Classes

All individual classes and groups are available to individuals with vision loss. For information on joining a group, scheduling an appointment with a specialist or to RSVP for a class, please contact Savannah at 850-942-3658, Ext 206 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Please follow us on Facebook (Lighthouse BigBend) and Instagram (lbb-lighthouseofthebigbend) for more information.

NEW Classes:

  • NEW - Beginning Orientation & Mobility Training
    Saturday, March 7th | 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at LBB
    Group Leader: Jessica Smith, TVI COMS
    Monthly on the 1st Saturday
    Orientation is an individual's ability to know where you are in a given space and mobility is navigating between two places safely, efficiently, and as independently as possible. During this training, we will cover several different topics including white cane techniques, human guide instructions, and utilization of public transportation.

  • NEW - Orientation & Mobility Group
    Tuesday, March 17th | 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at LBB
    Group Leader: Sharon Scherbarth-Simmons, TVI COMS
    Monthly on the 3rd Tuesday
    During this group, you will fine tune your orientation and mobility skills to be more agile with navigating spaces and your environment.

  • NEW - Parent Support Group
    Saturday, March 7th | 10 am to Noon at LBB
    Monthly support group for parents of children and babies with visual impairments to meet and discuss challenges they may be facing and celebrate successes. Both parents and children are welcome!  

  • NEW - Chronic Disease Self-Management Program

    This 6-week program begins Friday March 6 and ends Friday, April 17 except Good Friday, April 4.
    March 6, 13, 20, and 27 and April 10 and 17 | 9 am to 11:30 pm at LBB
    Presenter, Stephanie Howard, Healthy Aging Program Manager, Big Bend Area Health Education Center
    Group Leader: Cassandra Jessie, VRT
    This program will discuss health management tools for adults with chronic illness including arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, anxiety, depression, and other persistent health concerns. The benefits of the program include decreased pain & health distress and feelings of depression; increased energy & less fatigue and physical activity levels; and better communication with doctors; improved healthful behaviors and symptom management and overall health.

  • Beginning Adaptive Cooking Class
    Thursday, March 5 and 12 | 10 am to Noon at LBB
    Monthly on the 1st and 2nd Thursday of the month thru May
    Group Leader: Cassandra Jessie, VRT
    You will learn adaptive techniques, safely use kitchen utensils, work as a team, and plan menus.

Assistive Technology Classes:

  • BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download Program) Review and Read Along 
    Tuesday, March 4 | 1 to 3 pm at LBB
    Group Leader: Janet Acheson, Ed.S. TVI
    Learn how to download a book that everyone will read and at the end of the month we will gather to share our triumphs, challenges, and suggestions.

  • iPhone Open Q & A
    March 24 | 1 to 3 pm at LBB
    Monthly on the 4th Tuesday of the month.
    Group Leader: Janet Acheson, Ed.S. TVI
    Share triumphs and challenges you are having with iPhone.

  • iPhone Reminders App
    Tuesdays on March 10 and 17 | 1 to 3 pm at LBB
    Group Leader: Janet Acheson, Ed.S. TVI
    Join us to explore the benefits of using the iPhone Reminders app. We will explore how it’s different from a simple alarm, how to use Reminders with Siri, and how it can work with other apps on your iPhone. 

  • Remote iPhone and iPad Lesson & Support Group - Advanced iPhone users only please.
    Learn accessibility features and ask questions.
    Every Tuesday | March 3, 10, 17, and 24 | 4 to 5 pm Group Call Only
    Open Discussion, Q&A, and Support for iPhone users. Please call Janet at 850-942-3658 Ext 212 to connect with the group.
    Group Leader: Janet Acheson, Ed.S. TVI

  • Android Lesson & Support Group - Learn accessibility features and ask questions
    Wednesdays | 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm | In-Person only at LBB
    Group Leader: David Darm, MS

  • Advanced iPhone Lesson & Support Group - Learn accessibility features and ask questions
    Wednesdays | 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm | In-Person only at LBB
    Group Leader: John Ryan

  • Assistive Technology Computer Training - Learn accessibility features and ask questions
    Thursdays | 1 pm to 3 pm | In-Person only at LBB
    Group Leader: John Ryan

  • Beginning iPhone & iPad Lesson & Support Group - Learn accessibility features and ask questions
    Every Friday, March 6, 13, 20, and 27 | 2 pm to 3 pm | In-Person only at LBB
    Group Leader: Cassandra Jessie, VRT

  • Computer Lab - Available to LBB clients
    Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday | 10 am to Noon at LBB
    Please call John to schedule a time at 850-942-3658 Ext 222.
    In person instruction available on computers and assistive technology devices including iPad, iPhone, Android, Braille Displays, Windows PC, Alexa, Chromebook, Mac, FUSION, JAWS, Notetakers, NVDA, OrCam, Windows Magnifier, Windows Narrator, Windows PC, ZoomText Magnifier, and ZoomText Magnifier \ Reader. We also provide practice on Windows PC and typing accuracy skills.

  • Beginning JAWS (Job Access With Speech) Lesson & Support Group
    Every Friday, March 6, 13, 20, and 27 | 1 to 2 pm at LBB
    Group Leader: Cassandra Jessie, VRT
    This class will help you learn how to utilize JAWS and a computer keyboard as a screen reader designed for individuals with vision loss. JAWS provides speech output for various Microsoft Office computer applications enabling users to access and interact with digital content confidently and effectively.

Miscellaneous Clases:

  • Field Trip Friday - Dinner and a movie
    Friday, March 27 | 3 to 5 pm at LBB
    Group Leader: Cassandra Jessie, VRT

  • Beginning Braille Group
    Wednesday, March 18 | 10 am to Noon at LBB
    Monthly on the 3rd Wednesday
    Group Leader: Janet Acheson Ed.S. TVI
    Explore casual and fun uses of braille along with other tactile techniques to engage in the world around you.

  • Intermediate Braille Group
    Wednesday, March 4 | 10 am to Noon at LBB
    Monthly on the 1st Wednesday
    Group Leader: Janet Acheson Ed.S. TVI
    Learn how to apply braille into your daily activities. This group will be helpful for those receiving individual braille lessons at LBB and those who already know braille.

  • Vision Loss Peer Support Group
    Wednesday, March 4 and 18 at LBB
    1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month | Noon to 1:30 pm at LBB
    Group Leader: Jeffery Douglas MSW
    The support group provides an opportunity to share and discuss topics such as personal attitudes toward blindness, self-esteem, coping strategies, becoming more independent, self-advocacy, and coping with one’s own emotions in the vision loss journey.

  • Employment Readiness Group
    Tuesdays | 10 am to 11:30 am | Group Call | Please call Jeff for the number.
    Thursdays | 10 am to 11:30 am at LBB | In-Person only
    Group Leader: Jeffery Douglas MSW

    This group will help you enhance essential skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed in the workforce. You will also learn vital soft skills like communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and adaptability.

  • Community Groups – Monthly Vision Loss Support Group
    Groups are for seniors who are visually impaired and their family and friends. You are welcome to join a group if you or a loved one are experiencing vision loss. Individuals attending are in all stages of vision loss. 
    • Mulligan Park - Monthly Vision Loss Support Group
      Monday, March 9 | 11 to 12 pm
      Group Leader: Janet Acheson, Ed.S. TVI
      Join LBB’s Vision Loss Support Group for individuals who are visually impaired, experiencing vision loss, or have a loved one or friend experiencing vision loss. Individuals attending are in all stages of vision loss.

    • Westminster Oaks – Monthly Vision Loss Support Group
      Wednesday, March 11 | 2:30 to 3:30 pm | Parry Center - Fireside Room 
      2nd Wednesday of the month       Group Leader: Janet Acheson, Ed.S. TVI
      Join LBB’s Vision Loss Support Group for individuals who are visually impaired, experiencing vision loss, or have a loved one or friend experiencing vision loss. Individuals attending are in all stages of vision loss.
      Open to the public.

    • Westminster Oaks - Assistive Technology Training
      Thursday, March 5 and 19 | 10 am to 11:30 am at LBB
      1st and 3rd Thursday of every month 
      Group Leader: Janet Acheson, Ed.S. TVI
      Transportation to LBB provided by Westminster Oaks.
      This training will teach how technology (cell phones, tablets, pads, and/or laptops) can provide more independence to individuals with vision loss. Please bring the device you would like to learn more about

    • Advent Christian Village – 1st Monday of the Month*
      Monday, March 2nd | 1:30 to 3 pm | Old Pavilion Room 
      Group Leader: Wayne Warner
      Open to the public.
      *If the first Monday of the month is a holiday, class will be held on the following Monday.

Youth Group (ages 6 to 22)

Group Leaders: 
Sharon Scherbarth Simmons, COMS CTVI, Children's Program Director
Terrence Snider, Transition Program Director

March Youth Group Activities: 

  • Sunday, March 1 | 8 am to 2 pm | LBB | Youth Group Tutoring Availability
  • Saturday, March 7 | 9 am to 2 pm | LBB | Transition Students - Instruction in Self-Advocacy 
  • Sunday, March 8 | 8 am to Noon | LBB | Youth Group Tutoring Availability
  • Saturday, March 14 | 9 am to 2 pm | LBB | Transition Students - Workplace Readiness Training
  • Sunday, March 15 | 8 am to Noon | LBB | Youth Group Tutoring Availability
  • Friday, March 20 at 4 pm thru March 21 at 9 am | Youth Group Lock!!!
  • Sunday, March 22 | 8 am to Noon | LBB | Youth Group Tutoring Availability
  • Sunday, March 29 | 8 am to Noon| LBB | Youth Group Tutoring Availability

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