Horizons Celebrates Louis Braille Anniversary

In July, Horizons for the Blind hosted a birthday party celebrating the 200th birthday of Louis Braille, the inventor of braille code. Braille is credited with empowering blind and visually impaired people to lead fuller and more productive lives.

The event featured hands-on exhibits and presentations, highlighting the history and use of braille. Representatives from Horizons and the State of Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services spoke about the positive impact braille has had on their lives. Select from the links below to hear first hand accounts of them using braille in their everyday lives.

Horizons is pleased to present these audio presentations for your enjoyment and enrichment.

Listen to the presentations

Horizons Partners With Companies And Corporations

Horizons for the Blind partners with companies and corporations, such as Seattle Sutton's Healthy Eating, to provide Braille and large print menus, package information and instructions for food preparation and cooking. We encourage you to visit their web site at: seattlesutton.com

Horizons Receives Grant

Horizons for the Blind has received a matching grant for $ 15,222.00 from Lions Clubs International Foundation. Over 40 Lions and Lioness Clubs in Illinois and Wisconsin matched the grant for a total of $30, 444.00.

"This is a great shot-in-the-arm,' said Camille Cafarelli, Executive Director of Horizons for the Blind. "The funds will be used to purchase and remodel several of our computerized work stations in the office," she stated. These workstations are used by blind and visually-impaired employees to provide useful services for other blind and sight-impaired people around the country. Each workstation consists of a computer, printer and scanning programs with voice assistance to aid the blind or visually-impaired user.

Horizons for the Blind provides materials for the blind and visually-impaired from educational materials to translating utility bills and bank statements into Braille and large-print.

Horizons Celebrates 30th. Anniversary

April 20, 2007 marked a milestone for Horizons for the Blind. That evening, Horizon's staff and guests gathered to celebrate 30 years of helping improve the quality of life for those who are blind and visually impaired.

In 1977 Camille Caffarelli founded Horizons in the basement of her home with very limited technology and just a handful of volunteers. Over the next 3 decades, Horizons has grown to meet the needs of corporate and individual clients with Braille, large print and audio needs. Today, Horizons is proud to have over 40 employees and volunteers as well as a broader range of modern technology to help serve the community.

Mary Ellen Thorson, Horizons for the Blind board member and event chair helped make the event such a success. Special thanks also go out to Master of Ceremonies Robert Fredrickson, staff member Celine Bush as well as guest speakers Ms. Alberta O'Shaughnessy, Mr. Alvin Roberts and Ms. Bev Rich-Winks and to the individuals and corporations who graciously donated.