The Seattle Lighthouse is a private, not-for-profit agency providing employment, support, and training opportunities for people who are blind, Deaf-Blind, and blind with other disabilities. The Lighthouse has provided employment and support to blind people in our community since 1918.

Our philosophy maintains that each employee be provided with whatever supports are necessary for success in the workplace. Supports include an in-house sign language interpreting department to ensure effective communication for Deaf-Blind employees, staff mobility instructors to teach independent travel with a white cane or dog guide, and over 100 computer workstations adapted for use by visually impaired individuals.

Our Mission

-- to create and enhance opportunities for independence and self-sufficiency of people who are blind, Deaf-Blind, and blind with other disabilities --

Creating and Enhancing Opportunities
The Seattle Lighthouse currently employs over 300 individuals, more than 200 of whom are blind, Deaf-Blind, or blind with other disabilities. In addition to offering employment opportunities, the Lighthouse provides a wide range of programs and services for visually impaired employees and blind people in the larger community. These include vocational computer training programs for blind adults and one-on-one computer classes for Deaf-Blind people.

We are a successful manufacturing organization that is committed to making jobs accessible to blind individuals. Our manufacturing operations center on making quality products for the federal government and The Boeing Company.

We also have outreach and educational programs for the community at large, including our nationally acclaimed Deaf-Blind retreats and community classes as well as a local school program to educate elementary school students about blindness and deaf-blindness.

Programs and Services

Employment Opportunities: The Seattle Lighthouse currently employs over 200 individuals who are blind, Deaf-Blind, and blind with other disabilities throughout the organization. Employment opportunities at the Lighthouse include positions in production, customer service, machine set-up and operation, computer instruction, information technology, program management, administration, departmental supervision, and human resources.

Supported Employment Program: The Lighthouse employs approximately 25 blind and Deaf-Blind adults with developmental disabilities through our Supported Employment Program. Supported employees are assigned a job coach who provides instruction, guidance, and support to help them succeed in their positions.

Orientation and Mobility Training: Orientation and Mobility (O & M) instructors assist blind and Deaf-Blind clients in learning skills to travel independently and safely. Skills instruction includes white cane travel, bus and street route planning, electronic travel aid training, and supplemental guide dog training.

Computer Training Program: The Seattle Lighthouse offers distance learning training in computers and assistive technology skills. Students learn to use assistive technology in conjunction with computer programs such as the Microsoft office suite, email, and the internet for vocational skills.

Housing Support: We offer support to blind and Deaf-Blind employees in identifying and obtaining appropriate housing. Support staff works with employees to find housing that best meets each individual’s needs.

Deaf-Blind Technology Training Center: Our Technology Training Center (TTC) serves the Deaf-Blind community in building skills through the use of computer and assistive technology. The TTC offers training on up-to-date assistive technologies for both work and independent living.

Deaf-Blind Retreat: Our week-long Annual Deaf-Blind Retreat is an opportunity for Deaf-Blind people from throughout the United States to come together and learn from one another. The retreat offers an array of activities, workshops, resources, and information in a completely accessible environment.

Deaf-Blind Community Classes: Deaf-Blind community classes provide a forum giving members of the Deaf-Blind community access to basic information unavailable in their everyday lives. Students connect with each other, learn leadership and presentation skills, explore a wide range of subjects, and help American Sign Language interpreters develop Deaf-Blind interpreting skills.

Deaf-Blind Independent Living Skills Training and Education: These classes create opportunities for Deaf-Blind people to establish and maintain independent lives through personal and home management techniques, communication support, and use of community services.

Funding
The majority of Seattle Lighthouse operations are self-funded through manufacturing and sales of products to customers including The Boeing Company and the federal government. However, the Lighthouse bears significant additional costs to our operations including training programs, sign language interpreters, and expensive assistive computer equipment. We rely on funding from community and government sources to support our programs and services.

Community support includes financial contributions from local corporations, foundations, service organizations, and individuals. This additional funding is critical to preserving and expanding existing programs and creating new opportunities for the people we serve.

All community support for Lighthouse programs is channeled through the Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind Foundation, whose sole purpose is to gather community support for fulfillment of the Seattle Lighthouse mission.

Contact Information
Kirk Adams
President
Voice: (206) 436-2110
TTY: (206) 324-1388
Email: kadams@seattlelh.org
www.seattlelighthouse.org