Hadley School Wins Prestigious Technology Award

Winnetka? On Saturday, March 10, Lumity presented The Hadley School for the Blind with the 
2007 Runner-Up Technology Leadership Award, presented by Accenture, for its interactive online 
braille courses that use braillewriter and slate and stylus simulator software.

The black tie affair, held at the Museum of Science and Industry, was a celebration and fundraiser 
for Lumity, a nonprofit formerly known as IT Resource Center, where they recognized the 2007 
technology leadership award winners. This year’s theme was “Cracking the Code.” 

Hadley School curriculum designer Ruth Rozen designed courses like “Introduction to Braille” 
and “Contracted Braille” prior to Andre Lukatsky, director of computer services, developing the 
concept, designing the online simulators and then implementing the design into the courses.

“The day we came up with the idea to put our braille-instruction courses online was a momentous 
day,” Rozen said. “We created a unique and motivating way to learn braille, and we knew we were 
onto something special. That's what kept us going through all the problem-solving and revisions it 
took to make the online simulators and the content work smoothly. It’s so rewarding to see the 
incredible success of these courses in teaching people to use braille and promote braille literacy.”

“Hadley started teaching braille by mail in 1920 – and we still do today, 87 years later,” said 
Lukatsky. “The breakthrough Web-integrated braille simulator software allows us to do it more 
effectively and efficiently than the mail approach of the original Hadley courses. It's a great honor 
for the Hadley School to be recognized by Lumity for using technology to teach braille online."

The program teaches families and professionals to read and write braille so they can communicate 
with their blind relatives and clients. The Hadley School will receive a $2,500 grant from 
Accenture, a one-year Lumity membership including $2,000 worth of consulting services and a 
donation of Microsoft Software.

Hadley, 700 Elm St., Winnetka, is a distance education school that serves over 10,000 students 
annually in all 50 states and 100 countries. All courses are offered free of charge to those who are 
blind or visually impaired. Hadley relies on contributions from individuals, foundations and 
corporations to fund its programs.

Lumity is a nonprofit organization that catalyzes Chicago’s nonprofit community to do more good 
work.