AER National Awards

Education Curriculum Division

The Joyce Mae Ogburn Award

The Joyce Mae Ogburn Award was established to recognize an individual who has demonstrated excellence in teaching and/or service to children with visual impairments through all or a substantial combination of the following:

The Publication Education Award

The Publication Award is given to an individual for the creation of an innovative curriculum or other instruction-related publication intended to further the education of students who are blind or visually impaired.

Orientation & Mobility Division Awards

The Orientation and Mobility Citation of Excellence for Direct Service

The award was to be presented to a “younger” member of the profession whose excellent teaching skills and professional participation foretold of a promising career.

The Lawrence E. Blaha Memorial Award

Honoring outstanding contributions to the O&M profession, and who are passionate and dedicated to the profession of Orientation and Mobility. It is the highest honor that the O&M Division can bestow.

Sandy Kronick Distinguished Service Award

In 1994, the Kronick Award was established to recognize professionals who demonstrate distinguished service in O&M through a long term commitment to direct service.

Robert M. Lambert, Ph.D., Memorial Award

Presented to a leader in the profession, a provider of outstanding service in meeting the psychosocial needs of people who are blind and visually impaired, and someone who has made significant contributions to the lives of the professionals working with persons who are blind and visually impaired, as well as to the adults and children who receive these services.

VRT Division Awards

Bruce McKenzie Award, Rising Star Award, and Meritorious Achievement Award

The Bruce McKenzie award is a biennial award established by the VRT Division to honor Bruce McKenzie for his pioneering leadership in the field of rehabilitation teaching. It is the Division’s highest award, presented to an exemplary individual for outstanding contributions to the field of rehabilitation teaching and independent living services. It is the Division’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Elizabeth Lennon Award for Meritorious Achievement

The award shall be presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the profession of Vision Rehabilitation Therapy, Rehabilitation Teaching, general rehabilitation, or community affairs. Such contributions may be in the form of published materials, presentations, leadership experiences, or work history.

The Alice Raftary Rising Star Award

The award shall be presented to an individual who demonstrates potential for exceptional leadership and is expected to provide a unique and lasting contribution to the field of Vision Rehabilitation Therapy.

The Susan and Paul Ponchillia VRT Publication Award

This award was established in 2008 to honor VRT Division members who have written and published for the benefit of the field and the enhancement of our knowledge base.

The VRT Division is offering a Publication Award to recognize a VRT Division member whose publication contributes highly to the field of Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. Submissions may include, but are not limited to, journal articles, books, chapters of books, and development of or significant contributions to websites. This award carries a $250 honorarium to further encourage VRT Division members to write and publish.

Other Awards:

Mary K. Bauman Award:

Honoring a person who has made a significant contribution in the education of children with visual impairments

Douglas C. MacFarland Award:

Honoring a person who has provided leadership in the field of blind and low vision and is now retired

Alfred Allen Award:

Honoring a person who has dedicated their entire career to working in direct services to the blind and visually impaired

Ambrose M. Shotwell Award:

Honoring a professional who has made a significant contribution to to the personal adjustment of rehabilitation to a blind or visually impaired individual

John H. McAulay Award:

Outstanding achievement in the placement of blind and visually impaired in employment

C. Warren Bledsoe Award:

Honoring a person who has written a particularly noteworthy piece of literature in the field of blindness and low vision

Outstanding AER Chapter Award