News

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.

During FY2020, we added the Independent Living Program and Low Vision Clinic, each serving the broader low vision community, and those who are new to vision loss. 

Upward mobility is a key tenet in the Lighthouse mission, along with providing services such as computer technology training, orientation and mobility, braille instruction, and other courses, all to support employees in a successful career at the Lighthouse and beyond.

Despite all the difficulties and negative impacts caused by COVID-19, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. persevered and remained robust, focused, and ever more dedicated to its mission.