Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind

Seabeck Retreat 2008

Information & Qualifications for Volunteers

DEAF-BLIND CAMPERS SELECTION PROCESS

• The number of Deaf-Blind people we accept depends on the number of qualified volunteer-interpreters that apply and are accepted. We don't know how many Deaf-Blind people we can accept until we know how many qualified volunteer-interpreters we have. We usually know this by the mid-June.
• Our Retreat includes Deaf-Blind people with a variety of backgrounds, languages and communication styles.
  • Examples: DB from Seattle, as well as other states and countries. DB who use ASL, PSE, gestures, tactile, speech with FM system, or other equipment (typing) to communicate. DB who grew up with different life experiences.
• Safety issues are our primary concern. People who are considered a threat to others are not eligible.
• The date an application is received is taken into consideration when selecting campers.

VOLUNTEER-INTERPRETER SELECTION PROCESS

• We look for qualified volunteer-interpreters. This means volunteer-interpreters need to have communication and guiding skills, as well as experience socializing with Deaf-Blind adults. We offer a review of sighted guide skills at the Retreat. If you have any questions about qualification or you are not sure, please contact the Lighthouse and ask for the coordinator of volunteer-interpreters for the Retreat.
  DBRetreat@seattlelh.org
  
  Sending us your application as soon as possible helps us so much with our planning and with knowing the number of DB people we can accept. If you send your application by April 30th your name will be put into a lottery to win a prize. The prize is two plane tickets to any place in the continental U.S. or the Caribbean. In order to be in the lottery for the plane tickets, you must mail your application by April 30th (postmarked.) After April 30th, 2005 we will still accept volunteers depending on our need and space availability.
• WE DO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS AFTER APRIL 30th!
• We are sending our volunteer-interpreter applications early this year and would like to get them back from you as soon as possible. We will review your application and if you are accepted we will notify you within three weeks of receiving it, so that you can make your plane reservations and vacation plans. In your acceptance letter will be all the necessary details about camp, including what to bring, dietary information, etc.
• There is NO COST for volunteer-interpreters.
• Remember, it is possible to earn RID CEU's for attending the retreat if you plan an independent study project related to camp. Contact RID for more information.
• Your employer may be willing to sponsor you to come to camp. The Lighthouse is willing to write a letter on your behalf. Contact the Lighthouse for more information.
• We do consider your application a serious commitment to attend. Cancellations cause HUGE problems for our planning process, and reduce the number of Deaf-Blind people who can attend.

DO NOT BUY YOUR PLANE, TRAIN AND BUS TICKETS UNTIL YOU RECEIVE YOUR ACCEPTANCE LETTER.

REGISTRATION/APPLICATION DEADLINE

• Please send application by April 30th (Postmarked). (Remember, sending your application by April 30th makes our preparations much easier, and you also have an opportunity to win a great prize.)
• After April 30th, we still accept volunteers depending on our need and space availability.
• There are no one-day or overnight-only spaces.

ACCEPTANCE

• Letters stating your acceptance status will be mailed within 3 weeks after we receive your application.
• Do NOT send a check or make your plane reservation until you get your confirmation letter!
• Letters of acceptance will include the following:
  Transportation Request Form
  Fee Form

WAITING LIST/NOT ELIGIBLE

• If you are qualified to attend, but all spaces have already been filled, we will put your name on a waiting list until a space is available. You will be notified by phone or email if you are accepted or not by July 23rd.
• If you are not eligible to attend this year, we encourage you to apply again next year. You may also want to inquire about visiting for one day.

Floyd Pitre Scholarship Fund

As many of you know, Floyd Pitre, one of our nation's Deaf-Blind leaders, loved the Seabeck Retreat so much that he chose it to be the place where he spent the last days of his life.

We were honored to have Floyd with us in 1994, and in loving memory of his wonderful spirit, we have established a scholarship fund in his name.

Donations that we receive for the scholarship fund will be used for financial assistance to Deaf-Blind who can not afford to attend the Retreat.

If you would like to donate to this fund, please make your check payable to "The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc." and write "For Floyd Pitre Fund" on the bottom of the check or on a separate note. All donations will be used for Retreat Scholarships.

Thank you for your support.

QUALIFICATIONS

Our major need for volunteers is for people who can work 1:1 with DB campers. We have very few other volunteer spaces for people who are leading activities, and providing set up activities.

We need people who have both signing experience AND experience working or socializing with Deaf-Blind people.

These are the skills that we prefer our volunteers have:

• 3 years of experience in American Sign language
• Ability to express yourself in ASL and understand others who use ASL
• Familiarity with using ASL in the following modes : visual, tactile, tracking, signing in a restricted field of vision *
• 1 year of social/work experience with DB people Examples of experience that we would accept:
  • SSP with DB person at home, shopping etc
  • SSP at WSDBC meetings
  • interpreting
  • teaching/training
  • SSP at AADB or Oregon DB Camps
  • Satisfactory completion of DB Interpreting class at SCCC
• references from DB community (at least 2 references should be from DB people, the other reference could be from an Interpreter Training Program, DB program or agency, SSP coordinator, etc)
• Ability to provide sighted-guide.*
• Positive, respectful attitude
• For people working with developmentally-disabled deaf-blind people, we also require a background check.

Exceptions to these qualifications may be made by the Retreat Coordinator depending on the communication needs of specific campers who apply.

If you feel you "almost-but-not - quite" meet these qualifications and would like to volunteer at the Retreat, please give us a call and we can discuss it.

Internships / Training Positions

We may be able to accept interns or others (usually LH staff) who are interested in learning more about deaf-blindness. Our ability to accept people in training positions depends:

1. on the number of qualified volunteers we have who are able to provide guidance and support.
2. our having duties for these people to do

(The Lighthouse can provide training in these areas if you are interested)

If you would like to receive a Retreat application you have three options please leave a message requesting an application with the receptionist at The Lighthouse PHONE number below, email to: DBRetreat@seattlelh.org or PRINT Application