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Everything on this website is related to your IEP page 2, the Transition Plan. But this page has resources that specifically benefit only students who are Visually Impaired or Blind. You are highly encouraged to use these services as the addition of their assistance will help make you successful as you transition to your post-high school goals.
CLICK ON THE FIRST LINE OF WORDS or the words "click here" to connect to the resource.
Please note that this site is still "in progress" so please let us know what would make it better! Click on the button on top of each page called "COMMENTS & REQUESTS" to submit your comments, suggestions for improvement, requests, or anything else you would like to tell us!!!
IF you want to return to the main pages, please do so below:
If you are receiving a diploma, click here.
If you are receiving a certificate, click here
Here you can find a text list of upcoming events and announcement that might be of interest to you.
Event: Tech IT Out With Vista Center – Accessible Games with Jesse Anderson
When: Friday, September 6, 2024
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 am (Pacific)
Where: Online (Zoom)
You are invited to participate in an exciting and enlightening conversation about game accessibility featuring Jesse Anderson from Illegally Sighted.
We are delighted that Jesse will be joining us for an informative session as he provides a comprehensive overview of games that are accessible for the blind and visually impaired.
Get ready to dive into the world of gaming as Jesse shares valuable insights on getting started and discusses the accessibility features of various platforms such as PC/Mac, mobile devices like iPhones and Androids, and consoles like Xbox and PlayStation.
Whether you're an avid gamer or simply interested in advocating for the blind and visually impaired community, this discussion is not to be missed. Come and uncover the realm of inclusive gaming with us.
Jesse will introduce us to more than 40 accessible games on various platforms. This session is bound to be a game-changer, so don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to expand your gaming horizons!
Registration is required to attend: Register click Here
(Being a client of Vista Center may also be required).
Event: Join the Vista Center Voyagers on our popular Fall Independence Trip!
RSVP: By September 7 on our event page
Who: Youth with vision loss ages 14 - 22
When: Saturday & Sunday, September 21-22
Where: Meet at Vista Center San Jose, transportation will be provided
Questions: Email Rhyan Lynn at rlynn@vistacenter.org
This overnight trip is an epic adventure. We begin our kayaking voyage from Heart’s Desire Beach in Tomales Bay State Park where we will journey along the beautiful shoreline.
Along the way, you will learn about this unique estuarine environment, with the San Andreas Fault line right down the middle of the bay. While paddling as a team we will encounter some of the bay’s resident birds such as cormorants, egrets, and herons. This one-night getaway is packed with fun learning opportunities for students to develop independence, learn a new accessible physical activity, and form lasting friendships.
Voyagers will learn the basics of kayaking, go for a hike, explore the beach, and camp under the stars. The next day, we’ll enjoy breakfast, then paddle back to Heart’s Desire Beach.
We will partner with the fabulous Environmental Travel Companions who will provide experienced guides, camping equipment, and meals. All students will be paired with sighted guides, so whether you're a novice to advanced paddler this trip is for you. So don’t miss this one-of-a-kind Voyager adventure!
Space is limited, so don't forget to RSVP.
Event: Creative Writing contest for Blind or Low Vision Creative Writers!
DUE:
-September 30, 2024 at 11:59pm PST for creative writing contest
-October 12, 2024 at 11:59p PST for the research essay contest
Who: Youth with vision loss ages 14 - 18
Questions: please email LAH at literatureacrosshorizons@gmail.com
Literature Across Horizons is ecstatic to announce their two upcoming creative writing and research paper contests! All blind or low-vision individuals aged 14-18 are invited to share unique stories and essays.
Both contests and their respective prompts/details will officially launch on August 14th on LAH's website and submissions for the creative writing contest will close September 30 at 11:59 PM PST and submissions for the research essay contest will close October 12th 11:59 PM PST. For both contests, winners will be announced mid-October.
Creative Writing Contest Prizes:
The top three winners will all be awarded scholarships:
$2500 as the grand prize for the student and $2500 for their respective school
$1000 for second place
$500 for third place
Research Essay Contest Prize:
The winner will receive a $500 grant as well as a chance to fly out to Stanford University to meet current Professors of the Center for Digital Health.
This will be an opportunity to learn about up and coming technologies that could benefit all BVI individuals in the future.
Furthermore, Literature Across Horizons will fund the entire trip.
Event: Sight Tech Global 2024
When: December 4-5, 2024
Who: Open to anyone
Where: Online
Questions: complete the event contact form here
Sight Tech Global is a world-wide, virtual conference dedicated to bringing together the technology pioneers who are applying the latest technology advances to barrier-free navigation, human interaction, and low-friction access to information for people who are blind or visually impaired. Sight Tech Global is committed to the proposition, “Nothing about us without us,” and accordingly people with sight loss and blindness will be engaged in all phases of the event.
We live in a world where a computer can drive a car at 70 MPH without human assistance but there is not yet any comparable capability to help a blind person walk down a sidewalk at 3 MPH. A social media site can identify billions of people in an instant but a blind person can’t readily identify the person standing in front of them. Today’s powerful technologies, many of them grounded in AI, have yet to be milled into next-generation tools that are truly useful, happily embraced and widely affordable.
Join us on December 4 & 5th for Sight Tech Global — the first global, virtual conference dedicated to fostering discussion among technology pioneers about how rapid advances in AI and related technologies will fundamentally alter the landscape of assistive technology and accessibility. The event will include expert speakers, panel discussions, demonstrations and more.
Event Website click here.
Registration is required to attend: Register click Here
**Sign up for the Vista Center list serve by completing their contact form here.
VISTA CENTER for the BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED
To go to their website, Click here
Located in Palo Alto, they provide workshops for both high schooler and adults that support skill building in all areas of independent living. They also have fun social events.
Connect to their social media for the latest events:
for Facebook - click here
for Instagram - Click here
for Twitter - Click here
LIGHTHOUSE for the BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED
To go to their website, click here
Located in San Francisco, they also provide workshops and training for high school and adults that support skill building in all areas of independent living.
They also have Employment programs.
Connect to their social media for the latest events:
For Facebook - click here
For Instagram - Click here
For Twitter - Click here
For YouTube - Click here
Department of Rehabilitation Blind Field Services
To go to their general website, click here
California Department of Rehabilitation helps with employment.
You must have a social security card to be eligible for this service.
For the DOR Blind Field Services - Youth Transition Services (Ages 16-25)
pdf Flyer in English - Click here
pdf Flyer in Spanish - Click here
Para el folleto en español en pdf sobre DOR Blind Field Services - Servicios de Transición para Jóvenes (Edades 16-25) - Haga clic aquí
For the DOR Blind Field Services - Adult Services
Flyer in English - Click here
Flyer in Spanish - Click here
Para el folleto en español en pdf sobre DOR Blind Field Services - Servicios de adultos - Haga clic aquí
California Deaf Blind Services (at San Francisco State University)
To go to their website, click here
CDBS serves individuals from birth through age 21 who have combined hearing and vision problems, with or without additional disabilities.
VisionAware
Read this article titled "Signing your name and Handwriting when you are blind or have low vision" - To read it click here.
LIBRARY ACCOMMODATIONS
Most libraries can accomodate individuals with disabilities.
City of Menlo Park Library provides the following for FREE:
Magnifyers for TV for check out
Handheld magnifyers for check out
Books on CD for check out
Large Print Reading Materials for check out
Wheelchair van for transport to the library
Assistance to bring your books to your vehicle.
More information click here.
All San Mateo County Public Libraries provides the following for FREE:
Audiobooks and e-audiobooks (compatible with different software)
Large Print Reading Materials for check out
Sound Descriptive Videos (DVDs with narrative tracks)
Braille Books for check out
Choice Magazine Listening (audio recordings of different magazines)
Assistance to retrieve your library items for you
Interpretation services
Printing and Photocopy for you
Proxy borrowing (Allowing a person of your choice to pick up your library items fo you)
Extending your loan period
Web accessibility and other services
More information click here.
NATIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE FOR THE BLIND AND PRINT DISABLED
National Library Service (NLS) is a free braille and talking book library service for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical, perceptual, or reading disability that prevents them from using regular print materials.
More information click here.
BOOKSHARE
Bookshare is a free service for people with all types of learning abilities.
Customize your reading experience with ebooks in audio, audio + highlighted text, braille, large font, and other formats.
More information click here.
VisionAware
This website has a lot of great tools and strategies for living independently and working independently.
To go to their website click here
Illegally Sighted
A website dedicated to accessibilty for gaming (video games), started by Jesse Anderson.
To go to their website click here
Tech It Out (Vista Center You Tube Playlist)
Vista Center created a series of videos about technology that can help you.
To go to the playlist click here
Tips and Tricks (Vista Center You Tube Playlist)
Vista Center created a series of videos about adaptive tools that can help you in your daily life, shared by individuals with vision loss who actually use these hacks.
To go to the playlist click here
NATIONAL CODING SYMPOSIUM
You’re invited to a free, virtual National Coding Symposium to demonstrate how the world of coding, programming, and related careers are available and accessible to students who are blind and visually impaired.
To learn more about the event, Click here
VISTA VOYAGERS
To go to their website, Click here
Located in Palo Alto, this is the social and recration activity youth program for Vista Center. Past events include attending theme parks, museums, sporting events, food, and meetups for board games and Lego.
You will see upcoming events on their website.
Connect to their social media for the latest events:
for Facebook - click here
for Instagram - Click here
for Twitter - Click here
Mary P. Oenslager Scholastic Achievement Award (SAA) scholarship
Each year, the Mary P. Oenslager Scholastic Achievement awards are presented to Learning Ally members who are completing undergraduate or graduate degrees, and who are blind or visually impaired, in recognition of academic achievement, outstanding leadership, and service to others.
All scholarship awardees must be capable and willing to publicly share their story and represent Learning Ally as a spokesperson and advocate at various local, virtual and national events. Costs associated with these events will be covered by Learning Ally.
For more information, click here.
For other college scholarships and Financial Aid, click here.
Click here for ways you can help your student become successful as they transition to adulthood!