Services
Be The Light In Someone’s Life
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Watch our services summary video
Our Curriculum
We’ve made every possible effort to design the programs, classes and activities at the IE Lighthouse for the Blind to enrich and train the visually impaired of the Inland Empire. Our interactive curriculum can be attended year round. Classes are held from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., with lunch-break from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
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- Independent living
- Home economics
- Mobility & orientation
- Computer training
- Exercise & nutrition
- Basket weaving
- Beginning & intermediate braille
- Macrame
- Ceramics
- Woodshop
- Keyboarding
- Bible study
- Support group
- Choir
- Current events
Problems We Solve
- According to Perkins School for the Blind, “Most people who are visually impaired don’t use a white cane… only an estimated 2% to 8% do. The rest rely on their useable vision, a guide dog or a sighted guide.”
- We provide white canes to newly blind individuals at no cost and offer canes and low vision aids in our student store for purchase at our cost.
- Working adults (aged 21 to 64) reporting significant vision loss in the U.S. who were employed full-time/full-year in 2016 was 1,120,700 or 29.5%. (Over 70% are not employed full-time).
- We offer immersive learning experiences to identify strengths and interests, help students build confidence, and gain a sense of direction. Through interactive learning, we help to encourage newly blind individuals to live independently with new skills and confidence.
- 82% of all blind people are 50 years and older.
- We provide classes which include instruction in computers, smartphones & technology, which can benefit our senior demographic.
- There is much misunderstanding about blindness and stigma that loss of vision is the end of a person’s prospects.
- Our programs, classes, and activities enrich, train and educate visually impaired people in our service area, as well as the public, about the tremendous potential, normalcy, independence and joy possible for those living with challenges in their eyesight.
Independent Living Classes
& Home Economics
Our training kitchen is designed with gas and electric appliances to teach the visually impaired how to use the type of cooking method they have in their own home. We also provide instruction on marking and using a microwave oven, laundry washing machine and clothes dryer.
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Beginning & Intermediate Braille, Computer & Smartphone Training
Participants are provided instruction in learning to read and write Braille. We also show you how to use a computer, starting with learning to use the keyboard first. Smartphone training is available in our Computer Lab. This is provided in a group setting and one on one when possible.
Mobility, Exercise & Nutrition
We provide instruction on how to use a white cane properly and how to navigate our school campus. More detailed Orientation & Mobility may be provided through the interview process.
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Volunteer
Free Daily Meals & Transportation Services For All Students
Daily Meals
A complete nutritious lunch is provided free of charge to all participants. The lunch hour is 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sharing a meal together is the perfect time to get to know other visually impaired members of our community.
* Each month the Lighthouse for the Blind picks up food commodities from the local food bank and packages them for distribution to our participants.
Transportation Services
We provide transportation to and from the participant’s home and our facility.
We operate five 14 passenger vans to bring participants to our campus. We pick up participants within specific routes which include most of the Inland Empire. Pick up is also provided at the local transportation center which includes Metrolink.
There is also an Omnitrans City Bus Stop is right on the corner of East Parkcenter Circle and Waterman Avenue which is within walking distance to the IE Lighthouse for the Blind.
Volunteer
Referrals, Free Books & Audio Formats for the Blind & Visually Impaired
Many people who are blind or visually impaired often cannot use printed materials, depriving them of reading materials that most people take for granted.
The Inland Empire Lighthouse for the Blind is a sub-lending station for Braille Institute’s Library Services—the Southern California branch of the National Library Service (NLS), which is a network coordinated by the Library of Congress. This service provides free books for the blind and visually impaired. Books, periodicals and other texts are available in braille and recorded formats. Patrons are able to select from more than 100,000 titles and 1.2 million volumes accessible from the Library’s collection.
Our friendly and knowledgeable staff can also provide an extensive resource list and helpful advice by phone. Please call us at (909) 884-3121 for referral inquiries.
Up-Coming Fundraising Events
Golf Tournament & Poker Run
June 7, 2024
Save the Date!
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Car Show & Chili Cook-Off
Oct 12, 2024
Save the Date!
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Be The Light In Someone's Life
Every $1 Donated goes towards the operation of the inland empire lighthouse for the blind.
Get In Touch
- Phone
(909) 884-3121 - Fax
(909) 884-2964 - Email
info@ielighthousefortheblind.org
- Address
359 E. Parkcenter Circle South
San Bernardino, CA 92408 - Office Hours
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday
The Inland Empire Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. EIN is 95-1996554 and is a public charity, exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)3.
Get Involved
Support Group, Social Outlets
& Extracurricular
Through the years of helping the visually impaired we have found providing a space for fellowship and comradery is the best forum for learning to accept visual loss. The Lighthouse sponsors several outings and parties throughout the year.
Learning to Live With Vision Loss Support Group
Every Thursday morning we have a support group. Family and friends are invited to participate in this very important open discussion on living with vision loss.
Get Involved