Vista Center San Jose Classes

San Jose Spring Calendar

Spring 2021
Online Activities Schedule
& General Information

View June 2021 Schedule (MS Word)

View June 2021 Schedule (PDF)

Vista Center – San Jose is a community-based organization dedicated to increasing the confidence, independence, and quality of life of the blind and visually impaired. We address complex vision loss issues comprehensively through rehabilitative, educational, and recreational services.
Our services, programs, and classes are available to all visually impaired adults. One-on-one consults are by appointment. Online Services are available during Shelter at Home. Please call for more information.

Vista Center – San Jose Branch

101 North Bascom Avenue
San Jose, CA 95128

Monday – Thursday, 9 AM to 3 PM
The Center is open by appointment only.

For More Information: Call 408-295-4016

ONLINE SERVICES OFFERINGS
For more information, contact the number listed for the group or call 408.295.4016 ext. 204.

MONDAY

CERAMICS I (HANDBUILDING) 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Participants create their own projects. Clean up is a participant responsibility. Instructor: Angel Fee: $40/Qtr.
Class is at Vista Center San Jose
CERAMICS I (HANDBUILDING) 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Participants create their own projects. Clean up is a participant responsibility. Instructor: Angel Fee: $40/Qtr.
Class is at Vista Center San Jose

TUESDAY

Mat Yoga 7 AM – 7:40AM (40 minutes)
All ability levels welcome. Breathing, stretching, and relaxation exercises promoting health.
Instructor/School: Yoga Bharati Fee: No fee
Zoom https://zoom.us/j/94778182537
Meeting ID: 947 7818 2537
Passcode: 200321
CERAMICS I (HANDBUILDING) 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Participants create their own projects. Clean up is a participant responsibility. Instructor: Angel    Fee: $40/Qtr. ($20 fall only)
Class is at Vista Center San Jose
CERAMICS I (HANDBUILDING) 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Participants create their own projects. Clean up is a participant responsibility. Instructor: Angel    Fee: $40/Qtr. ($20 fall only)
Class is at Vista Center San Jose

LIVING WITH VISION LOSS 1 PM – 3 PM
Adaptive techniques for independence & daily living.
Leader: Vivian Younger Fee: No Fee
Contact Vivian at 408-966-9299

Gentle Chair Yoga 4:30PM – 5:30PM (1 hour)
All ability levels welcome. Breathing, stretching, and relaxation exercises promoting health.
Instructor/School: Yoga Bharati Fee: No fee
Zoom https://zoom.us/j/93872248562
Meeting ID: 938 7224 8562
Passcode: 2020

WEDNESDAY

WEEKLY CLIENT COMMUNITY MEETING 10 AM - 11 AM
An open meeting held each Wednesday. Join us to stay up-to-date on our programs and activities and enjoy weekly speakers. Join the meeting at 9:45AM for a little social time before the meeting starts. Fee: No Fee
Contact: 408-295-4016 Ext 204

LOW INTENSITY EXERCISE CLASS (new) 1 PM – 2 PM
2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month

Effective entire-body exercise programs optimized for the blind and visually impaired can now be taken as a Zoom class. This is a low-intensity workout with a warm up, at a slower pace, including chair exercise.

Instructors: Tessa Moore and Dr. Dexter Thomas Fee: No Fee
Contact: 408-295-4016 Ext 204

HIGH INTENSITYEXERCISE CLASS (new) 2 PM –3 PM
2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month

Effective entire-body exercise program optimized for the blind and visually impaired can now be taken as a Zoom class. This is a higher-intensity workout, which includes more reps and sets. Duration of class depends on the participants.

Instructors: Tessa Moore and Dr. Dexter Thomas Fee: No Fee
Contact: 408-295-4016 Ext 204

Note: Both levels offer full-body workouts that have great moves for staying fit or getting into shape. Regardless of which level you choose they will help increase stamina and muscle growth, and improve strength. You can select either exercise session or both to optimize your training goals. The exercises target all major muscles including arms, legs, thighs, back, shoulders, neck, and stomach.

SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM – HOME DELIVERY (monthly)
A nutritious meal is provided for low-income, underserved clients over 60 years old and their spouses. Suggested donation is $3.00 per lunch. For those under 60, the Fee is $9.00 for a lunch. ***A bundle of 4 frozen meals and accompaniments are packaged and delivered to clients at home, monthly. Fees can be mailed to Vista Center San Jose or paid at a later date upon the Center’s re-opening.
BROWN BAG PROGRAM – HOME DELIVERY (bi-weekly)
A Brown Bag of groceries is available for low-income, underserved clients. The client must be pre-registered in the program.

THURSDAY

ADJUSTMENT TO VISION LOSS SUPPORT GROUP 1PM – 3PM Trained rehabilitation counselors help clients adjust to their vision loss and discuss adaptive techniques for daily living. This course is done in 15 weeks, one session per week. No fee.
Contact Vivian at 408-966-9299

FRIDAY

NEW! VISION LOSS EMPOWERMENT CLASSES

When: Fridays, 9:00AM to 11:00AM
Instructor: Vivian Younger, Consultant and Rehabilitation Specialist for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Vista Center
Fee: No Fee
Contact Vivian to register at 408-966-9299 or younger.vivian@gmail.com
Meeting number provided to those who register

The purpose of this class is to provide an opportunity for you to share your vision loss journeys with other participants who have a similar vision loss diagnosis, learn how to proactively live with limitations imposed by specific eye conditions and provide you with resources for support.

You will learn that empowerment involves obtaining information, educating yourself about your eye condition and advocating for yourself so that your needs will be addressed in the future.

Every other Friday, there will be a focus on an eye condition, as follows:

April 9              Diabetic Retinopathy and stroke
April 23            Cataract and Stargardt disease
May 7              Retinopathy of Prematurity & Congenital Blindness
May 21            Systemic related eye diseases (multiple sclerosis, lupus, cancer, etc)
June 4             Eye Injuries and/or unknown causes
June 18           Retinal detachments, retinal vein occlusion, etc.

MONTHLY SERVICES

SUPPORT GROUPS

SPANISH SUPPORT GROUP - MON 10AM – 12PM (2 hours)
3rd Monday of each month – April 19, May 17, June 21
Leader: John Faustino Fee: No Fee
Contact Info: 650-858-0202 x128

CYPRESS SUPPORT GROUP – WED 10-11:30AM (90 minutes)
3rd Wednesday of the month – April 21, May 19, June 16
Leader: Sharon Hudson Fee: No Fee
Contact Info: 650-858-0202 x111

WORKING AGE SUPPORT GROUP WED 11AM – 1PM (2 hours)
2nd Wednesday of the month – April 14, May 12, June 16
Leader: Sharon Hudson Fee: No Fee
Contact Info: 650-858-0202 x111

FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP SAT 10AM – 12PM (2 hours)
4th Saturday of the month – April 24, May 22, June 26
Leader: Vivian Younger Fee: No Fee
Contact Vivian at 408-966-9299
SOCIAL CONNEXUS PEER GROUP – FRI 1-2PM (1 hour)
4th Friday of the month – April 23, May 28, June 25
This is a client-focused, client led group
Leaders: Barbara Simas and Gabriela Aldana Fee: No Fee
Contact Info: Gabriela at galdana78@gmail.com

ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY USER GROUPS

Join us for our Accessible Technology Sessions

Tech It Out with Vista

Join Vista Center’s Accessible Technology Specialists for this new virtual discussion group focused on technology training. There will be a wide variety of topics covered in the months to come. Sessions will be online via Zoom. RSVP to Bob Geyer at bobgeyer.vistacenter@gmail.com.

Friday,          APRIL 2               10 AM to 11:30AM
Friday,          MAY 7                10 AM to 11:30AM
Friday,          JUNE 4               10 AM to 11:30AM

Another Slice of APPle Pie

Join VCSJ’s venerable, one and only, Ernie Molina for our famous, fantastic and free monthly seminars on accessible technology, new apps, & more. Sessions will be online via Zoom until further notice. Contact Lisa at 408-295-4016 x202 or email lquan@vistacenter.org to be added to the mailing list.

Please RSVP by Wed prior before each session

Friday,          APRIL 16             10 AM to 12 PM
Friday,          MAY 21              10 AM to 12 PM
Friday,          JUNE 18              10 AM to 12 PM

Online Shopping

Come learn the pros and cons of online shopping, what tools are needed, how to find items, reviews, and more. Various platforms will be covered, including smart phone, tablet, and computer.

Intended Audience Level: screen reader proficient
Requirement: smart phone/computer/tablet, screen reader enabled

Four Classes in February: Dates are TBD
Time: TBD, 1 hour per week (30 mins info, 30 mins demonstration)
Instructor: Son Kim, Assistive Technology Specialist

If you are interested contact Son Kim at skim@vistacenter.org

Movies Out of Sight!

Join us for Social Events & Films with Descriptive Narration

Join VCSJ’s Movie Focus Group as they review a popular movie, online from the comfort of your own home. Sign-up in advance. $5 fee waived until further notice. Contact Lisa at 408-295-4016 x202 or email lquan@vistacenter.org to be added to the mailing list. See you on Zoom at the Movies!

Friday,          APRIL 16                    1 to 3 PM
Friday,          MAY 21                      1 to 3 PM
Friday,          JUNE 18                     1 to 3 PM

Movies out of Sight logo

BOOK CLUBS

Get an Earful Book Club
2nd Mondays – April 12, May 10, June 14
10:00–11:30 AM
Led by Patrice Maginnis Fee: No Fee
If you are interested in joining us, RSVP to Patrice at
pmaginnis.vistacenter@gmail.com, or call (831) 458-9766.

VISTA BOOK CLUB – THURS 1:30 – 3PM (90 minutes)
4th Thursdays – April 22, May 27, June 24
Leader: John Lang Fee: No Fee
Contact John Lang at johnglang@aol.com or 650-344-8600.

SERVICES AND TRAINING CLASSES

All classes require pre-registration and fees must be paid by the first class. Most fee-based classes are offered by the quarter. For more information, call 408-295-4016 ext 204

ADAPTED LIVING SKILLS TRAINING Classes (cooking, basic sewing, in-home by appt. only) are available.
ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY TRAINING
Computer classes and low-technology solutions $30/Qtr. fee
COUNSELING
Individual and family counseling are available.
ORIENTATION & MOBILITY TRAINING
One-on-one training: proper cane use and guide techniques to increase mobility in the home and in the community.
BRAILLE INSTRUCTION
Individualized instruction on reading braille.
INFORMATION & REFERRAL
Resource information on helpful products and services.
IN-HOME ASSISTANCE
Volunteers are available to help clients in their home, with reading and paperwork.
CCTV RENTAL PROGRAM
Check out CCTV’S as available, $25 per month fee. Call Lisa at 408.295.4016 x 202 for more info.
PEER SUPPORT GROUPS
Facilitated support groups for independence & daily living.
CALL-IN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
The Ask-Ernie program is available to help clients in their home, with free Tuesday return calls for technical help with their devices.
RESOURCES
Resource materials, product catalogs, on-site Store with inventory

Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired