CLASS ACTION
This notice contains important information for you:
IF You apply for or receive retirement, survivors, or disability insurance benefits or Supplemental Social Security Income (SSI) payments from Social Security;
OR IF You are the representative payee for an individual who receives Social Security benefits or SSI;
AND You have a visual impairment that substantially limits your ability to see, so that you require materials to be in an accessible format in order to participate in these programs.
A federal court has authorized a class action lawsuit against the Social Security Administration (SSA) on behalf of people with visual impairments who require communications from SSA to be in an accessible format in order to participate in the Social Security or SSI programs. The court has authorized two classes: If you have a visual impairment that substantially limits the major life activity of seeing and you (1) apply for or are receiving Social Security or SSI benefits, or (2) are the representative payee for a Social Security beneficiary or SSI recipient, then you are a member of at least one of the two classes. This means that the court's decision in this case may affect your rights. The case, called American Council of the Blind v. Astrue,No. C05-04696, is pending in the Federal district court in San Francisco, California.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to find that SSA has violated a federal law called the Rehabilitation Act. The Rehabilitation Act says disabled individuals cannot be denied meaningful access to Federal programs and benefits. Plaintiffs, who include the American Council of the Blind, are asking the court to order SSA to provide communications in alternative formats such as Braille, large print, electronic mail, computer disk, and audio recording to make sure that people with visual impairments have meaningful access to SSA's programs. This case does not include any claims for money damages.
This notice tells you about your right to intervene in this case, submit comments, and how to contact plaintiffs' class counsel. You do not have to intervene or take any action in response to this notice in order to be included in the class or affected by the outcome of the case. If you want to intervene or have questions about this case, you should contact class counsel listed below at either the toll-free 800 number or the email provided at the end of this notice by December 31, 2008.
The court would like maximum input from the class members. The same number and email may be used to provide class counsel with suggestions about how SSA can effectively communicate with people who have visual impairments. You should give class counsel your comments by December 31, 2008.
Please do not telephone the court, the court clerk's office, or SSA for information about this case. If you require this notice in an alternative format such as Braille, large font print, audio recording or computer disk, please leave your name, request and delivery address at the number or email listed below.
ARLENE B. MAYERSON
SILVIA YEE
DISABILITY RIGHTS EDUCATION
AND DEFENSE FUND, INC. (DREDF)
Telephone: 1-800-348-4232
E-Mail: ssaclassaction@dredf.org
Lighthouse Opens the NYSE
Lighthouse International visited the New York Stock Exchange on October 28, 2008, in recognition of World Sight Day, which was celebrated earlier in the month. Dr. Tara Cortes, President and CEO of the Lighthouse, rang the opening bell, accompanied by staff members and volunteers from the organization. See video of the event.
Light Years: Lighthouse International Salutes the Arts Lighthouse International held their Light Years - Lighthouse International Salutes the Arts gala on Monday October 20th at Cipriani 42nd Street. Chuck Scarborough served as emcee for the night and other notable guests came to support the organization. Such guests included Jaonna Mastroianni, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Joanne De Guardiola, Arlene Dahl, Jamee Gregory, Hilary Ross, Amy Fine Collins, and Karen LeFrak. This year's honorees included Iris B. Apfel, Michael Feinstein, Mario Buatta, and Katherine L. Oliver. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg stopped by to honor his colleague "K.O." a.k.a. Katherine L. Oliver, Commissioner of the New York City Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting. Brian Stokes Mitchell took the stage with a beautiful acoustic version of "What a Wonderful World," and praised his fellow performer extraordinaire Michael Feinstein. While accepting his award, Mr. Feinstein surprisingly turned to the orchestra asking for a key of F. Gala goers were blissfully shocked by Feinstein's rendition of a specially worded song about Lighthouse International. The evening was a hit and Lighthouse is thrilled with the amount of support they had to help salute the arts. Information on Accessible Voting With just weeks left until the November 4th general elections, voter accessibility has become a hot issue in the community. Up until recent years, blind and visually impaired voters needed assistance in order to cast their ballot. However, after the presidential election of 2000, election reform became a legislative priority and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) was signed into law in 2002. HAVA requires that each voting system used in federal elections must be accessible for individuals with disabilities, including people who are blind or have low vision. This includes the ability to vote independently and privately. While each state complies with HAVA in their own way, for the coming election registered New York City voters will have the option to cast a ballot using a Ballot Marking Device (BMD). The Board of Elections in the city of New York is installing at least one BMD at each poll site. The BMD works by using either its ATM-style touch screen, Braille-enhanced keypad, sip & puff device or a rocker paddle. BMDs are different in each state, so be sure to make yourself aware of your polling place's accommodations well in advance of November 4th: Click here to find the contact information for the Board of Elections in your state. Click here to read more about your rights as a voter who is visually impaired. Apple Takes on iPod and iTunes Accessibility In late 2001 the computer giant, Apple, released a product that would eventually change the way the world listened to music: the iPod. In the following 7 years, Apple has continued to improve on its original iPod, creating products such as the iPod Nano and Touch, revolutionizing portable music players. However, up to this point, Apple had been missing a key component to its tech savvy designs: accessibility for people who were visually impaired. "Before the release of the new iPod Nano, people with visual impairments either had to randomly shuffle through their music collections, memorize every menu and playlist, or simply not use iPods at all," said Dr. Tara Cortes, President and CEO of Lighthouse International. But with the new iPod Nano, and an accompanying announcement of future iTunes accessibility improvements, that's all changed. The new iPod includes spoken menus, large font options, and high contrast settings. To read more about the new iPod Nano's enhanced functionality, click here. Just weeks after releasing the updated iPod, Apple also announced strides it was making to create more fully accessible iTunes and iTunes Store interfaces. On September 29, the National Federation for the Blind and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts announced an agreement with Apple to make iTunes fully accessible. Though the newest version of iTunes (iTunes 8) does boast expanded accessibility such as compatibility with screen readers, the company has agreed to make iTunes U (the iTunes store devoted to content from educational institutions) completely accessible by the end of this year, with full iTunes accessibility to follow by June of 2009. Read the full announcement here. Said Dr. Cortes: "This is exciting news for people who are visually impaired. Audio files such as podcasts and online radio broadcasts have been a natural fit for our community, but many of our clients felt left behind in the iPod craze. We applaud Apple for making a commitment to ensure ALL users access to their products and services, and look forward to more such innovations in the future." Pope Benedict XVI receives the Macular Disease Patient Charter Lighthouse International, as members of AMD Alliance International, is proud to announce that in late September, Pope Benedict XVI was presented with the Macular Disease Patient Charter by tandem cyclists ending their awareness raising tour at the Vatican. The Macular Disease Patient Charter is a bill of rights providing an essential road map for those living with macular disease. AMD Alliance International's vision is a world free from the devastating impacts of macular disease, and, until that is achieved, they and their members will fight tirelessly to achieve hope through awareness, research, treatment and support for those who are impacted. Read more about the AMD Alliance International papal visit. LIGHTHOUSE MARKS WORLD SIGHT DAY BY EDUCATING SENIORS ON EYE HEALTH To mark World Sight Day and raise awareness of the growing rate of vision loss, experts from Lighthouse International will present lectures at 3 senior citizens centers during the month of October to inform seniors about what they can do to prevent vision loss and preserve the vision they have. World Sight Day, marked across the globe, calls attention to the fact that most of the blindness in the world is preventable. In the United States millions are at-risk of vision loss due to aging baby boomers and diseases such as diabetes and age related macular degeneration. Education and action are essential to preserving sight. Coinciding with the theme of World Sight Day 2008 "The Aging Eye", the lectures entitled Early Action Saves Sight will review eye diseases and symptoms and what immediate actions seniors should take if they have symptoms. The lectures will take place at: Macular Degeneration Awareness Week Five steps can help prevent age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in America
While age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in those over 50 and affects more than 10 million Americans, a study conducted by the AMD Alliance International (AMDAI) reveals that among those at high-risk of losing their sight from AMD, only about half (56 percent) reported seeing an eye doctor once a year or more, as is recommended.
Contrary to popular belief, blindness can, in many cases, be prevented or delayed, according to the AMD Alliance International, a global coalition working to raise awareness about macular degeneration (AMD). Making lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and eating a proper diet can make a big difference in preventing AMD, while taking a self-exam called the Amsler Grid, prevents blindness by detecting the disease early.
"In the last few years, research shows that preventative steps can reduce the risk of macular degeneration," says Dave Herman, chair of the AMD Alliance International. "There's no guarantee, but there certainly are some things you can do to protect your sight and reduce the chances of getting this disease."
September 21-27, 2008 is Macular Degeneration Awareness Week. Lighthouse International and the AMD Alliance International urge peopoe tp take these five steps to protect their vision.
Quit smoking: Smoking has been linked to many diseases, but few people know that eye disease is one of them! Macular degeneration is up to seven times more likely among smokers, and the more you smoke, the greater your riski.
Eat well: Diets rich in vitamins C, E, beta-carotene and the mineral zinc resulted in a 35% lower risk of developing macular degeneration in people over the age of 55ii. Diets rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, found mainly in dark green leafy vegetables, can also help protect against macular degeneration. Also, watch your fat and cholesterol intake. A high-fat, high-cholesterol diet can lead to plaque deposits in blood vessels in the central macula region of your eyes. This can hamper blood flow and increase your risk of macular degeneration.
Limit sun exposure: Some recent scientific studies show that excessive exposure, particularly to ultraviolet (UV) light, is a risk factor for AMD. Wear sunglasses and a hat to protect your eyes from bright sunlight, even in the winter.
Take a self eye exam: The Amsler Grid is a simple, self-exam that you can do periodically at home to test for macular degeneration. It takes just 30 seconds to do and can literally save your sight. Detecting the disease early means people can receive sight saving treatment. Download a free copy at www.amdalliance.org/information/preventionandearlydetection/checkyoureyesight.php and remember to follow the instructions carefully.
Visit an eye care expert: Macular degeneration can be present in the eye without any symptoms, but with regular eye exams, your eye doctor can detect and treat the disease, preventing blindness. You should have an eye exam at least every two years after age 50 and more frequently as you get older, especially if you have other risk factors for the disease.
- Windows Vista Hot Keys
- LowBrowse -- Lighthouse International's new Firefox accessibility add-on
- Assistive Technology Buying Tips
- Accessible Media
- Wear Protective Eyewear.
a. Young Athletes should wear appropriate sports-specific protective eyewear as recommended and properly fitted by an ophthalmologist or other eye care professional. Lenses should be made of polycarbonate which is 20 times stronger than lenses of typical glasses. - Make sure you child gets a thorough eye examination before participating in sports.
a. More than 12.1 million school-age children, or one in four, have some form of vision problem. In many cases, with early detection and treatment, the chance of restoring vision is excellent. - Parents should have an active role in enforcing what their children wear while engaging in sports.
a. It is a good idea for parents to set a good example by wearing eye protection themselves when they play sports. - Special Consideration should be given to athletes with good vision in only one eye, or with a history of eye injury.
a. Such athletes should never participate in boxing or full-contact martial arts.
b. If a facemask or helmet is required, one-eyed athletes should also wear sports goggles with a polycarbonate lens and the helmet should fit properly and have a chinstrap. - Be an advocate.
a. Parents should advocate for eye protection for their child as many children's sports leagues, schools and teams don't require children to wear eye protection. New York Times: The Blind Welcome a Ruling That May Help Them Count Their Cash
Lighthouse International: Money Matters - tips to help identify dollar denominations
All About Low Vision
Low vision (which includes those who are legally blind) is a partial vision loss that cannot be corrected. Here you can find simulations, causes, and tips on living with low vision.Legal Blindness
With many news stories focusing on Mr. Paterson, the question of "what is legal blindness" has been raised often. The term refers to what the vision is in your better eye. It means that the vision in your better eye is at least 10 times worse than 20/20 or your side vision is about 15% of normal. This page provides you with the Social Security Administration's official standards and qualifications for the classification of legal blindness.Causes of Vision Impairment
Get statistics on the most prevalent causes of vision loss.Tips for Confident Living
Find out what techniques can be used by those individuals who are visually impaired to remain independent and productive both at work and at home.How We Can Help
Lighthouse International offers a wide range of services to help people who are visually impaired across the lifespan.Paterson's Reflections on Projecting Strength, Despite the Obstacles
In this article from the New York Times, State of New York governor-to-be David A. Paterson discusses his personal experiences as an individual with vision impairment.Glaucoma Overview
General information on the disease, such as symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, and risk factors.Statistics on Vision Impairment: Glaucoma
Learn about the increased incidence of Glaucoma in the African-American and Hispanic populations.- Low Vision Management of AMD
- Engaging Family Members when Vision Loss Hits Home
Child Development Center - for sighted and visually impaired children from birth to 5 years old
Youth Services - special education, social and career programs to help youngsters 6-13 and teens 14-18 years old
For people with certain risk factors such as age and genetics it is even more important to be proactive.
About Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is a degenerative disease that affects the macula, a specialized region located in the central part of the retina. It is responsible for central vision, which allows people to read, drive and recognize faces. AMD causes more than 30 million cases of visual impairment worldwide each year.
About AMD Alliance International
AMD Alliance International is a global non-profit coalition of vision and seniors' organizations working to raise awareness of macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in older populations. Members promote regular eye examinations and provide education about prevention, treatments, rehabilitation and support services available for people with macular degeneration and their families, friends and caregivers. Comprised of 60 member organizations in over 22 countries, AMD Alliance International is the only global body focused exclusively on macular disease.
iSchmidt et al. Cigarette Smoking and LOC387715 in AMD. Am J Hum Genet. 2006 Mar;78(5):852-86.
iivan Leeuwen et al. The Dietary Intake of Antioxidants and Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Study. JAMA 2005.
Did you miss LITE 2008? In the coming weeks, Lighthouse International will be posting recaps of all of the seminars given at our inaugural technology expo. In the meantime, check out some of our accessibility information, and be on the lookout for updates coming soon!
Target.com Website Accessibility Lawsuit Settled
On August 28, it was announced that the Target Corporation had agreed to a $6 million settlement of a class-action lawsuit filed in early 2006. The lawsuit, which was filed by the National Federation for the Blind (NFB), claimed that the company's website, Target.com, was not accessible to web users with visual impairments, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
As a part of the settlement, Target agreed to update it's website to ensure its accessibility, which the NFB will be checking annually in accordance with the settlement.
"Lighthouse International is extremely pleased with the announcement of the settlement not only because it ensures that people with visual impairments will have access to the same products and services as the rest of the public, but also because it once again spotlights the importance of website accessibility across the country, and around the world," said Dr. Tara Cortes, President and CEO of Lighthouse International.
One of the main contentions of the lawsuit revolved around
For over a decade the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has urged web designers to keep things like
"Hopefully," said Dr. Cortes, "this settlement will encourage others who have not yet created fully-accessible websites to do so. The internet is an integral part of today's society, and one that everyone should have full access to."
September is Children's Eye Health Month!
As the back-to-school season swings into full gear, Lighthouse International recognizes September as Children's Eye Health Month. Approximately 42,000 sports-related eye injuries occur every year in the United States. Sports are the number one cause of eye injuries in children under the age of 16. The good news is that many of injuries are preventable.
Click here to learn more about Children's Eye Health including information on Pediatric Eye Disorders, education considerations and how to make smart toy choices.
Achilles Track Club Hope and Possibility Five-Mile Run
This summer, one current and six former participants of Lighthouse International Youth Transition Program joined six adults to form the Lighthouse International team in the Achilles Track Club Hope and Possibility five-mile run. The team had Lighthouse t-shirts made for the event, and their official times were calculated with time chips on their shoes. Before the race, the team met Governor Paterson and had a photo taken. The Friday prior to the event, some of the team met at the Lighthouse for a dinner with team captains and Achilles staff for a motivational presentation. This is the second year Lighthouse Youth Services has participated in the race, and they hope to run even faster next year!
(photo © New York Road Runners)
Filomen M. D'Agostino Greenberg Music School Pays Tribute to a Former Director
The staff and students of The Filomen M. D'Agostino Greenberg Music School are saddened by the sudden death of one of its former directors, Dr. Joseph Fields. Dr. Fields or "Joe" started teaching piano at the Lighthouse in 1986 and later became the Music School Director from 1995-1997. In addition, to being the Director of the Music School, he was the conductor of our chorus and the director our former opera workshop.
One of Dr. Field's piano students was Filomen M. D'Agostino Greenberg. She studied piano with Joe, both at the Music School and even at home, when she was no longer able to leave her apartment. Today the legacy of Mrs. Greenberg lives on in the naming of the Music School. We thank Joe for the enormous role he played in Mrs. Greenberg's quality of life and the continued impact that her Foundation's generosity has had on the vibrancy of the Music School.
Upon departure from the Lighthouse in 1998, Dr. Fields became the music director and principal conductor of the Dance Theater of Harlem, conducting the company's orchestra on many tours here and abroad including the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., as well as concerts in China, Europe and Australia.
In 2005, Dr. Fields became an associate professor, administrator of the music school and orchestra director at Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Fields is survived by his domestic partner, Ron Melichar of New York City and Scranton; his parents, Buddy and Betty; his brother David of Miami, Oklahoma; and a sister Sara and brother Daniel of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Celebrated Children's Book Author Reads to Students of the Child Development Center
On July 17th, 2008, acclaimed artist and author Paige Peterson read from her celebrated children's book Blackie, the Horse Who Stood Still to 50 sighted and visually impaired 3- and 4-year-olds in Lighthouse International's Child Development Center. The children listened attentively and curiously as Ms. Peterson and actor William Cart read the story of Blackie the horse.
Paige Peterson co-wrote and illustrated Blackie, the Horse Who Stood Still in 2006 with author Christopher Cerf. The book follows the primarily true story of a beloved horse that stood still for the last twenty-eight years of his forty year life. Blackie was considered the town symbol of Tiburon, CA and was also a part of Peterson's childhood until the horse died in 1966.
Following the reading, the students had the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session with Peterson regarding the book. Peterson's reading of the touching story of Blackie was a memorable experience for the youngsters at Lighthouse's Child Development Center preschool.
Paige Peterson is currently working in Manhattan and East Hampton, New York. Peterson has been widely recognized for her specialty paintings in landscapes, figural images, and diverse portraits. Her colorful and quirky work is derived from various forms and figures she encounters in her daily life.
Federal Court Rules Currency Unfair to Visually Impaired
On Tuesday, May 20, 2008, the US Federal Court of Appeals ruled that the United States Treasury is breaking the law by not creating currency that is identifiable by the blind or visually impaired. The ruling upheld a 2006 decision that keeping US currency the same size and texture violates the Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability.
In a statement released by Lighthouse International, President and CEO Dr. Tara A. Cortes reacted to the ruling, stating: "Our currency does discriminate and it needs to be changed. Most of the currencies of the world are different sizes as well as color for those who have some color vision. Many countries also include Braille on their bills. The only way for blind and visually-impaired people in this country to distinguish different denominations is to fold the bills differently. This can lead to many problems and blind people must rely on a vendors' honesty. Furthermore, as baby boomers get older and diseases like diabetes and macular degeneration increase dramatically, millions more will be affected by vision loss. Changing US currency is long overdue and is the right step to take." click here to view the full statement
Further reading:
Lighthouse International Helps Test Accessible IBM Gaming Tools
Scientists from IBM's Accessibility Research Team at the prestigious IBM T. J. Watson Research Center are conducting a research study to create navigation tools for virtual world video games that are fully accessible by players who are visually impaired and blind. As a result of a new partnership between Lighthouse International's Advanced Accessibility Lab and IBM, students from the Lighthouse's Saturday Youth Skills and Youth Transition Programs, were invited to participate in testing a new virtual world game called PowerUp.
"Power Up is a great tool for our teenagers who are visually impaired. They enjoy using it and find that the auditory and visual cues as well as the interactive features give them a wonderful video experience that they do not get with other video games," said Merrie Bremmlet, Manager of Youth Services at Lighthouse International.
The research study the students participated in is a part of the development of PowerUp, which is an exciting 3D action-strategy game in which players form teams to carry out missions and save the planet Helios from ecological devastation. The game, which is both entertaining and educational, is being developed by IBM in conjunction with TryScience and the New York Hall of Science.
Gene Therapy Shown to Increase Vision in Leber's Congenital Amaurosis Patients
A recent study, "Effect of Gene Therapy on Visual Function in Leber's Congenital Amaurosis" , published in The New England Journal of Medicine, revealed that gene therapy increased the light sensitivity and vision in patients suffering from a rare condition called Leber's Congenital Amaurosis. Leber's affects around 3,000 people in the United States, and is a genetic condition that causes retinal degeneration and severe loss of sight from birth. Though the condition is rare, and the research studies were initially meant to prove the safety of gene therapy, researchers are hopeful that these findings will lead to advances in the treatment of diseases such as macular degeneration.
Lighthouse International employee, Yokasta Urena, spoke with NY1 about living with Leber's, which affects both her own vision and that of her 4-year-old daughter. Dr. Tara Cortes, President and CEO of the Lighthouse joined Urena on the broadcast to talk about the implications this exciting new research has for the treatment of other eye diseases. To view the video or read the text of the NY1 piece, click here.
To read Lighthouse International's response to this exciting news, click here.
Lighthouse Celebrates the Opening of the Diabetes Center
On Tuesday, March 25, Lighthouse International and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) celebrated the opening of Lighthouse International's new Diabetes Center on American Diabetes Alert® Day. Over 300 people received free vision, diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure screenings as well as advice from a range of health care experts, free literature and light refreshments.
Dr. Tara A Cortes was joined by New York City Assemblyman Jonathan Bing, Council Member Daniel R. Garodnick, and Dr. Peter Sheehan, President of the ADA Greater New York City Leadership Council in addressing the assembled crowd.
The event marked the official opening of the new Diabetes Center at Lighthouse International, which will provide patients with education about nutrition, managing medications, and adapting to life with diabetes-related vision loss.
To view photos from the event, click here.
David Paterson Sworn in as First Legally Blind Governor of New York State
On Monday, March 17, New York Lieutenant Governor David A. Paterson was sworn in as the state's 55th governor; making him not only the first African-American to hold the position, but also the state's first legally blind Governor.
Mr. Paterson, who is now 53, lost all of the sight in his left eye and much of the sight in his right when he was just a boy. His success in both politics and in life is a testament to the fact that individuals with vision loss can lead healthy, safe, and independent lives.
The news of Mr. Paterson's ascension to the position of governor has done an enormous amount to raise the level of awareness of the general public about visual impairments (click here to read the position statement by Lighthouse President and CEO Dr. Tara A. Cortes). Since the announcement was made, Lighthouse executives and staff members have appeared in national and local media including the CBS Early Show, WNYW TV and WWOR TV to help educate people on what it means to live with vision impairment. Below you will find a number of resources to learn more about Mr. Paterson, the definition of "legally blind", the most common causes of vision loss, and more.
Congress Recognizes March 6, 2008, as the first-ever World Glaucoma Day
On February 13, 2008, Congress passed House Resolution 981, recognizing March 6, 2008, as the first World Glaucoma Day. Glaucoma is the second-leading cause of preventable blindness in both the US and worldwide. Lighthouse International congratulates the 110th Congress for helping to bring this issue front-and-center.
Are you are risk? Click on the links below to educate yourself on Glaucoma's causes, symptoms, and treatments, as well as much more.
February is AMD Awareness Month
As the most common cause of vision loss among people over the age of 60, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) impacts millions of older adults every year. The disease affects central vision and can sometimes make it difficult to read, drive or perform other activities requiring fine, detailed vision. To learn more about AMD, go to Lighthouse International's AMD homepage where you'll find all you need to know about the disease, symptoms, diagnosis and treatments.
Lighthouse International is proud to announce the launch of two new interactive courses: Low Vision Management of AMD, a course for eye care professionals, and Engaging Family Members when Vision Loss Hits Home, which is open to all health care professionals. To learn more about each of these courses, please click one of the links below.
Preschoolers With and Without Vision Loss Learn Together Using the Latest IBM Technology
Stanley Litow, VP of Corporate Citizenship and President of the IBM Foundation, recently paid a visit to Lighthouse International's Child Development Center to whom IBM's KidSmart Early Learning Program donated six interactive Young Explorer playstations.
As the only integrated Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program in the greater New York metropolitan area for children with vision loss, the Center is already utilizing the Young Explorers to foster early literacy, math, science and the socialization skills of the students both with and without vision loss.
The brightly colored computer playstations, designed by IBM and the Little Tykes toy company, draw children in, help them focus and motivate them to learn at a critical stage in their development. Accessible software enables students with different levels of vision to increase the point size of text, change the color scheme to enhance contrast and magnify pictures on the screen. In addition, the child-size mouse lights up, and teachers can adapt letters on the keyboard for students who are learning Braille.
To read more, click here
Mental Health Services Center Welcomes the New Year
Blue isn't just a color, it can also be a feeling; a feeling that is sometimes amplified during the holiday season. As we enter a time that is characterized by celebration, joy, family and friends, the feelings of isolation and depression experienced by those who are losing or have lost their vision are often felt more acutely.
With this in mind, Lighthouse International takes this opportunity to remind you of the services provided by our Mental Health Services Center. We're here to provide support at every step along the way for children, teenagers and adults. To learn more about how we can help not only those dealing with vision loss, but also their family and friends, click here.
Lighthouse International Celebrates World Sight Day 2007: VISION for Children
World Sight Day is a global annual event, held under the auspices of "VISION 2020: The Right to Sight," to raise awareness of vision impairment and to prevent avoidable blindness worldwide. This year's theme is Children's Vision.
Lighthouse events to honor World Sight Day include:
Influences and Inspirations Concert (FREE) * October 19, 2007
6:30 pm "Meet the Artist" toast and a presentation of our Music School CD, "A Musical Tapestry"
7:30 pm Concert (Lighthouse Theater)
Performing artist Slau explores styles and musicians who influenced and inspired his songwriting - an evening of jazz and popular music honoring World Sight Day.
Learn more at (212) 821-9660 or click here
Continuing Education for Professionals * October 9-11, 2007
Review of Common Eye Disorders in Children * Comprehensive Clinical Low Vision Care * Low Vision Therapy * Review of Visual Pathways and Visual Skills Training
Pediatric Low Vision Care * November 1-2, 2007
Learn more and register at (212) 821-9470 or click hereLighthouse International is helping children with vision impairment reach their full potential every day through our:
Learn more about Lighthouse Children's and Youth Services at (800) 829-0500.