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. We are the foremost employer of Deaf-Blind people in the United States with a comprehensive Deaf-Blind program serving our employees and the larger Deaf-Blind community.

Independent Living Skills Training Statement of Purpose

-- to increase independence and self-sufficiency of Deaf-Blind adults and provide them with extended opportunities for connection and access through independent living skills training --

Our Commitment to the Deaf-Blind Community
All Deaf-Blind program services offer a safe, supportive, and respectful environment; linguistically and culturally appropriate services; and consumer involvement and input. Our goal is to ensure maximum respect, independence, choice, and control over matters impacting each participant.

Independent Living Skills Training Program and Services
The Independent Living Skills training program creates opportunities for Deaf-Blind people to establish or maintain independent lives through:

• Personal and home management techniques
• Communication support
• Use of community resources
• Community involvement
  

Individual classes and services include:

• Banking and ATM use
• Budgeting
• Home organization
• Cooking and kitchen organization
• Nutrition and meal planning
• Problem Solving
• Assertiveness
• Self-advocacy
• Communication skills
• Effective use of interpreters
• Assistive equipment
• Braille

Eligibility
Recipients of these services must be Deaf-Blind: legally blind and either Deaf, significantly hard of hearing, or late deafened. Services are open to all Deaf-Blind community members and are not limited to Seattle Lighthouse employees. Classes are usually one-to-one due to visual and communication needs.

Funding
The Independent Living Skill Training Program is funded through community support. We rely on financial contributions from local corporations, foundations, service organizations and individuals.

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. Participants do not pay tuition fees.

Information Contact
Nancy Sommer
Independent Living Skills Instructor
TTY: 206-436-2203
Email: nsommer@seattlelh.com
www.deafblindlh.org
www.seattlelighthouse.org

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