Lighthouse Guild

09/01/2026

For over three decades, Meagan was a NYC elementary school teacher. She was the tech savvy one — the one who answered all her students' computer questions.

But when she began losing her vision later in life, the computers that once helped her solve problems began creating them.

Meagan joined Tech Pals, a program that pairs low-vision young adults with older adults experiencing vision loss. That's where she met Vinnie — a college student and assistive tech pro who is blind herself.

An important moment in their partnership was a surprising one for someone who’d been a teacher for over thirty years. Vinnie told Meagan, “You’re not going to remember this if you don’t take notes,” — something Meagan told her students for years.

Meagan and Vinnie worked together for a year and it's clear their bond is special. And this August, Vinnie graduated as a mentor.

Read more about Meagan and Vinnie here:

After thirty-one years as a New York City schoolteacher, Meagan was used to being the one having all the answers. For decades, students and colleagues who attended…

08/27/2026

It's back-to-school season!

Between shopping lists and meet-the-teacher nights, parents and teachers have a lot to juggle this time of year.

For parents who are blind or have low vision, there are even more things to consider.

We asked blind parents of sighted children to share a message for teachers. Here's what they said...

"Don’t scale back what you expect of me as a parent just because I’m
blind. Ask me to volunteer, ask me to participate." —Andrea B., parent of two children ages 6 and 9

"Talk to us about accessible formats. I prefer to get handouts electronically or in large print. If there is something important, call me. But every blind parent has different needs." —Elin J., parent of an 8-year-old

"It’s okay to say, ‘I’ve never had a student with a blind parent. Is it okay if I ask some questions?’ Curiosity shows that you care." —Nitin D., parent of two children ages 14 and 17

08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day! 🐾

We can't think of more hardworking professionals than these incredible pups. Let's meet some of the guide dogs for Lighthouse Guild staff.

Shadow is our Chief Wayfinding Officer. He knows every hallway, door, and exactly how to get Thomas to his desk.

Inga is the Special Advisor for Pawsitivity. The official mood booster for our Advisory Council.

Umpire is the Director of Bark Services. He supervises our Braille Literacy classes.

Behind every one of these good boys and girls is a handler who trusts them with their independence every single day.

Happy to these guide dogs — and to every service dog out there doing the most important work on four legs. 🐾

08/21/2026

This week, we graduated our Tech Pals class of 2026!

Tech Pals is a one-of-a-kind program that connects older adults (55+) experiencing vision loss with young adult mentors (ages 18-24) who are also blind or have low vision and are trained in accessible technology.

Over the course of a year, mentors help older adults learn to use accessibility features and apps on their mobile devices with confidence. They gain valuable work experience and specialized training, and build leadership skills that can help prepare them for future career opportunities.

For mentees, they receive personalized, hands-on support in a comfortable environment where their needs are understood. Throughout the year, they gain confidence in staying connected with friends, family, and the digital world.

Thanks to our CEO, Thomas Panek, and members of the New York State Commission for the Blind (New York State Office of Children and Family Services)

Know someone who might benefit from Tech Pals? Learn more on our website: https://lighthouseguild.org/technology/technology-center/tech-pals/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=techpals

08/18/2026

Do you know what "low vision" means?

It's not one condition — it's a range of vision loss that can't be fully corrected with glasses, contacts, medication, or surgery. In this video, we break down four common causes: macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy.

Want to learn more? Follow along as we explore more types of low vision and the tools people use to live, work, and shine.

08/12/2026

"In that moment, I became a baseball player. I became an athlete. I became a competitor and I was dead set on being a champion."

Kiana spoke with Popsugar about the moment she knew she wanted to join the U.S. Blind Baseball Association - USBBA team. Just three years after starting her baseball journey, she travelled to Europe with the team and brought home bronze.

Before her baseball journey and before working for Lighthouse Guild, Kiana was a client—a new mom navigating both vision loss and motherhood, looking for support and community.

The full story is worth the read! Check the comments for the article.

08/12/2026

That's a wrap!

This past Saturday, we packed the house at Lincoln Center's Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse for Access in Focus: Blind Perspectives on Entertainment.

Here at Lighthouse Guild—as staff of folks across the blind, low-vision, and sighted spectrum—it was an honor to host an event by and for the blind and low-vision community.

We gathered singers, dancers, music producers, content creators, and folks from across the disability community for a thoughtful conversation about what it means to be blind in the entertainment industry. We talked technology. We talked barriers. We talked fabulous fashion (and showed it too).

Please raise a digital glass to all the blind and low-vision industry experts who came together to share their expertise and put on a fabulous show! Thank you to Lachi, Nicole Harris AKA Brass Knuckle Beauty, Petr Kucheryavyy of Spectrum Disability, and our lovely moderator and organizer, Kiana V. Glanton.

This event was help in partnership with Spectrum, and the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse was generously provided by Lincoln Center.

08/04/2026

The countdown has begun!

Access in Focus: Blind Perspectives on Entertainment is just 4 days away.

This Saturday, we're gathering at Lincoln Center Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse to explore how accessibility is changing the way we create, experience, and share stories — from film, television, and theater to social media and beyond.

Meet the panelists:

Lachi is an award-winning recording artist, author, media personality, and internationally renowned Disability Culture champion. Born legally blind, Lachi created the U.N.-recognized organization Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities: RAMPD, which works to make the highest levels of the music industry more disability inclusive.

Nicole Harris, AKA Brassknucklebeauty is a luminary, liberation-centered educator, blind content creator, and founder of Love The Hope Project.

Petr Kucheryavyy is the Director of Outreach, Communications, Learning and Development and the product owner of the Spectrum Access app for the Spectrum Accessibility team, Spectrum Disability.

Special thanks to Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts for generously providing event space to make this program possible.

Video description: Lachi, Nicole Harris, and Petr Kucheryavyy take turns talking direct-to-camera about the upcoming event Access in Focus: Blind Perspectives on Entertainment. An instrumental track of the song, Moves, by Lachi plays in the background.

08/03/2026

Congratulations to our Level 3 Braille literacy class graduates — the highest level offered at Lighthouse Guild!

Last week, students from our Braille literacy class celebrated their hard work alongside their instructor, Audrey, and representative from the New York State Commission for the Blind, Rosa Ramirez.

Braille literacy is an important tool for many people who are blind or have low vision.

07/31/2026

This week, we welcomed volunteers from PIMCO to Guildcare, our adult day program for blind and low vision adults!

Corporate volunteer days like this one bring extra hands, fresh energy, and genuine connection to our program participants. They help build the kind of community support that makes programs like Guildcare possible.

Thank you to the PIMCO team for spending your day with us!