The Making of the DeafBlind Service Center: Seattle’s Trailblazer for Empowerment

By Beverly Aarons

By the 1990's, Seattle had made a name for itself as a deafblind Mecca by offering a level of community support and specialized services rarely found elsewhere in the country. And the founding of the DeafBlind Service Center (DBSC) in 1986 was critical to etching that narrative into the minds of many deafblind individuals around the country. DBSC not only provided direct services but became a model for how communities could empower deafblind individuals through advocacy, skills training, and innovative communication strategies. This holistic approach set a new standard for how cities could not only serve but also honor the agency of deafblind residents.

And because of the strong community and the plethora of services provided, for many deafblind people, moving to Seattle was a life-changing decision. Mark Landreneau, who relocated from Los Angeles, explained to the Seattle Times in 1992: "There are five times as many deafblind people in L.A. as there are in Seattle. But there are no services. If I'd picked any other city in any other state, I wouldn't have been able to grow in the ways I've been able to here."

Dan Mansfield, one of DBSC's founders, shared a similar sentiment. Born deaf, Mansfield was diagnosed with Usher syndrome as a child and began losing his sight in his 30s. In the early 1980s, he spent two months traveling by bus across the United States before ultimately deciding that Seattle-uniquely equipped to meet his evolving needs-would be his forever home. Mansfield would eventually go on to become the President of Washington State DeafBlind Citizens (WSDBC) and co-found the DeafBlind Service Center (DBSC) in Seattle with Don Meyer, Arlene Motulsky, and Theresa Smith.

The Making of the DeafBlind Service Center (DBSC)

The DeafBlind Service Center (DBSC) is committed to assisting deafblind people in reaching and maintaining their highest possible quality of life and degree of personal autonomy.

Founded in 1986 by a team of dedicated advocates, including Dan Mansfield, Don Meyer, Arlene Motulsky, and Theresa Smith, the DeafBlind Service Center (DBSC) was created to address the unique needs of Seattle's growing deafblind population. These founders envisioned an organization that would go beyond just providing services. They wanted DBSC to equip deafblind individuals with the skills and support necessary for them to live independently and advocate for themselves.

DBSC's mission focuses on helping deafblind people achieve the highest possible quality of life and personal autonomy. Through its programs, DBSC became a place where individuals could access resources tailored specifically to dual sensory loss-services that were scarce in most other cities. The center has offered everything from communication support and advocacy training to independent living skills and employment assistance.

Mansfield and the other founders recognized that deafblind individuals faced unique barriers that required specialized solutions. One of DBSC's early programs provided Support Service Providers (SSPs)-trained assistants who help deafblind individuals navigate daily activities, such as grocery shopping, attending appointments, and accessing public transportation. These SSPs became a critical resource for promoting independence, allowing deafblind people to move through the world with greater ease and dignity.

Angela Theriault, DeafBlind Service Center Executive Director, overviewing DBSC Progams and Services

DBSC also created programs to help deafblind people speak up for themselves and become community leaders. They championed programs that taught deafblind individuals how to advocate for their rights in settings like healthcare, employment, and public services. This emphasis on advocacy helped establish DBSC as a model for other cities, demonstrating that empowerment involves not just providing services, but equipping individuals to advocate for systemic change.

The organization's commitment to innovative communication strategies also set it apart. Recognizing that traditional visual-based American Sign Language (ASL) was not fully accessible to those with limited or no vision, DBSC played a significant role in fostering the pro-tactile movement. This tactile communication method, which uses touch to convey messages, allowed deafblind individuals to communicate more freely and directly, creating a stronger sense of independence and social connection within the community.

As the 1990s continued, DBSC's impact was felt not only in Seattle but also nationally, as other cities looked to Seattle as a model for building accessible, safe spaces for deafblind residents. For many in the deafblind community, DBSC became a place of growth, learning, and connection-a true trailblazer in both advocacy and service provision.

Broader Disability Rights Milestones

The establishment of DBSC coincided with significant victories in disability rights advocacy. In 1987, for example, a landmark ruling overturned Southwest Airlines' discriminatory policy of barring deafblind individuals from flying alone. This change reflected a broader shift in public attitudes toward inclusivity and was a clear win for the disability rights movement, aligning with DBSC's mission to promote independence and autonomy​.

In addition to tackling barriers to transportation, DBSC's founders advocated for accessible technology and healthcare. Their efforts mirrored the national Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, which prohibited discrimination based on disability and pushed for greater accessibility in public spaces, transportation, and employment.

Adapting to Technological Advances

DBSC's commitment to innovation has been a constant throughout its history. The center advocates for deafblind individuals right to communicate in the mode they prefer, whether it's Braille, close vision, tactile sign language, communication cards, or by using groundbreaking devices such as the DeafBlind Communicator which enables direct communication through tactile Braille and allows spontaneous conversations without interpreters.

DBSC has also embraced new technologies throughout the years like speech-to-text software and real-time captioning tools to ensure that communication remains fluid and accessible. In the 1990's the DeafBlind Service Center helped to develop a deck of cards printed with numbers in large type and Braille so that deafblind people could easily navigate the city on Seattle's public buses.

The center's willingness to adapt and innovate has ensured its continued relevance and impact, empowering Seattle's deafblind community to lead more independent lives.

Looking Ahead: DBSC's Enduring Legacy

As the center continues to serve Seattle's deafblind community, it stands as a testament to the power of grassroots advocacy, community collaboration, and persistent innovation. From its early days of fighting for basic services to its current role in advancing communication technology, DBSC exemplifies the ongoing journey toward greater inclusion and accessibility.

Today, DBSC remains dedicated to its founding principles: empowering deafblind individuals to advocate for themselves and to take active roles in shaping the services they rely on. As Seattle's deafblind community grows, so too does the need for sustained advocacy, improved services, and expanded opportunities. DBSC's legacy reminds us that change is not only possible but necessary.

Citation List

• "A Sense of Themselves: A Photographic Portrait of Seattle's Deaf-Blind Community." The Seattle Times, 27 June 1999, p. L1.
• "Board Seeks Part of Surplus for Project to Help Deaf-Blind." Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 3 June 1986, p. A10.
• "Deaf-Blind People Make Seattle Into a Safe Haven: Lighthouse Facility Casts New Light on Life." Los Angeles Times, 1992.
• "Language Emergence in the Seattle DeafBlind Community." Seattle DeafBlind Service Center, 2009, pp. 5-12.
• "Neglected Poor." Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 7 May 1986, p. A13.
• "People." The Seattle Times, 12 Nov. 1987, p. A3.
• "Seattle Regarded as Most-Livable City Among DeafBlind People." The Seattle Times, 23 Aug. 1992, p. B1.
• "The Freedom to Connect." The Seattle Times, 12 Aug. 2009, p. B1.
• "Unlearn Ableism with These 4 Talking Books." The Seattle Times, 10 Apr. 2022, p. E9.
• "Washington State DeafBlind Citizens."

"DeafBlind Service Center" https://seattledbsc.org.

The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Historic Preservation staff have been supporting a team of researchers and advisors to gather information on the history of disability activism in Seattle for a historic context study. The project is designed to be an inclusive and intersectional exploration of disability activism in the city. We are working directly with the disability community to share stories and experiences that highlight advocacy efforts for equitable access and disability justice.

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