AFB Names 2026 Migel Medal Honorees
CONTACT: Tony Stephens, Assistant Vice-President, Communications 212.502.7627 | tstephens@afb.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 17, 2026) — The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) has announced that Kevin Lynch, Dr. Mona Minkara, and Dr. Joel Snyder are the recipients of the 2026 Migel Medal, the highest honor in the field of blindness.
"From the workplace to the laboratory to the stage and screen, this year's recipients of the Migel Medal have raised the tide of possibilities available to people who are blind or have low vision everywhere," said AFB President and CEO Eric Bridges. "Their collective leadership continues to carry AFB founder M.C. Migel's mission further into our second century of work, and for this, we celebrate their outstanding achievements."
The AFB Migel Medal was established in 1937 by the late M.C. Migel, AFB's first chairman, to honor professionals and volunteers whose dedication and achievements improve the lives of people who are blind or have low vision. The honorees will be formally recognized during a special evening awards ceremony on October 26 at the Downtown Marriott in Louisville, Kentucky, as part of the AFB Leadership Summit.
About the 2026 Migel Medal Honorees
Retiring in 2024 from his role as president and CEO of National Industries for the Blind (NIB), Kevin Lynch served for more than four decades in leadership roles that expanded employment opportunities for people who are blind or have low vision. Mr. Lynch joined NIB in 1994 as vice president of operations and was promoted to president and CEO in 2008. During his tenure at NIB, he launched innovative career pathways that provided greater opportunity and upward mobility for individuals who were blind through the AbilityOne Program. Under his leadership, NIB expanded its business and leadership training programs, offering them free of charge to blind and low vision employees across its network of associated nonprofits. Mr. Lynch also expanded NIB's business lines into e-commerce and retail establishments on military bases, increasing the number of job opportunities available through the AbilityOne Program.
Dr. Mona Minkara is an assistant professor in the Department of Bioengineering at Northeastern University, where she directs the COMBINE Lab. Having lost her sight at a young age, her scholarly pursuits and accomplishments have broken down misconceptions about people who are blind or have low vision, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Dr. Minkara is the founder of the Academy of Blind Scientists, which has created a positive narrative that empowers blind scholars while supporting the development of accessible tools and methodologies that advance science. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Florida in 2015, and her research has been supported by the Ford Foundation and the National Science Foundation.
Finally, Dr. Joel Snyder has long been recognized globally as one of the leading figures in the development and expansion of audio-described media. A pioneer in audio description, his work and advocacy span more than 45 years. His book, The Visual Made Verbal: A Comprehensive Training Manual and Guide to the History and Applications of Audio Description, has long been regarded as the authoritative text on the craft and has been published in seven languages. In 2009, Dr. Snyder, in partnership with the American Council of the Blind, founded the Audio Description Project, which serves as the leading repository of information about audio-described content for film, television, media, museums, and the performing arts. He has led sessions on the subject in more than 60 countries and continues to contribute to the field through his company, Audio Description Associates, LLC, and the Audio Description Institute.
Join AFB in celebrating these outstanding leaders at a special awards reception on the evening of October 26 in downtown Louisville, Kentucky.
For more details, visit www.afb.org/summit.
Founded in 1921, the American Foundation for the Blind creates equal opportunities and expands possibilities for people who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision through advocacy, thought leadership, and strategic partnerships. In addition to publishing the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB), AFB is also the proud steward of the Helen Keller Archive, which can be accessed on the AFB website at www.afb.org.