It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Camille Caffarelli, our Executive Director. Camille passed away at her home on May 29, 2020, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Horizons for the Blind was founded in 1977 by Camille. Blind since birth, she realized even as a child that experiencing life and interacting with the world should not be limited to those who viewed things in traditional ways.
From two volunteers working out of her basement in Chicago, Horizons has grown to be a leading provider of transcription services to the blind and visually impaired community.
Advocating for equal accessibility and employment opportunities for blind and visually impaired people was Camille’s passion and life’s work through Horizons.
This passion was not based in sympathy or feeling sorry for people with disabilities, but in a strong belief and commitment to independence and the equality of all people..
Camille said this a few years ago at Horizons’ 40th Anniversary celebration:
“One of the most unique things about Horizons is that we all work as a team equally – people who are blind, low vision and sighted. No one group is ever treated better than the rest. By joining the pluses of these three groups, we have grown and created an environment which works for everyone. And we’ve spread this across the country.”
A memorial gathering will be held on Wednesday June 17, 2020 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Willow Funeral Home & Cremation Care 1415 W. Algonquin Rd., (one mile east of Randall Rd.) Algonquin/Lake in the Hills.
Interment will be held privately at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Horizons for the Blind, 125 Erick St., A103, Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014.