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Lighthouse International
111 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022
Local Telephone: (212) 821-9200
Toll Free Telephone: (800) 829-0500
www.lighthouse.org
E-mail: info@lighthouse.org
Contacts
Bruce Rosenthal, Chief of Low Vision Programs, brosenthal@lighthouse.org
Mark G Ackermann, President and CEO, mackermann@lighthouse.org
Barbara Gydé, Senior Vice President, Chief External Affairs Officer, bgyde@lighthouse.org
John Vlachos , SVP, Chief Financial Officer , jvlachos@lighthouse.org
Frank Angello , Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, fangello@lighthouse.org
William H Seiple, PhD, Vice President of Research and Director, Arlene R. Gordon Research Institute
, wseiple@lighthouse.org
Cynthia Stuen, Senior Vice President, Chief Professional Affairs Officer , cstuen@lighthouse.org
Rowena Saunders, Vice President, Volunteers, rsaunders@lighthouse.org
Maura J Sweeney, Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, msweeney@lighthouse.org
General Information
Founded in 1905, Lighthouse International is a leading non-profit organization dedicated to preserving vision and to providing critically needed vision and rehabilitation services to help people of all ages overcome the challenges of vision loss. Through clinical services, education, research, and advocacy, the Lighthouse enables people with low vision and blindness to enjoy safe, independent and productive lives.
Geographic Area Served: Direct services provided in greater New York area, including the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester County and select counties in Mid-Hudson Valley. National outreach in terms of professional education, information services, and advocacy.Services Offered
Assessment
Lighthouse International offers evaluations by eye doctors who specialize in pediatric low vision care and functional vision assessments by teachers of the visually impaired and blind. Special tests are used to determine the vision of an infant or young child and how to maximize it.
Early Intervention services are offered both on-site and in the home through the Lighthouse’s Assistive Technology Department, Career Services Program, and Visual Rehabilitation Services.
Fee: Call (800) 829-0500 or visit www.Lighthouse.org for more details.
Braille and Reading Instruction
Braille Services are available to any person or company wishing to have material transcribed into braille. Types of material transcribed include: menus, letters, and greeting cards; college exams; radio and TV scripts for commercials; signage and brochures for museum exhibits; law exam boards; healthcare provider member handbooks.
Fee: Call (800) 829-0500 or visit www.Lighthouse.org for more details.
Community Outreach Programs
Computer Training/Assistive Technology
Lighthouse International offers training designed to help people with vision impairment maintain a productive lifestyle. Training is designed to assist you with the application of the most current assistive technology. These tools allow you to fully utilize today's computer technology. Training that teaches or refines skills with screen readers and/or text enlarging software, using business application software and accessing the internet and email.
Fee: Call (800) 829-0500 or visit www.Lighthouse.org for more details.
Counseling
Coping with vision loss can be difficult. There are often overwhelming emotions that accompany it, including anxiety, frustration, fear, anger and depression—especially if you’ve been recently diagnosed. We're here to: Conduct evaluations; provide and suggest treatment plans; provide family support; link you to other helpful Lighthouse services to maximize your remaining vision, and help you remain safe and self-sufficient.
Fee: Call (800) 829-0500 or visit www.Lighthouse.org for more details.
Daily Living Skills/Independent Living Skills Training
Lighthouse Vision Rehabilitation Therapists and Occupational Therapists teach people with impaired vision new skills and alternative strategies for reading, writing and performing everyday tasks such as personal grooming and matching clothing, identifying money, and much more. The goal is to ensure that people with vision loss - no matter what age - can perform daily activities so they can be independent at home - and on the go.
Fee: Call (800) 829-0500 or visit www.Lighthouse.org for more details.
Distance Learning
Early Intervention/Infant Services
Lighthouse International's Early Intervention Program is a public program dedicated to helping children -- from birth to three years old -- with developmental delays, who also may be at risk for vision impairment. Offered in conjunction with The Ethel and Samuel J. LeFrak School, our Early Intervention Program is designed to identify a delay or vision problem as early as possible, giving babies and toddlers the best possible chance of reaching the same developmental milestones as their peers.
Fee: Call (800) 829-0500 or visit www.Lighthouse.org for more details.
Education Services
Established in 1980 by Lighthouse International's Women's Committee, the Scholarship & Career Awards (SCA) is a time-honored tradition that recognizes outstanding students who have overcome the challenges of vision loss by awarding them with scholarships for college and graduate studies.
Also offers remedial skills and course work leading to a GED.
Fee: Call (800) 829-0500 or visit www.lighthouse.org for more details.
Employment/Job Training
Lighthouse International's Career Services include:
- Job training and placement assistance for those seeking employment
- Job retention services for those who are currently employed and who may fear losing their jobs as a result of impaired vision
- Instruction in basic office skills
- GED preparation
- Assistive technology training to ensure that participants are up-to-date on the latest hardware and software advances.
In addition, the Lighthouse works with employers to identify qualified candidates and to make worksite accommodations, ensuring accessibility for employees who are visually impaired.
Fee: Call (800) 829-0500 or visit www.Lighthouse.org for more details.
Health
Lighthouse International's Low Vision Center are conveniently located in Manhattan at 111 East 59th Street. The Lighthouse's doctors are internationally renowned, pioneers in the field of low vision and provide comprehensive low vision exams to pediatric and adult patients.
Dr. Bruce Rosenthal is Chief of Low Vision Programs, and Dr. Eleanor Faye is Medical Director. Dr. Michael Fischer, Director of Low Vision Services, also serves as the Lighthouse Pediatric specialist.
The low vision specialists perform functional vision examinations--evaluating not only how well a patient sees an eye chart, but also how well he or she sees faces, street signs, newspaper print and all the other visual cues that help guide us through our days. Once the exam is completed, the doctor may prescribe optical devices to maximize remaining vision.
Certified Low Vision Therapists provide instruction to help patients adjust to and reap the maximum benefits from these prescribed optical devices such as high-powered spectacles, magnifiers and telescopes. They also work with patients and provide instruction for special lighting, devices, and adaptive computer technology.
The low vision team works very closely with other rehabilitation professionals to ascertain that patients receive the full complement of services that meet their needs. These specialists include occupational therapists, vision rehabilitation therapists, and orientation and mobility specialists. Social workers are an integral part of the team, and provide counseling and other services to patients, as needed.
Fee: Call (800) 829-0500 or visit www.Lighthouse.org for more details.
Information and Referral
Every day, Lighthouse International’s Information and Resource Team fields questions and provides answers that help people everywhere live better with impaired vision. Our experts know how to find help near you, answer your technology questions, where you can find special theater and museum programs, and much more. Read our tip sheets and check out our Help Near Your database in order to find the nearest low vision services near you.
Fee: Call (800) 829-0500 or visit www.lighthouse.org for more details.
Libraries/Alternate Media and Learning Resources
Lighthouse International's Print Access Center Services include:
- Transcribing a wide variety of written material to braille, from either electronic or print formats.
- Recording a wide range of materials for personal and professional use.
- Reading to adults with impaired vision to support their employment or academic endeavors.
The Print Access Center converts any type of of conventional printed material into an accessible format, either by enlarging or scanning it, or by translating it into braille. We can also download documents and resources from the Internet.
Fee: Call (800) 829-0500 or visit www.Lighthouse.org for more details.
Low Vision Services
Lighthouse International's Low Vision Center is conveniently located in Manhattan at 111 East 59th Street. The Lighthouse's doctors are internationally renowned, pioneers in the field of low vision and provide comprehensive low vision exams to pediatric and adult patients.
Dr. Bruce Rosenthal is Chief of Low Vision Programs, and Dr. Eleanor Faye is Medical Director. Dr. Michael Fischer, Director of Low Vision Services, also serves as the Lighthouse Pediatric specialist.
The low vision specialists perform functional vision examinations--evaluating not only how well a patient sees an eye chart, but also how well he or she sees faces, street signs, newspaper print and all the other visual cues that help guide us through our days. Once the exam is completed, the doctor may prescribe optical devices to maximize remaining vision.
Certified Low Vision Therapists provide instruction to help patients adjust to, and reap the maximum benefits from these prescribed optical devices such as high-powered spectacles, magnifiers and telescopes. They also work with patients and provide instruction for special lighting, devices, and adaptive computer technology.
The low vision team works very closely with other rehabilitation professionals to ascertain that patients receive the full complement of services that meet their needs. These specialists include occupational therapists, vision rehabilitation therapists, and orientation and mobility specialists. Social workers are an integral part of the team, and provide counseling and other services to patients, as needed.
Fee: Call (800) 829-0500 or visit www.Lighthouse.org for more details.
Preschool Programs
Lighthouse International welcomes boys and girls from two through five years to attend our integrated preschoolat The Ethel and Samuel J. LeFrak School, which is also approved as a Universal Pre-Kindergarten program by the New York City Department of Education.
Children who are visually impaired learn alongside their sighted peers in our preschool for a more enriching educational experience. Our curriculum is designed to maximize learning and growth while children enjoy creative and fun activities, make new friends and discover new experiences in a safe and nurturing environment.
A smart, convenient choice: We have a certified, highly trained and nurturing staff, a small teacher-student ratio and reasonable fees.
- An extended-day preschool option, which runs until 5:30 PM
- A maximum of 12 students per 1 teacher and 2 assistants
- Teachers and teachers of the visually impaired; speech, occupational and physical therapists; and music teachers with master's degrees
- Well rounded, fun activities: extensive early childhood curricula, physical education, strong emphasis on literacy, outdoor play area, neighborhood field trips and community outings
- Computers in every classroom, with age-appropriate programs
- A multi-lingual staff, who speak Spanish, Korean, Hebrew, Italian and French
- An extensive library and multi-sensory learning centers
- New Lighthouse Parent Center which offers extensive training, classes, workshops and fun events for all parents of Child Development Center students. The Center is run by a Parent Coordinator, with a high level of decision making by parents from the school's Parent Focus Group.
* An Early Intervention program for children with impaired vision licensed by the New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Fee: Call (800) 829-0500 or visit www.Lighthouse.org for more details.
Recreation Services
The Filomen M. D'Agostino Greenberg Music School at Lighthouse International is dedicated to helping people pursue their interest in, and study of, music while overcoming the challenges posed by vision loss. Students include children and young people enrolled in public and private schools, colleges and universities, professional musicians, and anyone interested in enrichment through lifelong musical learning.
With a wide range of courses and performance ensembles including a Comprehensive Music Program for Young People, our Music School is the largest school of music dedicated to individuals with vision impairment in the country.
Fee: Call (800) 829-0500 or visit www.Lighthouse.org for more details.
Summer/Day Camps and After-school Programs
The Saturday Youth Skills Program provides social and recreational services to legally blind children ages 6 through 13 and is offered one Saturday per month at our headquarters in midtown Manhattan. The children participate in a variety of group activities in both classroom and community settings. Activities include creative writing, creative arts, drama, table games, friendship groups, adaptive physical education, neighborhood walks and community field trips.
The Columbia Summer Youth Transition Program provides college orientation to up to 20 legally blind teens ages 14 through 18 for four consecutive weeks in July. The program takes place at two locations in New York City (Lighthouse International’s Manhattan headquarters, and the Columbia University campus) and consists of a cluster of rehabilitation, academic and recreational services which are age appropriate and consistent with the individual’s level of skill.
Fee: Call (800) 829-0500 or visit www.lighthouse.org for more details.
Support for Parents
The new Lighthouse International Parent Center offers extensive training, classes, workshops and fun events for all parents of Child Development Center students. The Center is run by a Parent Coordinator, with a high level of decision making by parents from the school's Parent Focus Group.
Fee: Call (800) 829-0500 for details.
Support Groups
Lighthouse International has long been a beacon of hope for people of all ages facing the life-altering challenges of vision loss. Our mental health team comprised of psychiatrists and licensed psychotherapists can diagnose and treat those overpowering feelings that vision loss can create.
Services provided include:
- Conducting evaluations
- Providing psychotherapy and suggesting treatment plans>
- Prescribing medication when necessary
- Providing family support
- Linking you to other helpful Lighthouse services to maximize your remaining vision, and help you remain safe and self-sufficient
Fee: Call (800) 829-0500 for details.
Travel/Orientation and Mobility
Lighthouse International Orientation and Mobility Specialists teach people who have reduced or no vision skills to travel safely and independently and to navigate the home, neighborhood, school and work environments. These include using a prescribed white cane; visual and non-visual clues to negotiate stairs, avoid falls and injuries; and additional clues to cross streets, and to ride public transportation safely.
Fee: Call (800) 829-0500 or visit www.lighthouse.org for more details.
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