Discovering a New Perspective of Chicago Using iPhone and iPad
In the heart of Chicago, a unique and impactful program has been making waves this summer. The Photography for All program, a six-week initiative launched by The Chicago Lighthouse in partnership with the city's Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) and Apple, has been providing opportunities for youth with low vision or who are legally blind to explore their creative passions and develop valuable skills.
At the helm of this innovative program is Lisa Davis, the former director of One Summer Chicago, who originated the idea for the Photography for All program at The Chicago Lighthouse. Davis, who previously served as director of youth employment at DFSS before she retired, brought her passion for empowering young people to this groundbreaking project.
Apple has been a steadfast supporter of the city's One Summer Chicago program since 2017, and this year, they have helped create opportunities for youth to develop new skills with Everyone Can Create and Everyone Can Code guides. The participants of the Photography for All program have been equipped with the latest tools, each provided with an iPad Air, Apple Pencil, and Magic Keyboard by The Chicago Lighthouse. Apple experts have trained the students on using the camera and photography settings, as well as the accessibility features built into the devices such as VoiceOver and Zoom.
One of the participants, Adetokunbo 'Toks' Opeifa, an 18-year-old with cone-rod dystrophy, a retinal disorder, has found these tools particularly helpful. Opeifa uses her iPhone and iPad for photography, finding the Zoom feature invaluable for improving her vision. Opeifa, who is heading to Chapman University in California to pursue screenwriting, is just one of the many inspiring stories to emerge from this program.
Shelle Hamer, The Chicago Lighthouse's director of youth transition, has enjoyed a four-decade career equipping individuals with disabilities with tools and education to help them lead more independent lives. Hamer sees the tool of photography as having a real benefit for people with vision loss, from both the artistic side and the functional.
The program focuses on teaching technical photography, coding, and career-readiness skills. Lance Gladney, a participant in the program, is passionate about pursuing a career in art and hopes to produce his own anime franchise. John Johnson, participating in the program for a second year, is interested in electrical engineering or game design. Alaula 'Aihua' Sprecher is considering colleges where she can study computer science, physics, and astronomy.
The Photography for All program aims to support youth in their quest to be independent and instill in them the confidence to take their future into their own hands. Over 200 students have experienced opportunities in photography, videography, game design, coding, app development, augmented reality, and more through Apple-supported programs this summer.
For Opeifa, the training on the accessibility features available on iPhone and iPad has given her the confidence to navigate the city and feel independent in traveling around unfamiliar areas on her own. The program has not only nurtured creative talents but also empowered its participants with the skills and confidence to navigate their lives with greater independence.
