Spring 2010 Generations The Hadley School for the Blind – est. 1920 Through the generosity of others, building on the past, bringing life-changing services to future generations Hadley Celebrates 90 Years: 1920 - 2010 A Letter from the President On the bar at Charlie Beinlich’s Food and Tap, in Northbrook, Ill., sits a small handmade red and green wooden schoolhouse with “Hadley School for the Blind” painted on it. What is most remarkable is that this “bank” has been prominently displayed at Beinlich’s for more than 50 years, steadily generating thousands in donations for our school. Also remarkable is that Hadley is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. In 1920, William Hadley and his friend and neighbor, Dr. E.V.L Brown, had a vision—to teach “braille by mail” so that blind individuals could experience the joy of literacy. Today, that vision has become a reality. From their first student, a Kansas homemaker, to the 10,000 students we serve each year in more than 100 countries, Hadley is now the leading educator of braille and the largest provider of distance education for people who are blind or visually impaired, their family members and blindness service providers around the globe. With the generosity of donors like the Beinlich family and their customers, as well as our Trustees, Woman’s Board, foundations and corporations, Hadley has stayed true to the vision of its founders while expanding programs to the meet the needs of our students. For example, we are now offering 30 online courses and 100+ courses in braille or audio formats, and these numbers are on the rise. Hadley continues to offer “Introduction to Braille” and “Contracted Braille” courses at no cost to sighted professionals, thanks to a recent federal braille grant. In addition, we are embarking on new curriculum, such as our Executive Leadership Institute, for emerging blind leaders, and we are exploring innovative partnerships with other organizations serving individuals who are blind to soon offer braille music. In this issue of Generations, you will learn about the latest “Hadley Happenings” and enjoy some reflections from colleagues and friends who have supported our school along the way. From the little wooden schoolhouse, to having the world as our campus, we are proud of our extraordinary accomplishments over the last 90 years and hope you are, too. We thank you and our friends at Beinlich’s for your ongoing support. Regards, Charles E. Young, President As a Winnetka resident of 14 years, I had long been aware of Hadley and its importance. I began purchasing the school’s holiday cards many years ago. When an opportunity to join the board was presented to me, it prompted me to do further research into the school. I was very impressed with what I learned. Since joining the board my respect has only grown for the school’s mission, its faculty, staff and especially the students. —Board Chairman Terry Faulk Hadley is a unique institution with a dedicated faculty and staff. I’ve witnessed firsthand the impact the school has had on the lives of visually impaired individuals and their families. The need for Hadley’s services is increasing, so it’s important that we continue to support the school through annual giving. —Woman’s Board President Lynne Montgomery Donor Spotlight Charlie Beinlich’s: Serving up a generous portion of support When Charlie Beinlich’s Food and Tap opened for business in Northbrook, Ill., in October 1950, it was all about the bar. Construction crews building the Edens Expressway would stop by as early as 8 a.m., and the locals found a new neighborhood spot to gather for drinks with friends. A short-order cook in the Army during World War II, Charlie soon realized he should be offering some food with that beer. Six years later, he was serving up 60 cent hamburgers and 50 cent chili made by his wife, Eleanor, each morning (they use that same recipe today). Charlie’s granddaughter, Linda Rainey, who now owns the business with her husband, Tom, says Charlie feared two things in life: snakes, and losing his sight. And so, in September 1954, the first “Hadley House” appeared on the bar. Bright red and green, with a side slit for change, the hard-to-miss houses have been a fixture in the tavern for 56 years. According to Linda and Tom, when the bar first opened, the “language” in the place was so bad that Charlie insisted anyone who swore had to put some change in the “blind box.” He would then match the amount from the register. Over the years, any change dropped onto the floor was promptly added to the Hadley House as well. Sometimes small bets lost over football games would end up in the Hadley House, too. Linda remembers her grandfather letting her keep any coins she found while helping her grandparents clean the bar on weekends. As she got older, she would add some of her findings to the Hadley House, realizing the importance of giving back to her community. Over the years, the houses have seen some wear and tear, so the family has patched them with glue, colored in paint chips and even taped on lettering that was falling off in an attempt to keep the original boxes intact. Linda says they’re a staple in the tavern’s history and “as much a part of the place as the knotty pine walls.” Designed by former Hadley director Dorrance Nygaard, the wooden Hadley House was actually conceived by Robert Lechner, who served as the president of Zengeler Cleaners for many years. A longtime Winnetka resident and past president of both the Winnetka Chamber of Commerce and Winnetka Lions Club, Lechner convinced area businesses such as Beinlich’s to showcase them. He also promoted the idea within the Lions organization, which subsequently featured life-size versions of the Hadley House in their “Candy Day” parades. Today, only the Hadley Houses at Beinlich’s remain. Tom says that around the holidays, they get especially full. He sends Hadley a check every few months. And lest you think small donations don’t add up, Beinlich’s customers and staff have donated nearly $22,000 to Hadley since the tavern opened. So, next time you’re at Beinlich’s, tell ’em William Hadley sent you, have yourself a burger and fries and give them a big helping of thanks from us. If you have any information about the Hadley Houses, please call Hadley’s Communications Dept.: 847-784-2774. Age is Nothing but a (Braille) Number When Albuquerque, N.M. resident Mary Foster was diagnosed with glaucoma five years ago, she realized her favorite pastime, reading, was in danger. Rather than give up the enjoyment of time spent curled up with a book or newspaper, the former nurse became determined to learn braille. Today, Foster, 94, is a Hadley student whose braille instructors rave about her progress and her passion for learning. “Reading is how I take in information,” Foster says. “I couldn’t give it up. I asked: ‘Why couldn’t I learn braille if I applied myself?’” Foster’s educational journey began when her daughter helped her obtain a week-long scholarship to Lions World, a rehabilitation agency in Little Rock, Ark. The purpose was to learn about living independently with a visual impairment. At week’s end, an instructor recommended she continue her braille studies at Hadley, because courses were comprehensive and free, and Foster could study from home. She enrolled at Hadley in 2008, beginning “Braille Literacy 1,” one of 10 braille instruction courses the school offers to students with a visual impairment. She was delighted to be able to study at her own pace with instructors whom she describes as “approachable and wonderful.” Foster found memorizing braille characters easy and committed the alphabet and numbers to memory quickly. She experienced a common roadblock to tactile reading for older braille readers: reduced sensitivity in her fingers. Her instructors provided ideas and support as she identified techniques such as using lotion before reading and finger massage to improve tactile sensitivity. Before long, she was back to reading books for pleasure. She attributes her success in part to deliberately setting aside time each day for braille studies and taking her distance education courses seriously. These days, Foster reads whatever she can get her hands on and says her daughter sends “more reading material than I can get through in a lifetime.” She just completed biographies of Anne Sullivan, Helen Keller and Louis Braille. “I am in awe of all of those people and their contributions to the blindness community,” she says. Though current statistics indicate braille literacy is in decline, Foster serves as a role model, letting nothing stand in the way of her access to literature. According to the National Federation of the Blind, of the 1.3 million people who are blind in the United States, fewer than 10% are braille literate. Hadley instructors cite the perception of braille as daunting and complicated as a roadblock to braille education among senior citizens. Foster’s fearlessness sets her apart from many braille-shy peers and demonstrates that braille can be learned at any age. Foster intends to continue her braille studies. “It’s very important that senior citizens do something to keep mentally active,” she says. “Braille fills that part of my life. I live alone, but with braille I am never lonely.” Friends Honor Founder, Renew Goal to “Make a Difference” The Friends of Hadley, a volunteer organization that has supported the school since the 1970s, is always willing to assist a student in need or address a special cause. When a Hadley student lost all her possessions in Hurricane Katrina, the Friends provided her with computer equipment so she could get back on her feet and return to work. Over the years they have funded course development and also provided initial support for the Family Education Program. After founder and well-loved Friends’ Chair Patti Willian passed away last March, Friends member Rosita Schloss stepped up and offered to chair the group. In February, the Friends gathered at Hadley for tea and decided to continue the special work they have undertaken to support Hadley for more than 30 years. In celebration of Hadley’s 90th anniversary, we recently held an essay contest, asking students to write a letter to William Hadley explaining what the school he co-founded in 1920 has meant to them and how they have applied what they’ve learned to their daily life. The Friends have agreed to fund travel for the winner and a guest to attend Hadley’s 90th anniversary celebration, accept an award and read the winning essay to the school’s supporters. Patti liked to think of the Friends of Hadley as the school’s “fairy godmothers”; in her honor, they will continue to be. Taking Hadley’s courses provided the practical, hands-on information I needed to do my job on a daily basis. —Mary Kakareka, Hadley School for Professional Studies student It doesn’t seem as though you would have a personal connection through distance education. But Hadley is so contrary to that idea. I’ve developed such good connections and have gotten such good advice. —Jennifer O’Neill, Family Education student After starting my courses with Hadley, I fell in love with learning. —Megan Tate, Hadley high school graduate Hadley instructors shared their confidence in such a way as to remove a lot of the fear of being blind for me. —Dannie Hawley, Adult Continuing Education student Hadley Opens Satellite Office in Texas Billy Brookshire, Hadley’s newest staff member, is a part-time instructor and Seminars@Hadley moderator who will also tap his network of contacts to publicize Hadley’s resources in Texas. He works out of Hadley’s new satellite office at the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center in Austin. Brookshire retired in December 2008 after 30 years at the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), where he provided a variety of training programs to DARS employees and clients covering topics such as orientation to blindness rehabilitation, procedures for casework professionals and psycho-social aspects of blindness. He even taught an orientation course similar to Hadley’s “Blindness Basics.” “I am excited to join Hadley’s team of instructors,” Brookshire says. “Hadley pays close attention to trends in the blindness field and offers that insight to students and professionals who need this expertise to work with clients.” In college, Brookshire became close to his visually impaired roommate and witnessed firsthand the many challenges people who are blind face in navigating a sighted world. He worked as a classroom teacher and a surgical technician before finding his true calling as a trainer in the blindness field. At DARS, he developed a passion for education and training to help clients stand out, become employed and achieve success in school, at work and in life. Brookshire serves on the boards of All Blind Children of Texas and the Hall of Fame for Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field. He lives in Austin with his wife Debbie and German Shepherd Rex, a retired guide dog. My Hadley memories start with the remarkable Richard Kinney. He was Hadley’s president when I joined the Woman’s Board in 1977. Visiting with him through the teletouch was an amazing experience for me, as was getting to know Jerrie Lawhorn, who was frequently at the school at that time. Peggy Butow played the piano at every event, as well as during the lunch hour now and then, and dear Donna Johnson’s ready smile belied all of her health problems, including her lack of sight. Later, Linda Perry came to Hadley and is still teaching braille from her California home. What a special group, all dealing with challenges in an admirable way. —Hadley Trustee Betsey Puth Spring From Darkness Into Light I had the joy of listening to an incredible musician and dear friend sing: “I sit down in my favorite chair and float downstream. Let my hand drop in the water and catch a dream.” My dream became reality as Anne Hills’ rich voice filled the concert hall at the Music Institute of Chicago during two past benefit performances for our school. I designed a 2-CD musical component for Hadley’s Social Skills Series, addressing social issues through music. Award-winning acoustic folk musicians Anne Hills and David Roth—both with Chicago roots—were strong supporters. These benefit concerts were prompted by their involvement in my music project. The Nichols Concert Hall, one of the best acoustic venues in the Chicago area, is typically out of financial reach for a benefit concert. Rick Kogan of WGN Radio connected me with Fiona Queen, the Institute’s director of performance activities, who helped make this benefit concert possible. Local merchants, blindness agencies and individuals throughout the country donated raffle prizes and artwork for silent auctions. The first year’s expenses were covered by anonymous donations. Many costs for the second performance were covered by Hadley students who were happy for a chance to give back to the school. This year’s performance will be entirely covered by student donations. We’ve raised close to $12,000 thus far while increasing awareness of our school. “I was thrilled when Linn asked me to be part of these benefit concerts,” says Hills. “Blindness is a personal issue for me. My mother lost her sight to macular degeneration more than 10 years ago at a time when she was assisting my grandmother, who had lost her sight. Both women taught me about resilience and patience and widened my awareness of age-related blindness.” “To be able to offer my songs in support of people who take inspiration or hope from them is a great honor, so my ‘yes’ was easy and emphatic,” says Roth. “The natural extension of the collaboration with Linn’s project was a live event. These concerts with longtime friend Anne Hills, in my hometown and for a good cause, is a dream come true.” The concert’s musical messages focus on one’s inner spirit—turning from a feeling of darkness into light while experiencing the growth and learning that comes with vision loss. Several songs address teaching, caring for others and disabilities. We hope to have 300+ in our audience sharing music as they support Hadley’s 90th anniversary. Help make this dream a reality! Join Us! April 24, 7:30 p.m. at the Music Institute of Chicago Evanston campus. Sound clips, photos, event details and tickets are available at www.hadley.edu/concert. Some Memorable Moments in Hadley’s History 1915: William Hadley, a man with a voracious appetite for reading and learning, loses his vision as a result of the flu epidemic of 1915 1920: With his neighbor, Dr. E.V.L. Brown, Hadley establishes the first school to teach braille by mail. His first student is a Kansas homemaker desperate to learn braille so that she can continue to read to her children 1922: The Hadley Correspondence School for the Blind incorporated 1926: Donald Wing Hathaway hired as part-time instructor; serves as president 1969 – 1975 1930s: Four-year High School Program initiated 1935: Lions of Illinois resolves to support Hadley students 1937: Hadley School moves to Winnetka Community House 1941: William Hadley, 81, passes away 1950s: Audio recording of courses begins (Radio/TV personalities were readers) 1953: Woman’s Board founded; first president is Mrs. Ernest Ballard Ground-breaking for new building at 700 Elm Street (cover photo) 1954: Richard Kinney, one of the first deafblind college graduates, joins Hadley faculty; serves as president 1975 – 1979 Motivated by community support, Clarence Boyd Jones, son-in-law of Dr. E.V.L. Brown, and Nancy Jones initiate the Hadley School Building Fund 1956: First Hadley Woman’s Board Braille Holiday Card 1957: New building at 700 Elm Street dedicated 1958: School recognized by Accrediting Commision of National Home Study Council 1971: New building addition dedicated 1973: Garden Guild of Winnetka creates Hadley garden on premises 1982: Dr. Robert J. Winn begins term as Hadley’s longest serving president: 1982 – 2001 1984: Parent-Child Program launched 1988: Hadley-China opens 1996: Parent-Child Program expands to include family members of adults who are blind (later changed to Family Education Program) 1997: Professional Education Program launched (later changed to Hadley School for Professional Studies) 2002: First High School Graduation Ceremony held at Winnetka Woman’s Club 2002: First online course, “Internet Basics,” offered 2006: First live, online Seminars@Hadley, “Braille Every Day, Every Way,” offered 2010: Hadley establishes Executive Leadership Institute upcoming Hadley events ? Hadley Woman’s Board Annual Benefit April 17 ? Spring From Darkness Into Light Folk Concert April 24 ? Hadley Semi-annual Meeting/High School Graduation June 9 ? Annual Meeting, The Edwin J. Brach and Hazel and Bertram Brodie Annual Award Ceremony October 7 ? 5th Annual Hounds for Hadley Dog Walk October 23 Save the Date! The Hadley School for the Blind 90th Anniversary Garden Party Thursday, June 24, 4:30 p.m. The Marylou Hayford Sensory Garden Don’t Miss... The Annual Winnetka Woman’s Club House Walk featuring The Hadley School for the Blind’s “Sensory House & Garden” Wednesday, May 26, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Our mission: To promote independent living through lifelong, distance education programs for people who are blind or visually impaired, their families and blindness service providers. The Hadley School for the Blind 700 Elm Street Winnetka, IL 60093-2554 USA Change Service Requested