Summer 2003

Deaf-Blind Community Class Explores the World of Chocolate

Deaf-Blind Lighthouse employee Debbie Sommer dips a luscious strawberry into liquid chocolate during community class

Black cherry. Raspberry. Blackberry, mint and orange. Just a few flavors of the Seattle Chocolate Company’s famous truffles. Deaf-Blind community members experienced all of these flavors and more at one of the Seattle Lighthouse’s recent Deaf-Blind community classes.

“I was so impressed by the enthusiasm and care that went into preparing and ensuring communication,” says Seattle Chocolate Company’s Marna Reinhardt, after making her presentation to the class. “When you see the respect that is shown between people in the Deaf-Blind community and their interpreters, it just commands respect from the non-disabled person who is interacting.”

In preparation for her presentation, Marna met with Jackie Engler-Morris, Deaf-Blind Community Class Assistant. Jackie, Deaf-Blind due to Usher Syndrome, communicated with Marna using an American Sign Language interpreter and tactile sign language. “I really enjoyed the process and learning from Jackie,” Marna reports. “At our preliminary meeting I learned about Deaf-Blind culture, how the Deaf-Blind community works in relationshipto the Lighthouse and how Deaf-Blind people learn and get information. Jackie was very thorough, and wanted to work through every detail to make sure everyone was on the same page. It was very helpful to me as a presenter to have that background. I also learned about how to pace my presentation and that most people would have two interpreters that switch off, and I would need to pause for those interpreter switches.”

Marna began her presentation by passing around a cupful of the cacao beans from which chocolate is made. She then outlined the process, from harvesting beans to the finished product. “I had also asked in that first meeting with Jackie how to relate to people. I usually just go right up to someone and shake hands. How could I express that I was there and glad to see them? Jackie reminded me that everyone likes hugs! Touching is very important in the Deaf-Blind community. A touch on the arm or shoulder can let someone know you are there and are greeting them.”

As her presentation continued, Marna handed out a number of metal chocolate molds, some from her antique collection, so that attendees could feel the huge variety of shapes that chocolates are molded into. “I wanted to incorporate the use of all of the senses I could in my presentation,” she adds.“I let everyone know that being a chocolatier is a profession and a career path you can choose, just like being a doctor, lawyer or engineer. At the end, each person ate a huge strawberry they had dipped into liquid chocolate. It was a tiny moment of experience to see what it’s like to be a chocolatier.”

Marna was especially impressed with the interpreting process. “I don’t sign, but I was truly amazed by the depth of sign language. It was so powerful. I was stunned by the shades of meaning that came through the interpreting process. During my presentation, I kept wondering if I was getting through, if the information was making sense. When the time came for questions from the audience, the incredible intelligence of the people and effectiveness of the sign language interpreting shone through. I was blown away.”

According to Marna, she had as much fun talking about chocolate as her audience did sampling it. “I really had a blast,” she concludes. “I had a whole new world opened up to me. I learned that there is a community of support in Seattle so that Deaf-Blind people can be part of everyday society. Like everyone else, they love chocolate! It was not a matter of limitations but just the logistics of how I would communicate information.”

For more information about the Lighthouse’s Deaf-Blind Community Class, please go to www.deafblindlh.org. For more information about the Seattle Chocolate Company and their famous truffles, visit www.seattlechocolate.com.

Horizons Main Page | Home