Stories

Now Hear This

Lighthouse Louisiana’s Deaf Services Department helps to connect the region’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing with accessible devices and free interpretive services.

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The Basics of Fun

For ten years, Gail Gillian, MA, taught daily living skills to the Lighthouse’s clients who are blind and visually impaired. Over time, she realized that while acquiring these skills is vitally important, many of her pupils had a different and more basic need—socialization.

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Collaborating With Community Resources to Educate the Underserved

Collaborating With Community Resources to Educate the Underserved


Lighthouse Services Directors, Liz Fussell, PhD, and Natalie Harrison, CESP, collaborated with other community resources to educate People Living with HIV (PLHIV) on Benefits Planning and Supported Employment services during the Thriving With HIV: Let the Good Times Roll
Conference hosted by the Reunion Project last month.

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American Job Centers Shore Up Employment Services

Many individuals served through Employment Services express interest in growing their skills to a level that would increase their earning potential. To assist in achieving this goal, the Employment Services department has begun networking with 25 American Job Centers (AJC) within Louisiana and Mississippi. The goal of this mission is to develop a training resource database that will house AJC contact information and specific training areas available to program participants who have expressed interest in skill building.

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American Job Centers Shore Up Employment Services

American Job Centers Shore Up Employment Services


Many individuals served through Employment Services express interest in growing their skills to a level that would increase their earning potential. To assist in achieving this goal, the Employment Services department has begun networking with 25 American Job Centers (AJC) within Louisiana and Mississippi. The goal of this mission is to develop a training resource database that will house AJC contact information and specific training areas available to program participants who have expressed interest in skill building.

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We did it again!!!

We did it again!!!


In 2017 Lighthouse Louisiana entered into an agreement with the Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work program as an Employment Network (EN) and began providing employment support and services to People with Disabilities (PWD) interested in achieving financial independence. Services and Supports Audits are conducted annually to verify that the agency is actively working with Ticketholders to provide the services and supports agreed upon in the signed Individual Work Plans (IWP), which are written by Certified Employment Support Professionals (CESP). A recent October 2023 audit yielded an overall rating of Compliant for the sixth year in a row!

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Lighthouse Louisiana Offers Input to All Stop Access Program (ASAP)

Lighthouse Louisiana Offers Input to All Stop Access Program (ASAP)


Capital Area Transit System (CATS) has invited Baton Rouge Services Occupational Therapist and Orientation and Mobility Specialist Carmen McClain to consult in a new initiative to add more accessible bus stops in the Baton Rouge and Baker areas. The All Stop Access Program (ASAP) will provide more firm and stable surfaces to accommodate people who use wheelchairs and surface treatments to assist riders who are blind or have visual impairments.

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Paul Bernard Becomes Lighthouse Louisiana CFO

Paul Bernard Becomes Lighthouse Louisiana CFO

With 30 years of experience in a range of industries, Paul Bernard joined Lighthouse Louisiana November 27 to fill the role of Chief Financial Officer. He first came to the Lighthouse in June as a contract employee with Robert Half. The longer he worked for Lighthouse the more he envisioned a long-term career with the organization.

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Prevent Blindness Designates December as Safe Toys and Gifts Month

Prevent Blindness Designates December as Safe Toys and Gifts Month

Each year, thousands of children ages 14 and under sustain eye injuries, and sometimes blindness, from toys. Prevent Blindness reminds all gift givers to buy wisely and guide children to play safely. Parents and friends of children can take steps to facilitate safe gift giving this season by making sure the toys they buy for young ones are appropriate and safe.

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White Cane Safety Awareness Celebrated in Baton Rouge

The Baton Rouge community celebrated White Cane Safety Awareness with an event, sponsored by Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired (LSVI) and Usher Syndrome Awareness of Louisiana.

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Creating Change in Accessibility for Students with Disabilities

Director of Baton Rouge Services Liz Fussell, EdD, CRC, and Occupational Therapist and Orientation and Mobility Specialist Carmen McLain, OTR/L, CLVT, COMS, participated in a film screening and panel discussion of Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution, sponsored by the LSU Reilly Center for Media and Public Affairs.

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Optometrists Visit Lighthouse En Route to Becoming Low Vision Diplomats

Three members of the American Academy of Optometry visited Lighthouse Louisiana October 12 to complete a necessary step to become Low Vision Diplomats.

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Lighthouse Employee Walks the Walk

After gradually losing his vision, Horace Grayson found a new path through Lighthouse Louisiana.

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Spooky Fest is Halloween Highlight for Kids

Lighthouse Louisiana was alive with Halloween spirit as more than 40 little goblins came to the New Orleans campus to celebrate Spooky Fest on October 21.

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November is National Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of preventable blindness in American adults. While early detection is key to treating diabetic eye diseases, such as retinopathy and macular edema, many Americans are not taking the necessary steps to detect or slow the disease process.

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Autumn months carry threat of hurricanes

Autumn months carry threat of hurricanes

A departure from the oppressive heat of summer often coincides with the dismissal of a potential hurricane threat. But forecasters warn not to become too complacent. Hurricane season ends November 30, and most hurricane activity occurs between mid-August and mid-October. Thus, maintaining vigilance with preparation and planning is key to keeping you and your family safe this season.

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Light the Way for Safe Trick-or-Treating

Light the Way for Safe Trick-or-Treating

Halloween can be a tricky time for children with low vision, with plenty of hazards lurking in unexpected places. To keep this favorite holiday fun and support trick-or-treaters with low vision, follow these safety tips from Lighthouse Louisiana’s Vision Rehabilitation team.

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Lighthouse Celebrates White Cane Day

Lighthouse Celebrates White Cane Day

The Baton Rouge community gathered September 14 in observance of White Cane Safety Day. The event, sponsored by Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired (LSVI) and the Usher Syndrome Awareness of Louisiana, was held in Town Square in downtown Baton Rouge.

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Lighthouse Presents to Louisiana Rehabilitation Services

Lighthouse Presents to Louisiana Rehabilitation Services

Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS) gave Lighthouse Louisiana an opportunity to share the important work of the organization at an LRS meeting held September 1 at UNO TRAC. Natalie Harrison, CESP, Director of Employment Services, and Robert Trahan, Director of Vision Rehabilitation, were invited to speak about the new and improved services and programs at Lighthouse, including active and hold services, current service processes, future service goals, and how to refer for services.

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National Disability Employment Awareness Month

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits employment discrimination against people with disabilities in the federal sector. Join Lighthouse Louisiana in celebrating the contributions of these individuals during October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).

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Lighthouse welcomes new staff members for September

​Lighthouse welcomes new staff members for September.

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Employment Services Hosts National Recruiter

The Employment Services team rolled out the red carpet August 10th for CW Resources, a national recruiter that has hired a dozen participants from the Employment Services

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Vision Rehabilitation Duo Broadens Awareness

Wendy Cochran, COTA, and Eric Mills, Orientation and Mobility Instructor, from Vision Rehabilitation participated in two community events aimed at educating people about the services of the Lighthouse.

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Seeing Through Simple Solutions

Baton Rouge resident Katherine Baron was well into her 80s before she began having vision issues. Macular degeneration left her with only peripheral vision in her right eye, and as glaucoma took over her left eye, she no longer had depth perception.

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History of National Guide Dog Month

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Hurricane Season: Staying Safe When Sheltering in Place

Hurricane Idalia made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida as a Category 3 storm on August 30 and it reminds us that we need to make a plan sooner rather than later. The peak time for hurricane season is upon us.

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Employment Services Remains Compliant

Employment Services Remains Compliant

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Camp Lighthouse Adds a Little Lagniappe

Camp Lighthouse Adds a Little Lagniappe

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Fussell Joins Louisiana Rehabilitation Council Board

Fussell Joins Louisiana Rehabilitation Council Board

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Lighthouse Louisiana Celebrates MOVEBR Milestone

Lighthouse Louisiana Celebrates MOVEBR Milestone

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August is National Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month.

August is National Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month.

Follow these healthy vision tips from NIH’s National Eye Institute to protect your children’s vision and eye health.

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Hurricane preparedness: Know your Zone and Plan Ahead

If you live in a mandatory evacuation area and you are ordered to evacuate, know what steps to take before departing.

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Welcome to the Lighthouse

Welcome to our newest staff members.

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Camp Lighthouse: Kids Find Focus Through Fun

The first full week of June was packed with play for 12 local youth who participated in Vision Rehabilitation Services’ (VRS) Camp Lighthouse. Through a succession of activities around the community, these visually impaired campers, ages 7 to 16, practiced navigating new environments aided by Lighthouse Louisiana staff.

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Shining a Light on Disability Employment

In commemoration of the July 26, 1990, signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, July is designated as Disability Pride Month. Lighthouse Louisiana spotlights the pride, challenges, and achievements experienced within the disabled community and highlights the organization’s contributions to the promotion of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

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Hurricane Season: What’s in your Go Bag?

Although forecasters predict a near-normal hurricane season, it’s important to be ready to evacuate should a major storm head your way. If you have only moments before leaving, grab these things and go!

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Casey Coleman found her future at lighthouse

When Casey Coleman was 18 months old, she was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called achromatopsia. The condition is characterized by loss of color vision, light sensitivity, and other visual acuity issues, such as myopia and hyperopia.

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Consumer Blooms at Dan’s Landscaping

Dan’s Landscaping in Gretna, La., joins a growing network of employers who can attest to the value individuals with disabilities bring to the workforce.

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Loyola University and Lighthouse Give Consumers a Place to Shine

For nearly 10 years, Lighthouse Louisiana has partnered with Loyola University to give individuals with disabilities meaningful employment. These consumers can be found in Loyola’s Resident Dining Orleans Room, where they work in the front of the house or behind the scenes as dishwashers, line staff and dining room attendants.

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Vision Rehab, Making Mats in Fun 101

Vision Rehabilitation’s Fun 101 class meets every two weeks for an entertaining and interactive experience for Lighthouse’s blind and low-vision clients. Fun 101 provides a way to sharpen skills while playfully connecting with others. The class alternates between recreational activities, such as Yahtzee; trivia and yoga, and craft-making.

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Lighthouse Employee Leads Tandem Bike Rides

When David Green first rode a tandem bike after going blind, he didn’t know what to expect. What he found was a renewed energy, stirring something inside of him that he wanted to share with others.

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