Chicago Lighthouse marks its centennial anniversary

By Marie Balice Ward

The Chicago Lighthouse for people who are blind or visually impaired is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a number of events, including gala balls, picnics, and asymposium.

Located at 1850 W. Roosevelt Rd., “the Chicago Lighthouse serves about 50,000 people annually, throughout Illinois and nationally,” said its president, James Kesteloot, who is visually impaired.  “We work with many hospitals and government agencies to bring our services where they are most needed.”

The Chicago Lighthouse runs a clock manufacturing operation on site as well as a school, low vision clinic, Braille library, seniors’ program, job training center, and legal clinic. Its store sells a wide array of products for the visually impaired, and its CRIS (Chicagoland Radio Information Service) radio station, which airs information on current events and pop culture, is available globally via the internet.

The Lighthouse helps place visually impaired and blind individuals in jobs and hires them for the organization’s manufacturing operation as well. “Blind and visually impaired people yearn to lead normal lives,” Kesteloot said. “Our programs help children at schools and libraries, and veterans as well
as the public, who all seek the same things in life as sighted individuals— including jobs.”

As a not-for profit organization, about one-third of the Chicago Lighthouse’s budget comes from donations. The theme of its 100th anniversary symposium reflects its mission: Seeing What’s Possible. “‘Seeing’ has several meanings,” said Kesteloot, “including knowing and understanding the possibilities.

We are stepping in where some of the gaps exist that the government and other entities do not fulfill. We are gearing our programs and researching advancing technology for the growing elderly population with its particular vision issues, including macular degeneration, which is not restricted to the elderly but is most prevalent among seniors.”

Scheduled for the Palmer House Hilton at 17 E. Monroe St., the Chicago Lighthouse symposium begins Tuesday, Oct. 3, with a tribute dinner honoring Alfred A. Rosenbloom, OD, FAAO, followed by a day- ong series of presentations on Wednesday, Oct. 4. Subjects include Making Your Hiring Practices More Accessible, New Adaptive Technology Solutions, Legal Resources in Our Community, Media Depiction of People with Disabilities, Advocating for People who are Blind or Visually Impaired, and Resources for Seniors with Vision Loss. The keynote speaker and media award recipient is Joe Ahern, president and general manager of WBBMTV, who continues to be a staunch supporter of people with disabilities.

Other awardees are J.P. Morgan Chase, which will receive the Corporate Partner Award, and Microsoft, which won the Accessibility Award. For more information or to register for the symposium, call (312) 997-3662 or log on to www.thechicagolighthouse.org.