Visual Impairments
Accessible Virtual Field Trips: Participatory Approaches to Inclusion and Student Leadership

Visual Impairments
The Deborah D. Hatton Outstanding Dissertation of the Year Award is to recognize a DVIDB member who makes a significant contribution to the field through extensive study and research in their summative doctoral dissertation.
Award Details:
The Deborah D. Hatton Outstanding Dissertation of the Year Award is to recognize a DVIDB member who makes a significant contribution to the field through extensive study and research in their summative doctoral dissertation.
The Deborah D. Hatton Outstanding Dissertation of the Year Award is to recognize a DVIDB member who makes a significant contribution to the field through extensive study and research in their summative doctoral dissertation.
- Fill out the following form: https://forms.gle/oNhd2GfjcQWEbBfR8
- Provide at least 1 letter of support (no more than 2 pages) describing why you are nominating the person. Feel free to add any additional information that you feel will add to the description and qualifications of your nominee for the award.
- * For Dissertation of the Year: Please provide an abbreviated (No more than 25 pages) version of the dissertation for the committee. One letter of support MUST come from the advisor of the student.
*Please note that an individual may only be nominated for two consecutive years for this award.
2022 | Marina McCormick |
2021 | Rachel Schles |
2020 | L. Beth Brady |
2019 | DeEtte Snyder |
2018 | Karen Koehler |
2017 | Kathleen Farrand |
2016 | Ellen Bowman |
2015 | Mackenzie Savaiano |
2014 | Jane Brown |
2013 | Vicki DePountis |
2012 | Tiffany Wild |
2011 | Tessa McCarthy |
2010 | Sinnika Smothers |
2009 | Stacy Kelley |
2008 | Derrick Smith |
2003 | Grace Lappin |
2001 | Sheila Amato |
2000 | Ellyn Ross |
1998 | Linda Mamer |
1997 | L. Penny Rosenblum |
1996 | Carol Allman |
1995 | Madeline Milian-Perrone |
1994 | Stuart Wittenstein |
1993 | KC Dignan |
1992 | Elizabeth Erwin |
Visual Impairments
The DVIDB Virginia M. Sowell Student of the Year Award recognizes a student who demonstrates a commitment to the education and/or rehabilitation of individuals with visual impairments and deafblindness. The award was named after Dr. Virginia Sowell whose lifetime contributions to the profession impacted the lives of numerous educators and countless children and adults with visual impairments and deafblindness.
Award Details:
The DVIDB Virginia M. Sowell Student of the Year Award recognizes a student who demonstrates a commitment to the education and/or rehabilitation of individuals with visual impairments and deafblindness. The award was named after Dr. Virginia Sowell whose lifetime contributions to the profession impacted the lives of numerous educators and countless children and adults with visual impairments and deafblindness.
The DVIDB Virginia M. Sowell Student of the Year Award recognizes a student who demonstrates a commitment to the education and/or rehabilitation of individuals with visual impairments and deafblindness. The award was named after Dr. Virginia Sowell whose lifetime contributions to the profession impacted the lives of numerous educators and countless children and adults with visual impairments and deafblindness.
- Fill out the following form: https://forms.gle/oNhd2GfjcQWEbBfR8
- Provide at least 1 letter of support (no more than 2 pages) describing why you are nominating the person. Feel free to add any additional information that you feel will add to the description and qualifications of your nominee for the award.
2022 | Becky Morton |
2021 | Katherine Ericson |
2020 | Ying-Ting Chiu |
2019 | Tara Brown-Ogilvie |
2018 | Carlie Rhoads |
2017 | Karen Koehler |
2016 | Jessica Kolvites |
2015 | Adam Wilton |
2014 | Mackenzie Savaiano |
2013 | Tara Mason |
2012 | Trenisha Reynolds |
2011 | Tara McCarthy |
2010 | Frances Mary D'Andrea |
2009 | Stacey Kelly |
2008 | Susie Thomas |
2006 | Carol Evans |
2005 | Effie Laman |
2004 | Shelley Rhodes |
2003 | Derrick Smith |
2000 | Sheila Amato |
1999 | Amy Edmonds |
1998 | Susan Adams |
1997 | Chad Simmons |
1996 | L. Penny Rosenblum |
1994 | Terry Pastel |
1991 | Julia Ashley |
Visual Impairments
The DVIDB Teacher of the Year Award honors a person who is exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable and a skilled certified Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments or Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist in any state approved or accredited day or specialized school, who serves students who are visually impaired, ages birth through 21, with or without additional disabilities.
Award Details:
The DVIDB Teacher of the Year Award honors a person who is exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable and a skilled certified Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments or Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist in any state approved or accredited day or specialized school, who serves students who are visually impaired, ages birth through 21, with or without additional disabilities.
The DVIDB Teacher of the Year Award honors a person who is exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable and a skilled certified Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments or Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist in any state approved or accredited day or specialized school, who serves students who are visually impaired, ages birth through 21, with or without additional disabilities.
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Fill out the following form: https://forms.gle/oNhd2GfjcQWEbBfR8
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Provide at least 1 letter of support (no more than 2 pages) describing why you are nominating the person. Feel free to add any additional information that you feel will add to the description and qualifications of your nominee for the award.
2022 | Emily Maginn, OH |
2021 | Tim Lockwood, NE |
2020 | Robin Finley, OH |
2019 | Carady Holguin, KS |
2018 | Barb Johnson, NE |
2017 | Paula Tapia, AL |
2016 | Rachel Schles, VA |
2015 | Karen Koehler, OH |
2014 | Karyn Goldman, PA |
2013 | Wendy Watts, TX |
2012 | Cristal White Smith, AL |
2011 | Meredith McArdle, MD |
2010 | Dr. Sinnika Smothers, AL |
2009 | Barbara Johnson |
2008 | Cindy Mock |
2007 | Dr. Sheila Amato |
2006 | Susan Osterhaus |
2005 | Keely Hipp |
2004 | Bonnie Lawrence |
2003 | Judy Cernkovich |
Visual Impairments
The DVIDB Exemplary Advocate Award is to recognize exemplary leadership and commitment to the field of education and rehabilitation of students with visual impairments and deafblindness.
Award Details:
The DVIDB Exemplary Advocate Award is to recognize exemplary leadership and commitment to the field of education and rehabilitation of students with visual impairments and deafblindness.
The DVIDB Exemplary Advocate Award is to recognize exemplary leadership and commitment to the field of education and rehabilitation of students with visual impairments and deafblindness.
- Fill out the following form: https://forms.gle/oNhd2GfjcQWEbBfR8
- Provide at least 1 letter of support (no more than 2 pages) describing why you are nominating the person. Feel free to add any additional information that you feel will add to the description and qualifications of your nominee for the award.
2022 | Dr. L. Penny Rosenblum |
2021 | Mark Richert |
2020 | Stacy Kelly |
2019 | Rebecca Sheffield |
2018 | Olaya Landa-Vialard |
2017 | Linda Alsop |
2016 | Teresa Lacy |
2015 | Glinda Hill |
2014 | Tanni Anthony |
2013 | Jim Fruchterman |
2012 | Dan Callahan |
2011 | Kim Charlson |
2010 | The American Printing House for the Blind |
2009 | Olegario D. Cantos, VII |
2008 | Peter Sullivan and Neal Kuniansky |
2007 | Pete Stabnick |
2006 | Charles Freeman |
2005 | Dr. Mimi Berman and Marvin Sandler |
2004 | Dr. Sy Hoffman |
2003 | Nancy Safer |
2002 | Bill East |
2001 | Abraham Nemeth |
2000 | Mark Goodkin |
1998 | Richard Umsted |
1996 | Joan Baker |
1991 | President Jimmy Carter |
Visual Impairments
The DVIDB Distinguished Service Award is to recognize exemplary leadership and commitment to the field of education and rehabilitation of students with visual impairments and deafblindness.
Award Details:
The DVIDB Distinguished Service Award is to recognize exemplary leadership and commitment to the field of education and rehabilitation of students with visual impairments and deafblindness.
The DVIDB Distinguished Service Award is to recognize exemplary leadership and commitment to the field of education and rehabilitation of students with visual impairments and deafblindness.
- Fill out the following form: https://forms.gle/oNhd2GfjcQWEbBfR8
- Provide at least 1 letter of support (no more than 2 pages) describing why you are nominating the person. Feel free to add any additional information that you feel will add to the description and qualifications of your nominee for the award.
2022 | Dr. Susan Bruce |
2021 | Dr. Nora Griffin-Shirley |
2020 | Sandra Rosen |
2019 | Laura Bozeman |
2018 | Sandy Lewis |
2017 | Deborah Hatton |
2016 | Alana Zambone |
2015 | Rona Pogrund |
2014 | Sheila Amato |
2013 | Ellen Trief |
2012 | Carol Allison |
2011 | Rona A. Shaw |
2010 | David Ross |
2009 | Cay Holbrook |
2008 | Penny Rosenblum |
2007 | Donna McNear |
2006 | Stuart Wittenstein |
2005 | Lou Tutt |
2004 | Kevin Lessard |
2003 | Philip Hatlen |
2002 | Lou Alonso |
2001 | Susan Spungin |
2000 | Mary Jean Sanspree |
1999 | Bob Brasher |
1998 | Rosanne Silberman |
1997 | Alan Koenig |
1996 | Herb Miller |
1995 | Kay Ferrell |
1994 | Randall Harley |
1993 | Virginia Sowell |
1992 | Evelyn Rex |
1991 | Dean Tuttle |
1990 | Sam Ashcroft |
1989 | Berthold Lowenfeld |
1988 | Ralph Peabody |
1987 | Anne Corn |
1986 | Marjorie Ward |
1985 | Charles Woodcock |
1984 | Natalie Barraga |
American Printing House for the Blind (APH)

APH is committed to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in everything we do. These core values are fundamental to the way we work, and are foundational to both the physical products we create and the intangible services and experiences we provide. Universal design is design and composition that can be accessed, understood, and used to the greatest extent possible by all people, regardless of their age or abilities. This is our goal when working to serve the needs of those with no vision, low vision, deafblindess, and CVI.
From tools for the home and classroom, to resources for educators
APH ConnectCenter

APH ConnectCenter offers three targeted websites – FamilyConnect: focused on the developmental and educational needs of children; APH CareerConnect: focused on career exploration, transition to college, career, and community, and maintaining employment; and VisonAware: focused on adjustment to vison loss through the stories of adults successfully living with blindness and low vison. The APH ConnectCenter websites offer a wide variety of blogs, articles, webinars and recordings about thriving with blindness and low vision across all ages and stages. In addition to the websites, the APH
Perkins School for the Blind

Perkins School for the Blind's on campus programs serve students with visual impairments, CVI and deafblindness from birth through age 22. Our teachers are experts in working with a broad range of multiple disabilities and implement the Expanded Core Curriculum- helping students access core academics and acquire the social and independent living skills their sighted peers learn incidentally. Since 1829, we have been preparing children and young adults with the education, confidence and skills they need to reach their full potential.
Off campus itinerant teachers of students with visual