Horizons
The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
Spring 2016 • Volume 16, No. 2
Jobs. Independence. Empowerment.
Our Mission: To create and enhance opportunities for independence and self-sufficiency for people who are blind, DeafBlind, and blind with other disabilities.
Visit our website at and stay in the loop on Lighthouse news and upcoming events!
Springing into Transitions
Photo with caption: President and Interim CEO Harry Egler
On May 2nd, 2016, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. welcomed a familiar leader: President and Interim CEO Harry Egler.
Harry joins the Lighthouse at a crucial time; he will embark on the journey to find the next President and CEO while working to sustain the phenomenal growth the organization has experienced over the last decade.
Having joined the Board of Trustees in 2006, Harry is not new to the Lighthouse family. After an inspiring tour that year, he has been involved ever since.
“The honor is all mine. Getting to know the employees and seeing our mission every day is inspiring,” says Harry when asked about his new role. “The transition to this new position makes me happy. We are making a difference in peoples’ lives and I get to be part of that,” he notes.
He picks up the reigns at a pivotal point in the history of the Lighthouse; a task he doesn’t take lightly. “I am learning everyday about the opportunities that the Lighthouse has and the complexities that go into making this organization the success that it is.”
Over the next twelve months he will not only lead the organization through a nationwide search for a new leader who is blind, but also guide the organization during our expansion into South Carolina.
“It has been 25 years since there has been an organization like the Lighthouse in South Carolina. It is a huge opportunity for us to serve a community that is in need of job opportunities for people who are blind.”
Harry joined the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT) at the Lighthouse on February 29th to overlap with Kirk Adams during the transition. When asked what his observations were during his first month he remarked, “The passion and dedication by employees in every department of the Lighthouse, whether in Operations, or in the Employee & Community Services Department, is incredible.”
Thank you for supporting the 2016 Redefining Vision Luncheon!
(Graphic showing logos of Luncheon sponsors)
With the support of generous sponsors, community members, and Lighthouse supporters this year’s Redefining Vision Luncheon raised over $106,000 for Lighthouse programs and services. Thank you for your consistent support of jobs, independence, and empowerment.
Essendant
Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
The Boeing Company
The BoxMaker
Badgley Phelps
Alliant
Pepsi
US Bank
Amber Janitorial
Lane Powell
Swifty Printing
Fidelity Investments
In Loving Memory of Board of Trustee Member Jens Jorgensen
Photo with caption: Jens Jorgensen
July 2nd, 1936 – March 13th, 2016
We are deeply saddened about the recent passing of longtime Board of Trustee member Jens Jorgensen. Jens was a dynamic and passionate community leader who served on our Board for thirteen years in a variety of capacities. In his professional life he was an admired Professor of Engineering at the University of Washington. His outstanding contributions to his field were recognized in 2006 by the National Academy of Engineering. In his personal life he was a beloved father, grandfather, and husband of Glenda Jorgensen. Jens was an avid skier, and actually served as an interpreter at the 1960 Winter Olympics. The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. wishes to extend our deepest condolences to the Jorgensen family. He will be deeply missed. We value the time we had with him and the impact he made on so many in our community as an educator and community leader.
Thank you Employees Community Fund of Boeing Puget Sound!
Photos with caption: Lighthouse employees riding and standing outside of the new van provided by a grant from the Employees Community Fund of Boeing Puget Sound.
In January, the Lighthouse was fortunate to receive a generous grant from the Employees Community Fund of Boeing Puget Sound to purchase a new van for our Orientation and Mobility (O&M) program. The new van will benefit more than 175 individuals who are blind or DeafBlind who will receive services through the O&M program this year. Thanks to Boeing employees who contribute to this fund, O&M Specialists at the Lighthouse are able to continue meeting the basic needs of employees who are blind and DeafBlind. This valuable training increases opportunities for new jobs, upward mobility within the workplace, independence within the community, and self-sufficiency.
O&M Training is a critical support service for Lighthouse employees who are blind, DeafBlind, and blind with other disabilities. O&M Training is integral to the success of each employee, whether they are working in our canteen production line or in our machine shop. Blind and visually impaired employees must be able to access their workspace, meeting spaces, computer and training labs, emergency evacuation routes, and safely navigate each area of the building. Individuals must also learn how to safely travel to and from the Lighthouse, learning how to access and effectively use the ever-changing transportation landscape. O&M skills instruction includes bus travel, route planning, assistive technology assessment, safety techniques for low-vision travelers, relocation and route planning for new community members, and supplemental training for guide-dog users.
The Employees Community Fund of Boeing Puget Sound, known as ECF, is an employee-owned and managed charitable giving program. Since 1951, generous Boeing employees have contributed over six hundred million dollars to Puget Sound nonprofits. ECF grants enable local Health & Human Service agencies to purchase much-needed equipment, renovate their facilities, and build new construction that directly benefit their clients. Over the years, the Employees Community Fund has funded over $266,000 in direct grants to the Lighthouse. Thanks to each and every one of you for making a difference in the lives of people who are blind, DeafBlind, and blind with other disabilities!
Upcoming Events
Inland Northwest Lighthouse (INL) Food Truck Rally
Thursday, June 2nd from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Inland Northwest Lighthouse
6405 North Addison Street, Spokane, WA 99208
The event will include four different food trucks, a raffle, beer garden, tours of the INL facility, O&M and assistive technology demonstrations, and much more. For more information about the INL Food Truck Rally please contact Shawn Dobbs at (509) 487-0405 ext. 1422, or via email at .
Redefining Vision Summer Garden Party
Thursday, August 18th from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Ethel L. Dupar’s Fragrant Garden at
The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
2501 S Plum Street, Seattle, WA 98144
For more information, please contact Cindy Van Winkle at (206) 436-2264 or via email at .
(Graphic of GiveBIG logo by the Seattle Foundation)
Thank you tremendously for making a big impact by providing big opportunities for people who are blind, DeafBlind, and blind with other disabilities during GiveBIG.
Lighthouse Tours
We offer informative tours of our facilities and offices for guests to better understand how the Lighthouse creates and enhances opportunities for independence and self-sufficiency. The largest employer of people who are blind on the West Coast, we provide skills training and supports for people who are blind, DeafBind, and blind with other disabilities. Tours are a great opportunity for employers, financial supporters, community members, vendors, and customers to experience first-hand what we do at The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
To schedule a tour, please contact our Contact Center at , or by phone at (800) 799-0402, and press “0.” For further information, please contact our Development Assistant, Molly McLachlan via email at , or by phone (206) 436-2253.
We hope to see you soon!
HB 2398 Creates Opportunities for People Who are Blind
Photo with caption: Washington State Governor Jay Inslee (center) signing House Bill No. 2398 with Representatives Jeff Holy and Marcus Riccelli (left), and Lighthouse staff Shawn Dobbs and Paula Hoffman (right).
Several years ago, a law was passed in the State of Washington mandating that the State purchase products and services from non-profit organizations employing people who are blind. This piece of legislation was buried in pages of procurement law, and as a result, this law went unnoticed. In the fall of 2014, Government Relations staff from the Lighthouse met with state legislators from Spokane to explore ways to get the state to begin purchasing Lighthouse products and services.
This past August, Production Workers from our Spokane facility and Lighthouse Government Relations staff met with legislators in Spokane. Our representatives agreed to pursue a legislative amendment that would make the purchasing mandate more visible to state procurement staff. House Bill 2398 was introduced in the House of Representatives at the beginning of this year’s legislative session by Rep. Jeff Holy with support from Rep. Marcus Riccelli and others. Paula Hoffman, Vice President of Government Relations, and Shawn Dobbs, Development and Public Relations Director, traveled to Olympia to testify before House and Senate Committees in January. The bill unanimously passed both the House and Senate and was signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee on March 29, 2016.
To learn more about the journey of House Bill 2398 through the legislative process and to read the full text of the bill, visit:
(Photo of Lighthouse O&M Specialist Erin Fitzpatrick working with a Lighthouse employee outside of the Seattle facility)
Your $75 gift will result in one hour of O&M training for a person who is blind to gain more independence.
(Image of INL Food Truck Rally poster graphic)
Save the date for June 2nd as we celebrate our first Inland Northwest Lighthouse (INL) Food Truck Rally in Spokane, WA! Visit for more information and to RSVP.
How far would you travel to find employment?
Photo with caption: Production Worker Erik Heil
Meet Erik Heil, originally from Brooklyn, NY, who took the bus from Tennessee for the chance to get a job at the Lighthouse. Thanks to the community supporting our programs and services, we have been able to expand rapidly in the past few years and have many positions to be filled here at our Seattle facility. After three days of traveling across the country, Erik was hired on the spot.
December 6th, 2015 was Erik’s first day at a full-time job in his entire life. Transitioning to life in the Seattle area comes with a lot of challenges for Erik. “I can get 99% of the way to my apartment, but there’s a section of sidewalk that is missing. At one point I have to walk on the shoulder of the road.”
Erik is making use of the Orientation and Mobility program here at the Lighthouse to help him get used to his surroundings, but the demand for those services is currently very high. With your contribution today, you help can expand that program and provide Erik with even more support than he currently has.
Join us in welcoming Erik to the Lighthouse family and the Seattle area. Thank you for giving him the opportunity and the supports necessary for him to thrive in his job.
Welcome our new O&M Specialist Nancy Jackman!
Photo with caption: O&M Specialist Nancy Jackman
Thanks to community support of our programs and services, we have been able to put most of our business revenue into providing more jobs. With more jobs comes the need for more services. Meet our new O&M Specialist, Nancy Jackman.
“People learn in unique ways. I like the one-on-one instruction of O&M and being able to tailor lessons to each individuals’ needs,” says Nancy. “As a person with low vision due to albinism, I myself have had to self-advocate for the supports I need to fully participate in education.”
Nancy enjoys time spent in the field collaborating and interacting with people. Exploring and navigating new routes can be challenging and is exciting to Nancy. “It’s an honor to witness people gain the confidence to solve problems.”
Welcome Nancy!