Living with hearing and vision loss can make it more difficult to remain connected, reduce access to healthcare and supportive services, and further limit job opportunities for older adults. Our Vision and Hearing Initiative works to counter these isolating effects. Over 19,500 San Francisco seniors 60 and older (12.7%) have a hearing disability and over 11,300 have significant vision loss.
Accessible Technology Training
ADAPTIVE DEVICES like high contrast keyboards make computers more accessible to participants with limited vision.
Working in Adult Day Health Centers, at SF Connected computer labs, and other locations, we provide participants with adaptive technologies and strategies to ensure that they can stay connected and find information online.
Each year, our Trainers help over 600 computer students with vision and/or hearing disabilities, and provided low-income seniors with approximately $7,000 of assistive devices or aids.
Neighborhood Outreach
HANDS-ON-DEMONSTRATIONS provide opportunities to learn about and test out new strategies and devices.
To reach more isolated neighbors, we have increased education and resources for participants in our Neighborhood and Food Networks.
Our Community Connectors coordinate hearing screenings, organize hands-on demonstrations for adaptive devices, distribute information on communication strategies, and bring in other resources as needed.
Accessible Meetings & Events
We train all of our staff to serve as Ambassadors, working to increase vision and hearing accessibility throughout our programs and beyond. Our Connectors and Trainers receive training on best practices and carry “Communication Toolkits” filled with magnifying glasses, assistive listening devices, and other useful equipment.
We maintain a San Francisco Directory of Resources for Seniors Living with Vision and Hearing Disabilities, which guides participants to resources at the SF Public Library, Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Hearing and Speech Center of Northern California, the Independent Living Resource Center, and much more.
This Francis Goldsmith Vision and Hearing initiative is supported by a generous grant from the United Way of the Bay Area and was developed by CLC Connector LaNay Eastman. For more information, contact Vision & Hearing Accessibility Manager Sherri Sawyer at sherri@sfcommunityliving.org or by calling 415-821-1003.