The Hadley School for the Blind Announces Launch of Forsythe Center for Entrepreneurship

The Hadley School for the Blind has announced plans to launch the Forsythe Center for Entrepreneurship in the fall of 2011. The goal of this new business, entrepreneurship and technology program is to provide individuals who are visually impaired with the knowledge,
resources and networking opportunities enabling them to advance in their careers or to successfully launch and grow their own businesses.

Hadley is embarking upon this program, in part, to address the deplorable employment rate among people who are visually impaired. Although statistics vary somewhat, the most reliable data sources suggest that the under- or unemployment rate of persons who are blind or visually impaired is 70%-80%.

“The Center will fulfill a great need. Self-employment is a very viable avenue to attain meaningful jobs and incomes for those who are visually impaired,” says Hadley Vice President of Education and Training George Abbott, who will manage the Center.

By providing the requisite computer training, along with the relevant Social Security, tax, accounting, legal, marketing, management and communications information, Hadley will prepare students to take a large step towards achieving self-sufficiency. The curriculum content
will be made richer through a network of accomplished civic and business leaders who are themselves blind or visually impaired, as well as through access to a comprehensive, online resource center.

The Center is named in honor of long-time Hadley trustee and donor Sandy Forsythe and her husband, Rick, who have offered a significant, three-year, 2-for-1 challenge grant if matched by new contributions to the school.

“We are honored to support such an important program at Hadley that truly fulfills the school’s mission to promote independent living,” says Forsythe.

The program is also funded by grants from the Alliant Credit Union Foundation, Adams Street Partners, Union Bank Foundation and Martin J. and Susan B. Kozak Foundation as well as other individual donors. Hadley welcomes additional gifts toward the match.

The program is designed to be practical, relevant and interactive. Courses are open to anyone who is blind or visually impaired, over age 14 and is serious about starting or growing a business. Coursework is offered free of charge and is mostly online.

“The Center for Entrepreneurship represents one of the many ways that Hadley is evolving to utilize technology to meet our students’ needs. This program will help students worldwide achieve their employment goals,” says President Chuck Young.

For more information about the Forsythe Center for Entrepreneurship, contact George Abbott at 800-323-4238 ex. 2845 or George@hadley.edu.


About The Hadley School for the Blind: Founded in 1920, The Hadley School for the Blind’s mission is to promote independent living through lifelong, distance education programs for people who are blind or visually impaired, their families and blindness service providers. The world’s largest educator of braille, Hadley enrolls more than 10,000 students in all 50 states and 100 countries each year. For more information, visit www.hadley.edu or call 800-323-4238.