The Chicago Lighthouse has evolved into one of the most comprehensive private rehabilitation and educational facilities in the nation dedicated to assisting children, youth and adults who are blind, visually impaired or multi-disabled in leading richer, more independent lives. 

Lighthouse, which is celebrated its 104th year of service in 2010, is recognized nationally as well as globally for being an expert and model agency in the field of rehabilitation, and its staff act as consultants to individuals and organizations throughout the United States and abroad.

The agency is unique among many other organizations in the sheer diversity of its programs.  Housed under one roof at the Lighthouse’s main facility on Chicago’s near west side are the nation’s oldest low vision clinic; one of the few remaining clock manufacturing facilities in the U.S.; a nationally acclaimed school for children who are blind with multi-disabilities; a VA program serving veterans in all 50 states; and a radio station. 

Befitting its reputation as a trendsetter on blindness issues, The Lighthouse can point to a number of “firsts” in the Midwest including the first Low Vision Clinic, the first Center for Blind and Multi-Disabled Children, and the first Adaptive Technology Center for computer users.  Its Kane Legal Clinic, which helps blind people fight discrimination, is a role model for similar programs across the nation.

The Lighthouse’s 33 comprehensive, wrap-around menu of services address an individual’s changing needs across a lifetime from infancy to old age.  It offers innovative programs for children, adults and seniors alike!

The agency serves over 89,000 persons in its programs, in levels of involvement ranging from provision of information and referral by telephone to provision of intensive educational, training and rehabilitation programs.  More than 200 people participate daily in the programs at the Lighthouse’s main facility. 

The agency's clients, including people from Northern Indiana and other states that require our programs, reside in the greater Chicago metropolitan area.  It is estimated that over 90% of the customers at The Lighthouse are legally blind, with over 50% of our customers having additional disabilities.

To ensure that Lighthouse programs and services are accessible, they are offered through a number of formats, including a central facility, satellite locations, homes and various community settings, as well as through telephone contact.

Although other agencies around the country are called "Lighthouse for the Blind" they are not affiliated.  However, 85 blind service agencies belong to the umbrella organization, National Industries for the Blind (NIB), which develops and facilitates contracts to the agencies producing products for the federal government. 

In keeping with its national leadership role to promote employment opportunities and other services for people who are blind or visually impaired, The Lighthouse has become an outspoken advocate, pushing for favorable state and federal legislation. The agency is currently leading an effort to strengthen federal laws that promote the purchase of goods and services from organizations that serve people who are blind or visually impaired. Among those we have worked with are President Obama and Chicago Mayor Daley.