What's New
Lighthouse International Helps Test Accessible IBM Gaming Tools
Scientists from IBM's Accessibility Research Team at the prestigious IBM T. J. Watson Research Center are conducting a research study to create navigation tools for virtual world video games that are fully accessible by players who are visually impaired and blind. As a result of a new partnership between Lighthouse International's Advanced Accessibility Lab and IBM, students from the Lighthouse's Saturday Youth Skills and Youth Transition Programs, were invited to participate in testing a new virtual world game called PowerUp.
"Power Up is a great tool for our teenagers who are visually impaired. They enjoy using it and find that the auditory and visual cues as well as the interactive features give them a wonderful video experience that they do not get with other video games," said Merrie Bremmlet, Manager of Youth Services at Lighthouse International.
The research study the students participated in is a part of the development of PowerUp, which is an exciting 3D action-strategy game in which players form teams to carry out missions and save the planet Helios from ecological devastation. The game, which is both entertaining and educational, is being developed by IBM in conjunction with TryScience and the New York Hall of Science.
Gene Therapy Shown to Increase Vision in Leber's Congenital Amaurosis Patients
A recent study, "Effect of Gene Therapy on Visual Function in Leber's Congenital Amaurosis" , published in The New England Journal of Medicine, revealed that gene therapy increased the light sensitivity and vision in patients suffering from a rare condition called Leber's Congenital Amaurosis. Leber's affects around 3,000 people in the United States, and is a genetic condition that causes retinal degeneration and severe loss of sight from birth. Though the condition is rare, and the research studies were initially meant to prove the safety of gene therapy, researchers are hopeful that these findings will lead to advances in the treatment of diseases such as macular degeneration.
Lighthouse International employee, Yokasta Urena, spoke with NY1 about living with Leber's, which affects both her own vision and that of her 4-year-old daughter. Dr. Tara Cortes, President and CEO of the Lighthouse joined Urena on the broadcast to talk about the implications this exciting new research has for the treatment of other eye diseases. To view the video or read the text of the NY1 piece, click here.
To read Lighthouse International's response to this exciting news, click here.
Lighthouse Celebrates the Opening of the Diabetes Center
On Tuesday, March 25, Lighthouse International and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) celebrated the opening of Lighthouse International's new Diabetes Center on American Diabetes Alert® Day. Over 300 people received free vision, diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure screenings as well as advice from a range of health care experts, free literature and light refreshments.
Dr. Tara A Cortes was joined by New York City Assemblyman Jonathan Bing, Council Member Daniel R. Garodnick, and Dr. Peter Sheehan, President of the ADA Greater New York City Leadership Council in addressing the assembled crowd.
The event marked the official opening of the new Diabetes Center at Lighthouse International, which will provide patients with education about nutrition, managing medications, and adapting to life with diabetes-related vision loss.
To view photos from the event, click here.
David Paterson Sworn in as First Legally Blind Governor of New York State
On Monday, March 17, New York Lieutenant Governor David A. Paterson was sworn in as the state's 55th governor; making him not only the first African-American to hold the position, but also the state's first legally blind Governor.
Mr. Paterson, who is now 53, lost all of the sight in his left eye and much of the sight in his right when he was just a boy. His success in both politics and in life is a testament to the fact that individuals with vision loss can lead healthy, safe, and independent lives.
The news of Mr. Paterson's ascension to the position of governor has done an enormous amount to raise the level of awareness of the general public about visual impairments (click here to read the position statement by Lighthouse President and CEO Dr. Tara A. Cortes). Since the announcement was made, Lighthouse executives and staff members have appeared in national and local media including the CBS Early Show, WNYW TV and WWOR TV to help educate people on what it means to live with vision impairment. Below you will find a number of resources to learn more about Mr. Paterson, the definition of "legally blind", the most common causes of vision loss, and more.
All About Low Vision
Low vision (which includes those who are legally blind) is a partial vision loss that cannot be corrected. Here you can find simulations, causes, and tips on living with low vision.Legal Blindness
With many news stories focusing on Mr. Paterson, the question of "what is legal blindness" has been raised often. The term refers to what the vision is in your better eye. It means that the vision in your better eye is at least 10 times worse than 20/20 or your side vision is about 15% of normal. This page provides you with the Social Security Administration's official standards and qualifications for the classification of legal blindness.Causes of Vision Impairment
Get statistics on the most prevalent causes of vision loss.Tips for Confident Living
Find out what techniques can be used by those individuals who are visually impaired to remain independent and productive both at work and at home.How We Can Help
Lighthouse International offers a wide range of services to help people who are visually impaired across the lifespan.Paterson's Reflections on Projecting Strength, Despite the Obstacles
In this article from the New York Times, State of New York governor-to-be David A. Paterson discusses his personal experiences as an individual with vision impairment.
Congress Recognizes March 6, 2008, as the first-ever World Glaucoma Day
On February 13, 2008, Congress passed House Resolution 981, recognizing March 6, 2008, as the first World Glaucoma Day. Glaucoma is the second-leading cause of preventable blindness in both the US and worldwide. Lighthouse International congratulates the 110th Congress for helping to bring this issue front-and-center.
Are you are risk? Click on the links below to educate yourself on Glaucoma's causes, symptoms, and treatments, as well as much more.
Glaucoma Overview
General information on the disease, such as symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, and risk factors.Statistics on Vision Impairment: Glaucoma
Learn about the increased incidence of Glaucoma in the African-American and Hispanic populations.
February is AMD Awareness Month
As the most common cause of vision loss among people over the age of 60, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) impacts millions of older adults every year. The disease affects central vision and can sometimes make it difficult to read, drive or perform other activities requiring fine, detailed vision. To learn more about AMD, go to Lighthouse International's AMD homepage where you'll find all you need to know about the disease, symptoms, diagnosis and treatments.
Lighthouse International is proud to announce the launch of two new interactive courses: Low Vision Management of AMD, a course for eye care professionals, and Engaging Family Members when Vision Loss Hits Home, which is open to all health care professionals. To learn more about each of these courses, please click one of the links below.
- Low Vision Management of AMD
- Engaging Family Members when Vision Loss Hits Home
Preschoolers With and Without Vision Loss Learn Together Using the Latest IBM Technology
Stanley Litow, VP of Corporate Citizenship and President of the IBM Foundation, recently paid a visit to Lighthouse International's Child Development Center to whom IBM's KidSmart Early Learning Program donated six interactive Young Explorer playstations.
As the only integrated Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program in the greater New York metropolitan area for children with vision loss, the Center is already utilizing the Young Explorers to foster early literacy, math, science and the socialization skills of the students both with and without vision loss.
The brightly colored computer playstations, designed by IBM and the Little Tykes toy company, draw children in, help them focus and motivate them to learn at a critical stage in their development. Accessible software enables students with different levels of vision to increase the point size of text, change the color scheme to enhance contrast and magnify pictures on the screen. In addition, the child-size mouse lights up, and teachers can adapt letters on the keyboard for students who are learning Braille.
To read more, click here
Mental Health Services Center Welcomes the New Year
Blue isn't just a color, it can also be a feeling; a feeling that is sometimes amplified during the holiday season. As we enter a time that is characterized by celebration, joy, family and friends, the feelings of isolation and depression experienced by those who are losing or have lost their vision are often felt more acutely.
With this in mind, Lighthouse International takes this opportunity to remind you of the services provided by our Mental Health Services Center. We're here to provide support at every step along the way for children, teenagers and adults. To learn more about how we can help not only those dealing with vision loss, but also their family and friends, click here.
Lighthouse International Celebrates World Sight Day 2007: VISION for Children
World Sight Day is a global annual event, held under the auspices of "VISION 2020: The Right to Sight," to raise awareness of vision impairment and to prevent avoidable blindness worldwide. This year's theme is Children's Vision.
Lighthouse events to honor World Sight Day include:
Influences and Inspirations Concert (FREE) * October 19, 2007
6:30 pm "Meet the Artist" toast and a presentation of our Music School CD, "A Musical Tapestry"
7:30 pm Concert (Lighthouse Theater)
Performing artist Slau explores styles and musicians who influenced and inspired his songwriting - an evening of jazz and popular music honoring World Sight Day.
Learn more at (212) 821-9660 or click here
Continuing Education for Professionals * October 9-11, 2007
Review of Common Eye Disorders in Children * Comprehensive Clinical Low Vision Care * Low Vision Therapy * Review of Visual Pathways and Visual Skills Training
Pediatric Low Vision Care * November 1-2, 2007
Learn more and register at (212) 821-9470 or click hereLighthouse International is helping children with vision impairment reach their full potential every day through our:
Child Development Center - for sighted and visually impaired children from birth to 5 years old
Youth Services - special education, social and career programs to help youngsters 6-13 and teens 14-18 years old
Learn more about Lighthouse Children's and Youth Services at (800) 829-0500.