The Chicago Lighthouse was founded in 1906 by a group of blind and sighted women.  Its original purpose was to improve the potential for independent living and to enhance the quality of life for persons with visual impairments.  Food, clothing, housing and financial assistance were provided.

In 1910, a sheltered workshop was established to give persons who were blind the opportunity to earn money and achieve self-support.  Some early contracts entailed the weaving of wicker bicycle baskets and baby buggies and the assembly of components of Westinghouse switchboards.  Social programs were also put into place, at this time, to complement the work program.

Placement of persons with visual impairments in competitive industry was an early goal of The Chicago Lighthouse.  In 1918, in fact, 46 persons were placed in jobs with private industry.

In 1946, vocational training programs were established in industrial training and transcription typing, initially to meet the needs of veterans of World War II.  The leading occupations for persons who were blind at that time were factory workers, typists, darkroom technicians and newspaper vendors.  If the person had obtained college degrees, education, social work, rehabilitation and law were the leading fields of employment.

In 1955, The Chicago Lighthouse moved to its new location at 1850 West Roosevelt Road.  In 1957, the Low Vision Clinic was established as the first of its kind in the Midwest.  Additional innovative programs were added as community needs were identified: the Children’s Development Center in 1969; the Birth-to-Three Early Intervention Program in 1971; Vocational Evaluation, Word Processing Training, Information and Referral, and specialized services for persons who were deaf-blind in 1974-1975; the Adaptive Technology Center in 1983.

Upon completion of construction on our new building in 1993, programs were able to expand and diversify to meet the needs of their customers.  Child and adult day training programs increased their capacities.  Additional job training and placement services were initiated through grants from government and private sources.  The Low Vision Clinic improved its examination areas and capacity, as well as affiliating with hospitals in the community.  Advocacy and counseling services were expanded.  A store was established to demonstrate and sell assistive devices for everyday living.

In 2006, The Chicago Lighthouse celebrated the milestone of its 100th anniversary.  The year was commemorated with a Centennial Ball and an educational symposium, as well as honoring those who have had an impact on making the Lighthouse what it is today, one of the nation’s most comprehensive private rehabilitation and education agency serving people who are blind or visually impaired, including individuals with additional disabilities.