Lighthouse Vision Loss Center

10/16/2026

🦯💙 Highlands County Walks for Independence, Inclusion & Accessibility!

What a wonderful celebration of community, awareness, and independence in Highlands County!

Lighthouse Vision Loss Center was proud to celebrate White Cane Awareness Day at Sebring Circle Park, bringing our community together to recognize the achievements, abilities, and independence of individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

White Cane Awareness Day is about more than raising awareness. It’s about celebrating freedom, breaking down barriers, and recognizing that everyone deserves the opportunity to navigate their community safely, confidently, and independently.

The white cane is more than an essential mobility tool. It is a powerful symbol of independence, equality, confidence, and opportunity.

💙 A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us in Highlands County to show their support and help spread this important message.

At Lighthouse Vision Loss Center, we’re committed to empowering individuals with vision loss through education, training, and the tools they need to live life to the fullest.

Every step toward awareness is a step toward a more accessible and inclusive community! 🦯💙

10/16/2026

🦯💙 Walking Together for Independence, Inclusion & Accessibility!

What a wonderful morning along the beautiful Bradenton Riverwalk!

Lighthouse Vision Loss Center was proud to sponsor our 3rd Annual White Cane Day Walk at Rossi Park, bringing our community together to celebrate independence, raise awareness, and champion accessibility for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

We were thrilled by the incredible turnout and the outpouring of community support! 💙

A heartfelt thank you to Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown for recognizing the importance of White Cane Awareness Day with an official proclamation. We are also grateful to Dogs Inc., the Manatee County Council of the Blind, and the newly chartered Southwest Florida Lions Club for joining us in support of this meaningful occasion.

Our very own Latricia Gambrell, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, proudly led participants along the scenic Riverwalk, helping shine a light on white cane awareness, pedestrian safety, and the importance of safe, independent travel.

The white cane is so much more than a mobility tool. It represents freedom, confidence, independence, and the right to navigate our communities safely and equally.

At Lighthouse Vision Loss Center, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to live independently, confidently, and without barriers.

Thank you to everyone who walked alongside us and helped make our third White Cane Day Walk such a success! Together, we’re creating a community where accessibility and inclusion are more than words—they’re a shared commitment. 💙🦯

10/16/2026

10/16/2026

At yesterday's City Council meeting, Mayor Gene Brown presented a proclamation recognizing October 15, 2026, as National White Cane Day in the City of Bradenton.

This important day celebrates the independence, achievements, and mobility of individuals who are blind or visually impaired while raising awareness about accessibility, inclusion, and pedestrian safety.

The white cane is more than a mobility tool. It is a symbol of independence, confidence, and equal access to our communities.

The City of Bradenton is proud to recognize this day and reaffirm our commitment to creating a safe, welcoming, and accessible community for everyone.

10/15/2026

🤍🦯 Celebrating Independence, Inclusion & Empowerment!

Our first White Cane Day Celebration was a wonderful success! 🎉

Today was about so much more than a walk. It was a celebration of independence, achievement, and the incredible abilities of individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

White Cane Awareness Day serves as an important reminder that the white cane is more than a vital mobility tool. It is a powerful symbol of independence, freedom, equality, and opportunity.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to County Commissioner Mark Smith for joining us and reading the official proclamation recognizing this important day.

A special thank you to Megan Kvedar for organizing such a meaningful event and to Latricia Gambrell, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, for proudly leading the walk and helping demonstrate the importance of safe, independent travel.

Most importantly, thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate, show their support, and help raise awareness!

At Lighthouse Vision Loss Center, we believe that vision loss should never mean a loss of independence, opportunity, or quality of life.

Together, we are breaking down barriers, changing perceptions, and building a more accessible and inclusive community.

Because independence matters. Accessibility matters. And inclusion matters. 🤍🦯

10/10/2026

💜👓 DID YOU KNOW? Lighthouse Has a Low Vision Store!

That’s right! 🔎✨

Welcome to Lumination — the Low Vision Store at Lighthouse Vision Loss Center!

Whether you’re living with vision loss or helping someone who is, Lumination offers a variety of innovative products and assistive technology designed to make everyday life easier and more independent.

From handheld and digital magnifiers to specialized lighting, adaptive tools and everyday essentials, we’re here to help you discover solutions that fit your needs.

💜 Because vision loss shouldn’t mean losing your independence.

Our knowledgeable team is here to help you explore the possibilities and find the tools that can make a real difference.

✨ Stop by Lumination and discover how the right tools can open up a world of possibilities!

📍 Visit Us: 7318 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243

📞 Call Us: (941) 359-1404

🌐 Website: www.lighthouseeducationcenter.org

🕒 Lighthouse Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM (call to confirm store hours).

10/10/2026

🦯Don’t forget to join us !

💙 JOIN US FOR WHITE CANE AWARENESS! 💙🦯

This October, Lighthouse Vision Loss Center is proud to come together with our communities to celebrate White Cane Awareness Day — recognizing independence, mobility, accessibility, and the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired.

We have events happening throughout our service area, and we’d love for you to join us!

📍 Punta Gorda
Sunday, October 11 | 10 AM–3 PM
Punta Gorda Art & Craft Fair at Laishley Park

📍 Sarasota County
Thursday, October 15 | 9–11 AM
Paul Thorpe Jr. Park

📍 Highlands County
Thursday, October 15 | 9–11:30 AM
Sebring Circle

📍 Manatee County
Friday, October 16 | 9–11 AM
Riverwalk/Rossi Park

📍 Laurel Civic – Nokomis
Friday, October 16 | 4–5:30 PM
Laurel Civic

📍 DeSoto County
Saturday, November 14 | 8 AM–12 PM
Friendship Center Wellness Event at Brewer Park, Arcadia

🦯 The white cane is more than a mobility tool — it represents independence, confidence, freedom and equal access.

Come walk with us, connect with our community and help us raise awareness throughout Southwest Florida!

✨ Register to join us:
https://form.jotform.com/262376756959074

Please click the link to complete this form.

10/09/2026

On World Sight Day, we cast a spotlight on the importance of eye care and encourage everyone to . Join us on Thursday, 8 October 2026, and be part of focusing the worlds’ attention on eye care that is accessible, available and affordable to all.

10/01/2026

🦯💙 JOIN US FOR WHITE CANE AWARENESS! 💙🦯

This October, Lighthouse Vision Loss Center is proud to come together with our communities to celebrate White Cane Awareness Day — recognizing independence, mobility, accessibility, and the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired.

We have events happening throughout our service area, and we’d love for you to join us!

📍 Punta Gorda
Sunday, October 11 | 10 AM–3 PM
Punta Gorda Art & Craft Fair at Laishley Park

📍 Sarasota County
Thursday, October 15 | 9–11 AM
Paul Thorpe Jr. Park

📍 Highlands County
Thursday, October 15 | 9–11:30 AM
Sebring Circle

📍 Manatee County
Friday, October 16 | 9–11 AM
Riverwalk/Rossi Park

📍 Laurel Civic – Nokomis
Friday, October 16 | 4–5:30 PM
Laurel Civic

📍 DeSoto County
Saturday, November 14 | 8 AM–12 PM
Friendship Center Wellness Event at Brewer Park, Arcadia

🦯 The white cane is more than a mobility tool — it represents independence, confidence, freedom and equal access.

Come walk with us, connect with our community and help us raise awareness throughout Southwest Florida!

✨ Register to join us:
https://form.jotform.com/262376756959074

09/26/2026

🦯✨ A Busy Week in Orientation & Mobility!

For Orientation & Mobility Specialist Latricia Gambrell, every lesson has a purpose: helping our clients build the skills and confidence to navigate their communities with greater independence.

This week took Latricia — and our clients — all across the community!

🏖️ She started the week on Siesta Key Beach, training VR client Nico and his guide dog to safely navigate the area where Nico will be volunteering every Thursday at the Sarasota County ambassador desk. A new route learned — and a new opportunity for Nico to give back to his community.

🚌 Next came bus travel training with OB client Rena Hawk. Rena practiced traveling from her home in East Bradenton to the Route 3 bus stop and on to the Downtown Bradenton Transfer Station. Once there, she learned to navigate the station, locate customer service and the restroom, identify the different bus platforms, and finished her lesson practicing street crossings.

🦯 Latricia wrapped up the week back at the Lighthouse, working with OB client Edward on safely ascending and descending stairs.

Different clients. Different goals. Different environments.

But every lesson is working toward the same thing: greater confidence, greater freedom, and greater independence.

This is Orientation & Mobility in action — taking skills learned in training and turning them into real-world independence. 💙