Hadley (non-profit organization)

Hadley, formerly Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired, is an American non-profit, based in Winnetka, Illinois. It offers instruction and classes for individuals who have lost their vision or are blind.

Hadley is a partner of the National Eye Institute (NEI) and the National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP).

Background
Hadley was founded in 1920 by William A. Hadley. When he lost his sight at the age of 55, William Hadley faced many challenges. A former high school teacher with a lifelong passion for reading, Hadley wanted to learn braille. He was frustrated, however, in his search for a teacher. So, he taught himself braille instead.

Founding
Hadley's dream was to share his newfound skills with others like him, empowering them to thrive as much as he. Together with Dr. E.V.L. Brown, an ophthalmologist and neighbor, Hadley found a way to reach others from around the corner and across the globe. The Hadley Correspondence School and the "braille by mail" curriculum were launched in 1920. The very first student, a woman in Kansas, had lost her sight later in life, too, and she was desperate to continue reading. She mailed her lessons to Hadley. He corrected and returned them along with notes of help and encouragement.

Dr. Brown was also critical to the founding and success of Hadley. He worked to build and manage an organization that could sustain itself while offering education free of charge. In 1922, Dr. Brown was appointed to be Hadley's first President of the Board of Trustees and would serve in this role until his death in 1953.

Emerging Technology
By the early 1960s, Hadley was exploring new approaches to distance learning, producing plastic braille books and audio recordings its building in downtown Winnetka, for distribution to a growing population of visually impaired across the country. In the ensuing decades, Hadley added film and video production to its array of media channels.

Hadley Today
In July 2020, Hadley launched its new online learning platform, HadleyHelps.org. Built on many months of research and development addressing the needs of visually impaired older adults, the learning hub offers free workshops on a variety of practical topics. Workshops are delivered online or through the mail in audio or print. Hadley's call-in discussion groups offer live support from experts and a chance to connect and learn from peers.

Notable Faculty and Leadership

 * Richard Kinney
 * Geraldine Lawhorn
 * Dr. E.V.L. Brown