Youth Programs - LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Youth Social and Recreational

Middle and Highschool

Many of the youth we work with may be the only blind or low vision students in their school or district and many of them can feel alone. Lighthouse Youth Programs have always tried to provide programs and activities for youth that are blind or have low vision for them to connect with their peers in a variety of activities. Many of these programs incorporate opportunities to learn or develop important skills such as independent living, orientation and mobility and many other skills covered in the Expanded Core Curriculum. Past outings have taken us to sports events, local seasonal attractions such as Winchester Mystery House and a white-water river rafting trip. Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic started we have taken our programs online via Zoom.

Transition Programs

High school and post-secondary

LightHouse’s transition programs offer experiences for young adults who are enthusiastic about realizing their dream careers through programs that focus on the vocational enrichment of low vision and blind youth. We provide access to a multifaceted array of mentorship, employment readiness skills, and alternative accessible techniques. These engaging programs and immersive weekends provide students with opportunities to expand their knowledge through self-advocacy, assistive technology, living skills, and soft skills curricula empowering them to strive toward future employment or post-secondary educational success.

Students have had the opportunity to attend national conferences, participate in hands-on activities expanding their independence, hear from a variety of blind and low-vision mentors, and prepare for future employment by participating in interactive internships and paid work-based experiences. Although programming has gone virtual for the moment, transition programs still offers a variety of activities for students to connect with peers and engage and learn from mentors, some of which include monthly Zoom gatherings for blind and low vision college students, informational and social hours for high school youth, as well as for Spanish-speaking families and students.

2022 Summer Programs for Transition-Aged Youth 

The summer is a great time for teens and young adults to learn skills outside of school that can help them become more independent and successful in their employment and life adventures. At lighthouse we offer programs that Students get access to an unforgettable summer filled with interactive learning opportunities as they participate in work-based learning experiences. They meet life-long friends, mentors, and supportive LightHouse staff. For additional information about the program options or learn how to apply, please check out the following links for our summer 2022 programs.

2022 YES Academy 

2022 Youth Leadership Summit

Family Programs

For all families with at least one blind or low vision family member

We have found through our Family Camp sessions at Enchanted Hills Camp that so much of our students’ support networks revolve around their families, and as much as we know the youth need to have a community, we recognize that the families are also in need of the same. To help the families of youth we work with stay connected, informed and have fun, LightHouse Youth Programs host family activities year-round. Families have been lost in corn mazes, learned to ice-skate in the San Francisco annual Holiday Ice Rink, or gained insight into how to resolve ongoing access problems and other issues, through presentations about student rights. All families with at least one blind or low vision parent/guardian or child are welcome to join.

Get Involved and Get Updates

For more information about the youth program or to sign up for our monthly LightHouse Youth and Family Events List, please reach out to a member of the Youth Services team by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or subscribe to our weekly E Newsletter