As many of you know, Braille Skateboarding’s mission is to push skateboarding all over the world. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn how to skateboard, no matter where you’re from, or who you are. Braille Skateboarding wants to break down the barriers that prevent people from enjoying this thing that we love so much. Not only do we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to skate, but we also feel very strongly about everyone having equal opportunities in all the facets of life; such as access to education, employment, and good quality of life.

This is why we’re so excited to be working alongside San Francisco’s LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired! Founded in 1902, this incredible organization promotes the independence, equality, and self-reliance of people who are blind or have low vision. Take Braille’s warehouse manager, for example;  Alex Harding. Alex moved to the US from Sierra Leone back in 2013 but struggled to find employment as a person with low vision. In 2016, Alex signed up for LightHouse’s Employment Immersion Program. Through this program, Alex was able to conduct a rigorous job which led to Braille Skateboarding offering him the position. Watch the video below to learn more about Alex’s journey. 

Braille Skateboarding is extremely proud to be a tenant of LightHouse for the Blind at the Sirkin Center in San Leandro. LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired established this agreement with Braille because of our commitment to employ blind people like Alex. Braille Skateboarding has always, and will always do whatever we can to ensure everyone has the same opportunity to grow and thrive, both in skateboarding and in life.  As Alex said himself, don’t let your disability define your life. No matter what you’re trying to accomplish in life, as long as you put your heart into it, you can get it done.

Visit www.lighthouse-sf.org for more information on the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Through LightHouse you can receive education, training, and community for people who are blind or have changing vision. You can also volunteer and get hands-on to support their mission – as an individual or volunteer group. Last but not least, you can also donate which helps to ensure the success and stability of the blindness community for years to come. Now get out there and SKATE!