Blog

We’re proud to announce that Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches has been recognized for its dedication to innovation and accessibility! This nomination came after a great effort by our very own Vision Rehabilitation Therapist and Assistive Technology Specialist, Diane Salina ! For over three decades, Diane’s expertise and passion have been instrumental in helping individuals with vision loss reclaim their independence. From teaching daily living skills to introducing cutting-edge assistive technologies, Diane’s work reflects the heart of Lighthouse’s mission: empowering lives through innovation and support.One of her standout contributions is the implementation of an advanced beacon navigation system using QR-like codes, enabling blind and low-vision clients to safely and independently navigate our facility. Diane also leads training in screen readers, magnification tools, smart devices, and accessible apps, creating personalized solutions that meet the unique needs of every client. Help Us Shine a Light on Accessibility Voting is open from July 15 to August 15, 2025 , and we need your help to showcase Diane’s extraordinary contributions to accessibility and education. 👉 Vote daily at Palm Beach Illustrated Education Awards Voting Let’s come together as a community to celebrate Diane and the Lighthouse’s ongoing commitment to transforming lives across Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Okeechobee counties. The winners will be announced on September 11, 2025 , at the Palm Beach Illustrated Education Awards Reception at the stunning Belgrove Resort . Thank you for helping us highlight the incredible work that continues to make a difference for individuals with vision loss.

Discover how Lighthouse helps children, teens, and adults who are visually impaired gain true independence—through care, training, and lifelong support.

From kids’ vision screenings to cultural and wellness outings, Lighthouse programs empower the blind and visually impaired—help us keep them going strong.

Learn about the Early Intervention and Children’s Programs at Lighthouse for the Blind, empowering kids with vision impairments from birth through age 14.

Lighthouse for the Blind has been nominated for the 2025 Boca Raton Observer Readers’ Choice Awards! Voting opens July 15—help us take home the win!

Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches is proud to share that our Executive Director, Lisa Stella, recently served as a panelist at the 2025 FPTA/FDOT/CUTR Professional Development Workshop & Transit Safety and Operations Summit, held June 9–11 at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in Tampa, Florida. Lisa took the stage on Tuesday, June 10, from 1:15 to 3:00 PM EDT, during a key workshop session titled: "Navigating the Future: AI in Transit" A Powerful Conversation on AI's Role in Transit This engaging session addressed the growing momentum behind artificial intelligence (AI) within public transit operations. Rather than discussing AI in abstract terms, the panel focused on real-world applications—highlighting how AI is already transforming fleet management, maintenance, routing, and rider communication. Lisa brought a crucial and often overlooked voice to the discussion: accessibility. As Executive Director of Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches, Lisa emphasized that AI innovations must be inclusive from the ground up. She spoke on how transit technology impacts individuals who are blind or visually impaired and urged decision-makers to view accessibility as a core feature—not an afterthought. The Panel Lineup Lisa joined a distinguished group of professionals who brought unique perspectives to the session: Joe McCabe, Operations Manager, LeeTran Joseph Cheney, Deputy Director of Maintenance, PSTA Martin Catala, Program Director, Transit Management & Innovation Group, CUTR Dr. Jacob Yan, Assistant Professor, UF Transportation Institute Together, the panel explored the balance between technological advancement and human-centered design. Lisa's remarks stood out as a powerful reminder that innovation must work for all riders, regardless of ability. Lisa Stella's Impact Lisa's contribution resonated with many in the audience, especially those working to modernize transit systems without leaving behind vulnerable populations. She shared stories from Lighthouse clients who rely on accessible transit and challenged attendees to prioritize universal design in their AI planning efforts. As Lisa reflected after the session: "When we design with inclusion in mind from the start, we don't just make transit better for people with disabilities—we make it better for everyone." About the Event Sponsored by the Florida Public Transportation Association (FPTA), Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), and the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR), this annual summit brought together hundreds of Florida's top transit professionals. Attendees gained valuable insight into operations, safety, innovation, and staff development—all while networking and collaborating across agencies and roles. Looking Ahead Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches remains committed to being part of the conversation on transit equity and innovation. We thank the organizers for including Lisa in this critical dialogue—and we're excited to keep pushing forward, ensuring AI and other technologies create a more inclusive and empowering future for all.

This is a subtitle for your new post

Cooking is a vital life skill . It boosts confidence, helps stay healthy, and keeps us connected with others. But for people with vision loss, cooking can seem like an impossible task at first. The good news is, clever tools, smart techniques, and strong community support make independence in the kitchen reachable. This article shares inspiring stories and practical tips to show how anyone, regardless of sight, can cook confidently and safely.

Empowering Independence Through Technology For people with visual impairments, everyday tasks like reading, navigating, or using a smartphone can be challenging. Fortunately, technology is making the world more accessible with apps designed to assist with mobility, communication, object recognition, and daily living. With 89% of visually impaired individuals owning a smartphone, they can use assistive apps to enhance their independence. At the Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches we are always on the lookout for any technology that could help the visually impaired. Here are 18 essential apps that can help blind and visually impaired individuals in their daily lives. *Note: The following list is a partial list of technologies that staff at the Lighthouse will use to train our participants. Training is based on the individual's needs, skills, abilities, and devices available. Using an app does not replace the need for Orientation and Mobility training for personal safety apps should not be the sole method for wayfinding and street crossings. 1. Seeing AI A multipurpose AI-powered app that helps users read documents, identify objects, recognize faces, and detect emotions. Just point the camera, and it will describe what it sees! 📱 Download Seeing AI (iOS) 2. Lookout The Android counterpart to Seeing AI, Lookout reads text, identifies objects, and recognizes money using the smartphone camera. 📱 Download Lookout (Android)