Timelines are at best subjective structuring of an individual’s life and career. The timeline below is such a structure and does not purport to set forth the totality of Durward McDaniel’s 78 years.
1915: Born November 27 in Cross County, Okla.
1930: Lost vision in oil field accident. Subsequently attended Oklahoma School for the Blind.
1939: Member, Oklahoma Council of the Blind, until 1994.
1944: Received undergraduate and law degrees from University of Oklahoma. Practiced law in Oklahoma City for 24 years; admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.
1947: President, Oklahoma Council of the Blind, until 1950.
1949: Co-founder, Oklahoma League for the Blind.
1953: Founder, LASS Federal Credit Union, serving the blind.
1961: Charter member, nascent American Council of the Blind.
1968: ACB national office established in Washington, D.C. Appointed first ACB national representative; served until retirement in 1981.
1969: First ACB special-interest affiliates formed.
1974: Board member, National Industries for the Blind; to 1975 and 1981 to 1983.
1981: Legal counsel, Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, until 1994. Succeeded as national representative by Oral Miller. Served on ACB board. Subsequently relocated to Austin, Texas.
1991: Awarded Migel Medal from American Foundation for the Blind for outstanding service to the blind and visually impaired
.
1993: Received Presidential Distinguished Service Award.
1994: Died September 6 in Austin, Texas.
1996: DKM Ambassador Award and DKM First-Timers Award approved by ACB board.
2002: Inducted posthumously into Hall of Fame: Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field.