generationsT H E H A D L E Y S C H O O L F O R T H E B L I N D — E S T. 1 9 2 0

FALL 2014

Student AchievesLifelong DreamInside:

High School Graduate Success

Stories

Through the generosity of others, building on the past, bringing life-changing services to future generations

Hadley is expanding its reach to serve adults with age-related vision loss through our new Low Vision Focus @ Hadley. Low vision is defined as having

significant difficulty seeing even after correction with eye-glasses, contact lenses, surgery or medicine. With the Baby Boomer generation living longer, more people than ever are experiencing low vision, and the numbers will continue to grow. This fiscal year, our goal for the Low Vision Focus is to develop its programmatic components, including developing a series of audio lessons focused on adaptive living skills; producing educational videos and webinars; and creating a comprehensive and engaging Web site.

Another focal point for Hadley is updating our curriculum to teach Unified English Braille (UEB), the braille code recently adopted by braille users in the United States. We are strengthening and expanding existing initiatives, including the Forsythe Center for Employment and Entrepreneurship (see page 4) and the Blinded Veterans Initiative. I am personally committed to visiting each of the VA’s 13 Blind Rehabilitation Centers around the country, and I am well on the way to achieving this goal. To date, I have met with staff and patients at more than half of these facilities, sharing information about how Hadley is an important educational resource for veterans experiencing both service-connected and age-related vision loss.

In this issue of Generations, we not only update you on our various courses, initiatives and generous funders, but introduce you to our recent high school graduates whose success stories make us proud. We also profile one of the first students to take advantage of a new Entrepreneur of Excellence Certificate developed through a partnership with the National Association of Blind Merchants to enhance the business skills of blind entrepreneurs.

Our long-range plan continues to move us forward in new and innovative ways, responding to both the needs of current students and those who have yet to discover all that Hadley has to offer. As always, thank you for your ongoing investment in Hadley. You, our donors, enable us to remain the leader in the field in promoting independent living through lifelong distance education for people with vision loss, their families, caregivers and related professionals.

Best regards,

Charles E. Young, President

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Interested in the latest news, course announcements and upcoming Seminars@Hadley topics? Visit www.hadley.edu and click “Subscribe to eNews”

LAVELLE FUNDS NEW COURSES FOR BLINDNESS PROFESSIONALS

The Lavelle Fund for the Blind in New York City supports programs that help people who are blind or visually impaired lead independent, productive lives. A major, long-time Hadley supporter, the Fund is currently underwriting the development of three new Hadley courses for professionals who work with people with vision loss.

“Teaching Children with Multiple Disabilities” will benefit teachers and paraeducators who work with children with multiple disabilities. The course is being written by experts in teaching methods for this population. This curriculum is intended to build high expectations of these children by focusing on their abilities, including success stories that build and inspire hopefulness.

“Low Vision and Adults” will provide information about the resources and opportunities that are available to adults with low vision, including the most widely-used non-profit and government agencies and a description of their services. A third course,“Transition to Adult Services,” is intended as a resource for staff at schools for the blind as they guide students through the transition from youth to adult services.

Lavelle Fund Executive Director Andrew Fisher says, “Hadley is known for its responsiveness to the needs of blindness professionals. These courses will reflect expert knowledge about topics that are critical for teachers through Hadley’s practical distance education delivery method. We are proud to be a part of this effort.”

Andrew Fisher, Executive Director, Lavelle Fund for the Blind

2 | GENERATIONS — FALL 2014 | THE HADLEY SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND

In 2007, Pat married a longtime family friend, Dr. Norm Blankenship. Together they have continued to support Hadley and host fundraising events in Florida on the school’s behalf. Pat has eight grandchildren whom she says she is “absolutely crazy about.” They lovingly call her GG which stands for “Greatest Grandma.”

When asked her thoughts about Hadley, Pat said, “I don’t know what people would do without it.” Over the years, she has enjoyed getting to know Hadley staff but remains most impressed by Urban Miyares, who has served as Hadley’s special advisor on veteran and entrepreneurial initiatives. She commented, “I can’t believe how a person

succeeds in life while going blind; even teaching sailing as Urban does. It’s important for others to hear success stories from people who are blind; it has real impact.”

Pat is particularly delighted with Hadley’s new Low Vision Focus, which promotes independent living to older adults experiencing age-related vision loss. She says, “It is outstanding to be able to help in this important area.”

When asked why she funded two enabling gardens, Pat simply said, “There was a need.” And meeting needs is what keeps her in first place as she improves the lives of thousands around the country. l

To learn how you can invest in Hadley’s educational programs or sponsor a course, contact Shari Burton, 847.784.2765 or shari@hadley.edu.

DONOR SPOTLIGHT

Life Trustee Pat Buehler Blankenship calls herself a “starter” and with good reason. Over the years Pat and Bert, her late husband, were the driving forces behind

two Buehler Enabling Gardens — one at the Chicago Botanic Garden and one at the Naples Botanic Garden. The two, along with Pat’s step-brother Dr. Jim Webster, also led the develop-ment of the Buehler Center on Aging at Northwestern with her sons John and A.C. A trustee at Northwestern University since 1983, Pat recently helped lead the university’s first-ever 60th alumni reunion. She has been a mem-ber of the Hadley Board of Trustees since 1980.

More recently, Pat found a way to bring her interest in enabling gardens together with Bert’s long-time interest in Hadley where he had been a supporter since 1967. Pat encouraged Hadley President Chuck Young to meet with her son John, a board member at the Chicago Botanic Garden, to discuss a collaborative project between the two organizations. The result was “Stress Relief and Meditative Gardening,” a new and very popular distance education course designed to assist visually impaired individuals facing stress, including veterans with PTSD.

Looking for a way to add sound enrichment to the Enabling Gardens, Pat went on to fund Hadley’s newly released “Enjoying Birdsongs” course which provides a delightful, non-academic exposure to birdsongs for the visually impaired. An audio guide suitable for enabling gardens also will be released in the coming months.

Pat Buehler BlankenshipA Starter Who Finishes First

THE HADLEY SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND | GENERATIONS — FALL 2014 | 3

FORSYTHE CENTER FOR EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Meet FCE Student Pam SchnurrENTREPRENEUR OF EXCELLENCE CERTIFICATE FOR BLIND VENDORS

In February 2014, Hadley launched a partnership with the National Association of Blind Merchants and the National Federation of the Blind’s Entrepreneurs Initiative (NABM/NFBEI) to offer an Entrepreneur of Excellence Certificate to Randolph-Sheppard Vendors. The Randolph-Sheppard Act is a federal law which mandates a priority to blind persons to operate vending facilities on federal property. There are about 2,100 Randolph-Sheppard vendors operating in the United States who work autonomously in an entrepreneurial fashion.

Students who complete a two-part series of FCE courses will be recognized at NABM’s Business Leadership and Superior Training (BLAST) Conference, or at its annual meeting. The certificate may also count for continuing education credit for vendors’ upward mobility requirement. So far, 46 students have enrolled, including Pam Schnurr (right). As part of this partnership, Hadley is developing 10-15 new courses specifically for Randolph-Sheppard vendors, as well as a series of regularly scheduled webinars focusing on business trends and challenges pertinent to blind merchants.

NEW FCE COURSE: BUSINESS ETHICS

This course emphasizes the importance of how ethical and nonethical actions and reactions can enhance or hinder a business. It discusses general business ethics and ways the U.S. government has addressed nonethical business behaviors. It explores the philosophical side of ethical decision making, as well as ethical leadership, which is essential to business success. It also explains ways to confront ethical dilemmas, with helpful scenarios.

Pam Schnurr has been a vendor with the Randolph-Sheppard program for 26 years. As the

single mom of two daughters, Pam wanted a career that would help her provide for her family. Her passion is working with people, particularly helping people who are blind, so the vendor program was a perfect fit. At about the same time, Pam found out about Hadley and decided to enroll. She took “Personal Psychology,” which she says has helped her deal with the many different personalities she encounters in working with customers. She also took “Using Excel,” which she uses for several purposes in her business, including making menus, conducting payroll and keeping track of inventory.

Pam currently runs PJS Services, LLP, which includes a cafeteria, a coffee shop, a convenience store and several vending machines at the Bean Federal Center in Indianapolis. Pam handles various aspects of her business, including working with contracted workers, accounts payable and receivable, pricing, payroll and cash handling.

When Pam heard about the Entrepreneur of Excellence Certificate being offered through Hadley and the National Association of Blind Merchants, she was eager to enroll to

improve her skillset and earn required continuing education credits. She is currently taking “Business Law 1” and says it is helping her negotiate contracts.

Pam believes that self-employment is very rewarding. “Self-employment, particularly being a Randolph-Sheppard vendor, is a great opportunity for blind individuals. The unemployment rate among blind individuals is extremely high, so I’m grateful that I’m able to do work that I love. I have freedom, and I am my own boss, which means I have to be very organized and responsible. There is a lot of pressure, but I’m proud of my success,” says Pam.

Pam encourages all blind individuals to take advantage of the educational opportunities offered by Hadley and the Forsythe Center for Employment and Entrepreneurship. “After all, where else can you get a completely free education? I love learning, and I can continue to keep learning throughout my career and my lifetime,” says Pam. l

Pam Schnurr, Randolph-Sheppard vendor

4 | GENERATIONS — FALL 2014 | THE HADLEY SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND

LOW VISION FOCUS @ HADLEY

Lions Partner with Hadley on Low Vision Focus

COUPLE PROVIDES GENEROUS MATCHING FUNDS FOR VIDEO STUDIO

Longtime Hadley donors Marian and Fruman Jacobson were honored in July for their role as benefactors of the new video studio. The Jacobsons provided the matching funds required to secure the Lions gift (see above). A permanent photo plaque was hung by the entrance to the studio in recognition of their generous support. The full story was profiled in Generations March 2014.

Lions Clubs share Hadley’s mission to serve people who are blind or visually impaired. Both organizations have a long history of working together on projects to help

people with vision loss live independently. Most recently, District 1-F Lions, made up of 40 Lions Clubs in northern Illinois, joined with Hadley on the Low Vision Focus to bring practical distance education programs to older adults with low vision nationwide.

Hadley and District 1-F Lions received a grant from Lions Clubs International Foundation to support this program and build the Lions Video Studio at the school’s headquarters in Winnetka. In the new studio, Hadley will produce videos that demonstrate techniques for living with low vision at home. These videos will accompany free audio lessons for older adults with low vision and their adult children and caregivers. l

Marian and Fruman Jacobson against green screen in new video studio at Hadley.

Hadley has assembled an Advisory Committee of individuals with varied backgrounds and expertise to assist in creating the most effective program possible to help adults who have developed low vision. The committee is comprised of six members.

Anne Yeadon is a vision teacher who has worked internationally and created the VisionAware Web site. She is a lifelong advocate of self-help vision rehabilitation.

Amy Donoghue has worked with vision impaired adults as a counselor, in both university and hospital settings, for more than two decades.

Dr. Rebecca Marinoff, an optometrist, is the director of low vision for the State University of New York Optometric Center.

Nancy Simmons owns and operates a retail outlet selling assistive living products and has had low vision her entire adult life.

Bernadette Bloomfield is experiencing the onset of reduced sight because of macular degeneration and lives independently in a very active retirement community.

Jerry Marasco, a property manager, is a graduate of the Lavelle School for the Blind and has been vision impaired all of his life.

Each of these individuals brings a unique perspective about adult vision loss and its impact on daily living.

New Advisory Committee Created

Last April, District 1-F Lions visited Hadley for a tour and the grand opening of the Lions Video Studio.

THE HADLEY SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND | GENERATIONS — FALL 2014 | 5

Robin Darrow, CARobin Darrow was diagnosed with both macular degeneration and cataracts, and her sight deteriorated over time. She learned about Hadley through the San Diego Center for the Blind. She loved the personal relationship she had with her instructors and appreciated the flexibility of her education and the sense of ownership it gave her. “Hadley has given me so much confidence and a much greater sense of self-worth. I love being an example for my niece and nephew,” says Robin.

Cassandra Hamilton, FLCassandra Hamilton has been blind since birth. She faced a lot of challenges at her local high school but was determined to earn her diploma to improve her career prospects. She decided to try distance education through Hadley. “Sometimes people look at you differently when you’re visually impaired, and it can be hard living in a sighted world. All of the challenges I’ve faced have given me the opportunity to better myself and become more independent. My high school diploma will mean a lot to my future success,” says Cassandra.

Sabrina Markel, FLSabrina Markel has been blind since birth. She says she was “at the end of her rope” trying to find a program to help her earn her high school diploma that accommodated her blindness when she found Hadley through an internet search. Sabrina also has Type 2 diabetes and says Hadley’s “Diabetes” course helped her learn more about her condition and how to manage it.

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

Meet the Hadley Class of 2014

She plans to further her education at the Rehabilitation Center for the Blind in Daytona and eventually begin working. “Receiving my high school diploma has opened a door for me that’s been closed for years. It means so much to me,” says Sabrina.

Faye McCamey, MIFaye McCamey was born with retinitis pigmentosa, an inherited, degenerative eye disease. She lost most of her vision by age 30. Faye had children at an early age, so she never earned her high school diploma. When she decided she wanted to make a change and go to college, she enrolled at Hadley. Faye is now enrolled to become a massage therapist and has been on the Dean’s list two semesters in a row. “Earning my high school diploma has vastly improved my quality of my life. Being visually impaired is a challenge, but it’s just one of many that life presents,” says Faye.

Ivette Sanchez, ILIvette Sanchez has been visually impaired since birth. Before coming to Hadley, Ivette tried to get her GED, but the proper accommodations were not made for her. She enjoyed the convenience of Hadley’s phone assign-ment submission line. “I am so grateful for my high school diploma. It also serves as motivation for my son, and shows him that nothing is impossible. I’m so proud,” says Ivette. l

Other 2014 graduates include Ronald Harris, Colorado; Rodney Turner, North Carolina; Linda Giovene, New York; Daniella Rodriguez, Florida; Knoxie McKinnie, Tennessee; Robert Sabwami, Ohio (featured, right).

Since the 1930s, The Hadley School for the Blind has offered a nationally-recognized, accredited High School Program available to students with visual impairments age 14 and up who live in the United States. Students can earn their diploma directly from Hadley, or they can choose to graduate from their hometown high school by applying Hadley course credits toward existing schoolwork. In working toward a Hadley diploma, students may also transfer credit earned from their previous high school.

6 | GENERATIONS — FALL 2014 | THE HADLEY SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND

COVER STORY

Student Achieves Dream of High School Diploma and Hadley Commendation

Growing up in Kenya, Robert Sabwami was diagnosed at a young age with Retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative disease that leads

to vision loss. Four members of his family also live with the disease. By 2005, his vision had deteriorated to the point that he could no longer read print. Robert says he was in denial about his vision loss and feeling discouraged about his future when he heard about Hadley through the Kenya Institute for the Blind, where he was in the process of learning braille.

When Robert was awarded a green card through a random lottery in 2011, he immigrated to the United States with his wife and children. When he was in high school in Kenya, Robert says none of his teachers took him seriously because of his visual impairment, and he could not read, so he never earned his diploma, a fact that he says has haunted him his entire life.

Robert had read the success stories of past graduates on Hadley’s website and decided to enroll to pursue his dream of graduating from high school. Being new to the United States, he particularly enjoyed Hadley’s U.S. History courses. He and his family are now legal, permanent residents.

Robert found all of his instructors as well as Hadley’s Director of Student Services Karen Woodfork to be very encouraging. He appreciated that he did not have to be in a certain physical location to complete his coursework and was able to study at a time that was convenient for him.

Robert is now studying computer science at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio and plans to seek work as a software engineer and accessibility specialist upon graduation.

“If it weren’t for Hadley, I would not have the opportunities I have today. All of those years, I had been dreaming about going back to school and earning my diploma, and Hadley has allowed me to make that dream a reality. I was feeling so bad about myself and stagnating, but Hadley has opened a whole new world to me,” says Robert.

Robert was recently nominated by Hadley staff to receive a Certificate of Commendation for his Hadley

““

All of those years, I had been

dreaming about going back to

school and earning my diploma,

and Hadley has allowed me to

make that dream a reality.

studies. “Robert is a wonderful, extremely motivated student. He has taken a total of 36 courses since 2012, earning all As and A+s, save for a grade of B in two courses,” says Woodfork.

While he relates to students who may feel overwhelmed at the prospect of going back to school to earn their diploma, he says consistency is the key to his achievements. “In simple terms, with total commitment, success is imminent. When I began, I asked myself, ‘Will I ever finish?’ When I applied to college, it was so satisfying to check ‘yes’ in the high school diploma status, which would not have been possible without Hadley.” l

THE HADLEY SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND | GENERATIONS — FALL 2014 | 7

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