Arlington Heights Resident Leading Entrepreneur
Date:   Monday, June 5th
Time:  4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Place:  The Hadley School for the Blind, 700 Elm Street - Winnetka, Ill.

Winnetka, IL? Jim Fruchterman ventured from the Chicago area years ago with dreams of 
achieving unique things and on June 5th he will return to Chicago as founder of the world’s largest 
online library for people with disabilities. 

A social entrepreneur and founder of non-profit organizations Arkenstone and Benetech, Mr. 
Fruchterman will visit The Hadley School for the Blind Monday, June 5th to discuss a possible 
collaboration between Hadley and Benetech.

A partnership would involve bringing an online library of more than 26,000 books including New 
York Times bestsellers and 200 daily newspapers to the fingertips and ears of blind readers. A 
proposed collaboration between Benetech and The Hadley School for the Blind would create such 
a library for Hadley students nationwide. Through the efforts of Benetech, Mr. Fruchterman 
launched two initiatives. The first, Bookshare.org, the largest online library of books. The second, 
Martus, which is technology that enables human rights workers to securely collect information on 
violations, helping activists fight injustice in 50 countries.

Arkenstone, founded in 1989, was the world’s largest provider of electronic reading systems for 
individuals with disabilities, servicing 35,000 individuals in 60 countries over its first ten years. A 
former Arlington Heights resident, Jim Fruchterman became frustrated when ideas for beneficial 
technology applications were not pursued when they did not produce huge financial returns. As a 
result he helped bridge the gap between possibility and profitability to serve disadvantaged 
communities, bringing new tools to people who need them most.

“This is a new direction and a unique opportunity for Hadley. It is our pleasure to welcome Mr. 
Fruchterman,” Hadley President Charles Young said. “We welcome his creativity and look 
forward to a possible partnership.”

Mr. Fruchterman will meet with the Hadley School’s Board of Trustees. He will be available for 
interviews 4:30 to 6 p.m., Monday, June 5th.