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.

Technology Training Center Statement of Purpose

-- to increase independence and self-sufficiency of Deaf-Blind adults through appropriate training and access to computer technology --

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.

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

• Evaluation of individual needs for assistive technology adjustments and improvements
• Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express for email communication
• Microsoft Word for word processing of professional and personal documents
• Microsoft Access for creating and managing information databases
• Microsoft Excel for spreadsheet use
• Windows Explorer for Web browsing, locating information on the Internet, and on-line services
• JAWS (Job Access with Speech) screen-reading program
• Screen-magnification software: Zoomtext and Magic
• Refreshable Braille displays: BrailleStar, PowerBraille 40, and PowerBraille 80
• Tiger Braille embosser
• BrailleNote note-taker
• Supernova software for BrailleNote
• Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTVs)
• Scanning equipment
• General computer use
• Global Positioning Software (GPS) training
• Internet with JAWS

Eligibility
Participants must be Deaf-Blind: legally blind and either Deaf, significantly hard of hearing, or late deafened. Services are open to all community members and are not limited to Seattle Lighthouse employees. Many classes range from twelve to sixteen weeks in length.

Class availability is limited. We encourage applicants to contact the program as early as possible. Students must have prerequisite skills necessary for requested training. For example, to enroll in training on how to use a PowerBraille display, a student must be a competent Braille reader.

Funding
Initially, the TTC was funded primarily through federal and state funds. Currently, we rely on community support for TTC funding needs. Community support includes 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. Participation in TTC is free of charge for participants.

Contact Information
Amy Koehl
ECS Manager, Training & Employee Support
Voice: (206) 436-2106
TTY: (206) 324-1388
Email: akoehl@seattlelh.org
www.deafblindlh.org
www.seattlelighthouse.org

Back to About the Seattle Lighthouse