Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind was established to create and enhance opportunities for independence and self-sufficiency of people who are blind, deaf-blind and blind with other disabilities. The Lighthouse stands out as one of Seattle's oldest nonprofit organizations, with more than 85 years of continuous service to blind people in its community. The Lighthouse joined a growing movement to provide specialized professional vocational rehabilitation services to blind people. Beginning with one psychiatric social worker, rehabilitation services expanded over time to include: vocational testing, counseling, orientation and mobility training with white cane or guide dog, independent living skills, technical support, in-house sign language interpreting, recreational activities, job training, Braille classes, sign language instruction and information and referral services. In 1969, the Lighthouse hired its first three Deaf-Blind employees. More deaf-blind people seeking employment soon followed, and the Lighthouse became an integral part of the growing Seattle area deaf-blind community.