We’re excited to announce that Lighthouse of Collier has been awarded FULL Accreditation through the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) Accreditation Program. The mission of the AER Accreditation Program is to advance excellence in the field of blindness and low vision services by ensuring that: organizations and specialized…
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Our 13th Annual Benefit “Celebrating LIGHThouse” on November 9th was a tremendous success! We were able to raise over $100,000 towards our programs and services that directly benefit the visually impaired community within Collier County. As always, our annual event wouldn’t be a success without your help by spreading the word about how important Lighthouse of…
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Lighthouse of Collier has moved, but not too far away. To celebrate, we invite you to join us for an Open House on March 9 from 5 – 7 p.m. to come by and see our new home! Light refreshments will be served. We are now located at the same Horseshoe Square address on the…
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It has been worth the wait! Lighthouse of Collier has moved as of 2-1-22, but not too far away from the previous spot! We are at our the same Horseshoe Square address, but now we are on the 1st floor (Suite 101). The entrance is on the West side of the building (left side) and…
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Clients and their families and friends are invited to participate in a short walk on 5th Avenue to promote White Cane Safety Day and recognize the white cane as a tool of independence for blind and visually impaired pedestrians in our communities. Clients are encouraged to bring their white canes, but extra canes will be…
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This year’s Transition Summer Camp began July 12th and concludes this Sunday, July 25th with an afternoon at the theatre to see Naples Players’ production of The Wedding Singer. The camp has been comprised of various outings and activities such as pottery through Clay More Ceramics, up close encounters with wolves at Shy Wolf Sanctuary, a “Cake-Off”,…
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One of the many highlights from our children’s summer camp that concluded last week was the presentation by Andrew Kirkpatrick, Adobe’s Director of Accessibility. He posted a blog highlighting Lighthouse of Collier and its services, and our collaboration with them for the Children’s Summer Camp. Click here to read the blog
Children’s Virtual Summer Camp 2021 Is Back! The Lighthouse of Collier Children’s Camp starts today, Monday, June 14! Our summer camp offers an opportunity for children to apply skills they have practiced and learned throughout the school year. Activities address independent living skills, assistive technology, communication skills, social skills, recreation skills, career readiness and more!…
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Rick joined the Lighthouse of Collier in February 2015. Helping people who are blind or visually impaired is Rick’s passion. He knows firsthand what it is like to live with vision loss as he was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa at age eight. He knows how difficult it can be to get along in a sighted…
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Last week the Freedom Waters Foundation sponsored a cruise on a 93-foot yacht with twenty-five Lighthouse clients and family members. Due to COVID-19, this was the first group outing in well over a year. People were ready to get out and socialize! Old friends had time to catch up and new friendships were made. The…
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Polly is 87-years young with the vim and vigor of a 65 year-old. About four years ago, she was diagnosed with macular degeneration and glaucoma. At the time, Polly was very concerned about her diagnosis and therefore enrolled in the Independent Living Classes. Polly was quick to implement the tools and techniques she had learned into her daily home life. This enabled her to continue to live independently.
Over the past three years, Polly became a permanent client “fixture” at Lighthouse of Collier. She used Uber or Paratransit to attend weekly various classes/events including: a sewing group, Out and About events, cooking and accessible art classes and several support groups.
Polly also came regularly for assistive technology lessons to learn how to access her smart phone and tablet. Today she can independently use various accessibility options, including: Select-to-Speak, Hey Google and Zoom. Additionally, Polly learned how to use Envision AI to scan/read paperwork and bar codes. Not bad for this spritely 87 year-old. Just goes to show – age is just a number!!
On a personal level, I have become quite fond of Polly and look forward to our weekly/bi-monthly lessons. Polly is an exceptionally compassionate person. She worked a long career as a hospice nurse and has shared several heartfelt stories. In fact, Polly and her coworkers started the first official hospice center in the late 70s. The new building was launched by pioneer psychologist Elisabeth Kubler Ross and famed physician, Cicely Saunders. Polly and her group also helped pass the first Medicare bill to cover hospice services.
Before coming to the Lighthouse, Polly said she was “floundering.” Now, she exclaims “I have learned to focus on what I can do.” According to Polly, “the Lighthouse of Collier is one of the best agencies available in Collier County!”
