It is with hope and confidence that I will be passing the torch of Foundation Board presidency to longtime friend of the Lighthouse, Brad Wiens. I will be remaining on the board, and I am excited to see the fabulous work we have started continue to flourish under Brad’s leadership.
Not only is making high quality products for our customers paramount to our organization, but also our imperative to create diverse, sustainable, and meaningful employment opportunities for people who are blind, DeafBlind, and blind with other disabilities.
Our Low Vision Services program has been up and running for almost a year and a half, providing a variety of services that are available to the community.
Jane Elliott loves hot glazed donuts and helping people who are losing their vision adapt to a new normal.
In 2021, the Lighthouse will open the Coast Guard BSC in Seattle, WA and two new stores in coordination with General Services Administration to support the Navy in California. This growth marks a milestone for both the Lighthouse and NIB.
Mike Soriano found more than just a job when he began working at the AbilityOne Base Supply Center (BSC), he found hope.
When Governor Inslee initially made the “stay at home” order in March of 2020, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. moved swiftly to ensure the safety of all our employees in all our facilities across the U.S.
The DeafBlind program provided 843 hours of direct services in FY20, most of which occurred prior to the onset of the pandemic. The majority of those service hours consisted of American Sign Language (ASL) classes, taught by DeafBlind instructors to groups of Lighthouse employees in the workplace.
“Being blind has never stopped me from doing things that sighted people do,” said Karl Schaeffler, Set-Up Specialist at The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. Karl was elected as the 2020 Raymond. W. Haman Direct Employee of the Year.
As an advocate for people with disabilities throughout my entire life, I am excited to bring my passion and experience to the Lighthouse team.