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The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.

General Information

The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
2501 S Plum St
Seattle, WA 98144
206-322-4200
contactcenter@LHBlind.org
https://lhblind.org/

Locations

  • 6405 N. Addison Street
    Spokane, WA 99208
  • 230 Deming Way
    Summerville, SC 29483

Brief Description

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

Services Offered

  • Employment/Job Training
    • Offers vocational evaluation, work-related counseling, competitive placement services, supported employment services, specialized support services for deaf-blind persons, including interpreting department. Provides on-the-job training, employment in manufacturing company, and prevocational training for people who are developmentally disabled.

  • Professional Training
    • Offers internship/fieldwork placement in orientation and mobility, interpreter training, in-service training when requested by schools, institutions, hospitals, group homes and other facilities.

  • Recreation Services
    • Annual DeafBlind Retreat in Seabeck, WA. A week long retreat for DeafBlind individuals. Attendees travel from across the country and the world to participate! Volunteer interpreters provide visual information, sighted guide and interpreting to support and create an environment of complete accessibility. Retreat activities may include: water activities (such as boating, tubing, swimming), tandem biking, workshops, cultural presentations, technology demonstrations, arts and crafts, and more!

  • Daily Living Skills/Independent Living Skills Training
    • Provides training in independent living skills.

  • Travel/Orientation and Mobility
    • Orientation and Mobility (O&M) instructors assist individuals who are blind and DeafBlind in learning skills to travel independently and safely. Skills instruction includes white cane travel, electronic travel aid training, bus travel, route planning, assistive technology assessment, safety techniques for low-vision travelers, relocation and route planning for new community members, and supplemental training for guide-dog users.

  • Low Vision Services
    • Lighthouse Low Vision Services provides resources and information to individuals affected by vision loss. Examples include referral to local support groups, government based programs & services, and educational brochures. We are happy to offer presentations to local community members and agencies. The Lighthouse Low Vision Clinic offers functional vision assessments by a residency trained optometrist who will work with you to maximize your vision and function to perform daily living tasks. A low vision therapist will work with you to ensure you are comfortable and confident with the prescribed aid and technique.

  • Computer Training/Assistive Technology
    • The Technology Training Center provides instruction in assistive and mainstream technologies to DeafBlind employees and community members. We provide comprehensive training and support in computers, mobile computing, and related technologies. The course of study is highly individualized, and emphasizes computer and assistive technology tools to be used in the workplace and for community and informational access. Class structures are primarily 1:1 instructor led, with occasional group classes.

  • Braille and Reading Instruction
    • The Lighthouse Braille Literacy Program instructor meets with students once a week, expecting intense personal study of braille from the students. The Seattle Lighthouse also has a Braille Blazers Reading Club, that gathers weekly to read articles on current events in braille. n addition to the core training curriculum, the Seattle facility features the Leonard & May Nelson Braille Reading Library (BRL). This library consists of a classroom and braille library reading room.

  • Community Outreach Programs
    • DeafBlind Community Classes provide a forum giving members of the DeafBlind community access to information in an accessible setting. DeafBlind participants have opportunities to connect with others in the community, learn leadership and presentation skills, get information on a wide range of subjects and support American Sign Language Interpreters and Support Service Providers to develop skills working with DeafBlind individuals.

  • Library Services
    • Leonard & May Nelson Braille Reading Library (BRL). This library consists of a classroom and braille library reading room. The library is stocked with an abundance of braille books and magazines, available for braille learners to read and study on-site or check-out to take home. The library is used for braille reading and practice before and after work, during breaks and during paid training time for practice. Staff frequently assess the braille reading library and make sure employees are aware of its location and potential benefits. Staff maintains reading material and makes sure material is current and relevant. Material is updated based on publication and varies in degree of subject matter and range in difficulty.

  • Computer Training/Assistive Technology
    • The Computer Training Program (CTP) exists to increase and support the independence, self-sufficiency, and upward mobility of adults who are blind and low vision in the workplace through appropriate training and access to computer technology. Computer training instructors provide individualized training to employees who are blind and visually impaired to support opportunities for upward mobility in the workplace, increased personal independence, and increased technological literacy. Areas of concentration include keyboarding, computer programs, email, the Internet, and the technology that makes computers accessible to blind users. These include JAWS for Windows screen reading software, ZoomText screen enlargement software and Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Outlook, Excel and Internet Explorer. CTP course terms are nine weeks, and can be extended if it is determined necessary by the student and instructor. The Lighthouse encourages employees to take advantage of trainings available in the CTP, with employees able to engage in training three hours a week during paid work time. CTP courses are provided to employees free-of-charge.