Durward K. McDaniel Ambassador Award: Allan Peterson
The Durward K. McDaniel Ambassador Award is given in recognition of a blind person who may or may not be a member of a blindness organization but who has, through his or her personal characteristics and activities, unrelated to his/her employment, contributed most to the acceptance and understanding of blind people as capable, contributing members of the community.
Presented to Allan Peterson in recognition of his many years of service to ACB and numerous other community organizations.
James R. Olsen Distinguished Service Award: Kim Crowell
The James R. Olsen Distinguished Service Award is periodically given to individuals who have made important contributions which have advanced opportunities for the blind community. This award can be given to an individual or an organization.
Presented to Kim Crowell of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in recognition of her leadership in making the museum a model of accessibility for all disabilities.
Affiliate Outreach Award: Friends ’n Focus Chapter, Medina, Ohio
The Affiliate Outreach Award is based on a recommendation by an affiliate president, which recognizes a local chapter for a new outreach program. This program must have a measurable outcome.
Presented to Friends ’n Focus Chapter, Medina, Ohio
For their over 60 collections and distributions of CCTVs to Ohioans with low vision.
The Ned E. Freeman Excellence in Writing Award: Nicholas Giudice
The Ned E. Freeman Excellence in Writing Award was instituted in 1970, and is awarded to the author of an article that demonstrates excellence in writing, novelty of approach and/or originality of the subject matter.
Presented to Nicholas Giudice for “COVID-19 and Blindness,” which describes the challenges blind people are facing during the pandemic.
Vernon Henley Media Award: U.S. Presidential Inaugural Committee, Martin Wilde and Bridget Melton
The Vernon Henley Media Award is intended to be a vehicle for publicizing ACB throughout the general media and to encourage excellence and accuracy in electronic and print coverage of items relating to blindness.
Presented to the U.S. Presidential Inaugural Committee, Martin Wilde and Bridget Melton for their commitment to accessibility by providing extensive, unprecedented audio description coverage for the events of the 2021 Presidential Inauguration of Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris.
Hollis Liggett Braille Free Press Award: Sally Benjamin and the Florida Council of the Blind
The Hollis Liggett Braille Free Press Award is intended to promote best journalistic practices and excellence in writing in publications of ACB’s state and special-interest affiliates.
Presented to Sally Benjamin and the Florida Council of the Blind for affiliate newsletter excellence.
Affiliate Growth Award: ACB Next Generation
The Affiliate Growth Awards are based on the greatest increase in membership, as determined by the 2020-2021 membership reports.
Presented to ACB Next Generation in recognition of the largest percentage of membership increase in 2021.
Affiliate Growth Award: Blind Information Technology Specialists (BITS)
The Affiliate Growth Awards are based on the greatest increase in membership, as determined by the 2020-2021 membership reports.
Presented to Blind Information Technology Specialists in recognition of the largest number of new members in 2021.