Empowering the Visually Impaired: Lighthouse Guild Secures $100,000 Grant for Innovative Technology Solutions

Lighthouse Guild has received a generous $100,000 grant from the Frances G. Scaife Foundation. This funding, announced on February 5, will help them enhance programs that teach essential tech skills to people who are visually impaired. The Scaife Foundation, based in Palm Beach, Florida, has supported Lighthouse Guild for over two decades.

“We are grateful for Ms. Scaife’s long-standing support,” said Jaine Schmidt, the Chief Marketing Officer at Lighthouse Guild. The new grant, along with ongoing support from the New York State Commission for the Blind and the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, will launch the Frannie Scaife Tech Training Initiative. This initiative will put the plans from the grant into action.

“We will offer one-on-one and group training sessions,” explained Brian Dever, the Chief Development Officer. He emphasized that independence, work, and education are vital parts of Lighthouse Guild’s mission. By developing tech skills, they can help visually impaired individuals achieve these goals.

One exciting program is Tech Pals, where young adults, ages 18-25, teach older visually impaired individuals how to use smartphones. This partnership allows both groups to connect and learn from each other. The younger participants gain teaching experience, while the older individuals learn to navigate technology. “This makes a significant difference in our clients’ lives,” noted Schmidt.

Another initiative funded by the grant is the Tech-In sessions. The next one, scheduled for February 12, focuses on using Meta’s new Ray-Ban glasses. Although this session is fully booked, a virtual workshop is available on February 18.

Lighthouse Guild also has volunteer programs like tax preparation assistance for those with visual impairments and participation in the TD Five Boro Bike Tour. This event will feature teams of “sighted and unsighted” cyclists riding together. “There’s always so much happening,” Dever chuckled.

Through these programs, Lighthouse Guild aims not only to improve the quality of life for their clients but also to share their insights with others. “A key goal is to increase training and accessibility in New York City and beyond,” Schmidt shared. “By collaborating more, we can accomplish greater things and reach more people.”