Winter 2006

Terry Dockter

“I wear several hats here. I have several roles,” says Terry Dockter. “I’m a trainer for the Deaf-Blind program -- I work on the machine shop floor here. I’m also an interpreter here and I’m a consultant for communication issues between hearing employees and Deaf-Blind employees. I break down communication barriers.”

Terry, whose family has been Deaf for several generations, first encountered deaf-blindness during his childhood. “My uncle’s wife has Usher’s syndrome. She became fully blind in her 70s, so she had usable vision for a long time. My mom explained that she had Usher’s and she’d instruct me to sign in a smaller signing space so that my aunt could see my signs in her tunnel vision.”

At the Washington State School for the Deaf, Terry met more people with Usher’s syndrome. “As I recall, there were about 300 students in the residential program and ten of those students has Usher’s syndrome. That’s a pretty significant number of my classmates with Usher’s. Since I had been exposed to the correct method of communicating with my aunt, I was very comfortable with them. I think that in some ways that led me to work here.”

After studying chemistry at Gallaudet University, Terry relocated to Seattle to attend the School of Visual Concepts for two years. While living here, he discovered an affinity for advocacy work. “I was a starving artist at that time,” he recalls. “I realized that I’m a people person; I really liked working with people in different capacities.” Terry began advocating for Deaf people with developmental disabilities and Deaf clients of the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation as an on-the-job training provider. Eventually, he began work at the Lighthouse supporting Deaf-Blind employees.

“When I first joined the Lighthouse, it was as an advocate,” Terry explains. “That was back in ’96, ’97 -- so I have been here almost ten years. This job has really expanded to fit what the Lighthouse needs for Deaf-Blind employees.”

On a typical day, Terry will work one-on-one with employees to facilitate training, communication, and support. “I’ll meet the Deaf-Blind employees that are on the [machine shop] floor and just check in with them. I’ll go around to different employees and see what kind of support they need, what kind of jobs they are working on.”

He continues, “I also keep the communication flow going for Deaf-Blind employees here. They’re left out of the loop on some things with what’s going on in the machine shop as well with general information and world news. So I check in with people and make sure they are caught up to date with certain changes. I like to think of it like Johnny Appleseed -- you plant the seed and talk about the different stuff that’s going on so that then Deaf-Blind people know what’s going on. Then they can talk among themselves and get more information about changes coming in.”

Terry’s background gives him special insight into his work on breaking down communication barriers. “Since I grew up in Deaf schools where a lot of Deaf-Blind people grew up as well, I understand the cultural issues and can work as a mediator between hearing culture and Deaf-Blind people.” He observes, “I think there are a lot of hearing people who don’t see Deaf-Blind people’s potential...so I’m trying to work through that and show them that Deaf-Blind people do have potential.”

In his role at the Lighthouse, Terry brings a number of talents and skills to his work. “I’m a mechanic at heart. I love to do mechanical stuff. Anything man-made, I like to figure out how it works, take it apart and put it back together. That’s kind of my way of meditating and relaxing.” He adds, “At the same time, I couldn’t do that all the time. I love talking with people, communicating with them. ASL is a very visual language, which fits into the artistic part of my brain. It all comes together here at the Lighthouse. I use both the mechanical part of my mind and my communication skills.”

“Terry is an amazing communicator, a native ASL signer with finely tuned people skills.  He works well with everyone, maintains his professional boundaries while being close to us, fitting into many different teams here at the LH,” says Paula Hoffman, director of employee community services and government affairs

“He is also fluent in the language of machines which is invaluable here,” she adds. “Although the bulk of his time at the Lighthouse is involved in machine training, interpreting, and teaching ASL, he does much more.  He has taught work behaviors, has been a cultural consultant for employees and for staff, he is featured in our soon to be released Sign Language in the Lighthouse Machine Shop DVD, has mentored other Deaf and hearing interpreters and staff, and even brings his boat to the Seabeck Retreat where he is the ‘rescue boat’ for the jet ski. I treasure his input and feel the Lighthouse is really honored to have his involvement here.”

For Terry, one of the most significant aspects of his job is the example the Lighthouse provides for other communities. “The Lighthouse plays a major role as a model for Deaf-Blind people and Deaf people as well. Deaf people, sighted people, blind people, and Deaf-Blind people can work together given the proper tools.” He continues, “We offer a bit of understanding about the culture of deaf-blindness, the culture of Deaf people. I think there aren’t enough models of this sort in the community.”

“My hope and my dream is that it will continue until the end. I hope that it will grow and maintain the spirit of being this sort of respectful model for the United States and for the world. We’ve really got something here -- this is a gem,” he concludes.

Interpretation note: Terry’s comments were translated from American Sign Language to English by RID certified interpreters.

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