The Forsythe Center for Entrepreneurship (FCE) is part of Hadley's Adult Continuing Education Program. The goal of this new initiative is to provide individuals who are blind or visually impaired with the knowledge, resources and networking opportunities to enable them to advance in their careers or to successfully launch and grow their own businesses. It was developed to address the 70 to 80 percent un- and underemployment rate among people who are blind or visually impaired.
The FCE is designed to provide requisite computer training; relevant Social Security, tax, accounting, legal, marketing, management and communications information; and content specific to the needs and concerns of individuals who are visually impaired. The FCE is meant to be practical, relevant and interactive, utilizing existing Hadley courses and newly created modules that contain the following elements:
The majority of curriculum offerings and resources will be available online only. Courses will be offered in three phases of development beginning in September 2011.
The Center is not designed to replicate an MBA or other business program offered through universities, but rather to provide a unique continuing education opportunity. Family members who expect to be involved in a student's business venture are also eligible for enrollment in select entrepreneurship courses.
Contact Student Services or send an enrollment application so that we can determine your eligibility.
The Center is made possible by Hadley Trustee Sandy Forsythe and her husband Rick who have made a generous, three-year matching gift toward new funds raised by the school for this new initiative. Other funders include Adams Street Partners, Alliant Credit Union Foundation, Helen Brach Foundation, Fred J. Brunner Foundation, A.G. Cox Charity Trust, H.W. Irwin and D.C. Irwin Foundation, Donald P. and Byrd M. Kelly Foundation, Martin J. and Susan B. Kozak Foundation, Dr. Scholl Foundation, Charles and M. R. Shapiro Foundation, Siragusa Foundation, Susquehanna Foundation for the Blind, Union Bank Foundation, and a number of individual donors.
On October 11, 2011 Hadley's new Veterans Outreach Specialist Urban Miyares presented on behalf of Hadley as part of Chicago Ideas Week. Miyares is the president of the Disabled Businesspersons Association and considered one of the nation's leading authorities on the self-employment of people with disabilities. He also serves as a content expert for Hadley's newly launched Forsythe Center for Entrepreneurship. He gave the keynote address at "Made in Chicago: Innovation in Urban Entrepreneurship," presented by Loyola University and The Chicago Urban League.
