In 1983, Washington state developed a program for people with certain disabilities to live more independently than they would in institutions. An individualized plan was developed for each person. Two people who benefited from this were Kristina Lasicka and Karolann Elliott, both aged 22 and both deaf and partially blind. With the help of two assistants who knew sign language, they lived at Daybreak, an adult family home on Seattle’s Queen Anne Hill. During the day, they worked at Lighthouse for the Blind; at home, they fixed meals, washed dishes, and did general housekeeping.

In this image, taken in the Daybreak kitchen, Kristina (left) is washing dishes, assisted by Katherine Bell (2nd from left). On the right, Judy Warchol (2nd from right) communicates with Karolanne.

Caption information source: “Handicapped people get new options”, by Pete McConnell, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, December 24, 1984, page D2.