AFB Announces 2027 Helen Keller Achievement Awardees

  • Producer Joe Strechay and Athlete Richard Hunter Honored as Trailblazers for Inclusion
  • Waymo transforms mobility and independence

CONTACT: Tony Stephens, Assistant Vice President for Communications 917.676.5266 | tstephens@afb.org

NEW YORK, NEW YORK (November 5, 2026) — The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) announces this year’s champions for inclusion and independence who will be recognized during AFB’s annual Helen Keller Achievement Awards, which will be held at the Harvard Club of New York the evening of May 6, 2027.

This year's honorees include producer and advisor for film and television Joe Strechay, blind endurance runner and advocate Richard Hunter, and autonomous vehicle pioneer Waymo.

“This year’s recipients of the Helen Keller Achievement Award exemplify how the independence and inclusion of people who are blind can be brought to scale,” said AFB president and CEO Eric Bridges. “From driving positive perceptions around blindness to expanding mobility through driverless cars, each of our honorees this year has truly made progress on a global scale.”

Joe, a man wearing a suit, walks on a green carpet with his pink mobility cane at a Netflix Avatar: The Last Airbender event.

For over a decade, Joe Strechay has worked behind the scenes with filmmakers to advance authentic representations of blindness. His work with directors and producers on such major projects as Daredevil (2015-2018), All the Light We Cannot See (2022), and Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024-2026) has fostered a more positive perception of blindness. As such, Strechay’s contributions to television and film have informed global audiences about people who are blind and have low vision, deconstructing long-held stereotypes and tropes often exploited in the media.

Richard, a man wearing a yellow vest displaying the word ‘blind,’ runs in a race.

Diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease while in the Marine Corps, 2nd Lieutenant Richard Hunter was determined not to let his blindness hold him back. An avid runner, he pivoted his life’s work to becoming a warrior for wellness, advocating for greater inclusion of people with disabilities in endurance running and recreational walking. In addition to competing in the Ironman Triathlon, Hunter has competed in over 30 marathons, two 50-mile ultras, and one 100-miler. In partnership with the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI), Hunter established United in Stride in 2015, a database that pairs sighted volunteers with blind and low vision runners and walkers. This past year, Hunter worked to bring United in Stride under the umbrella of Achilles International, significantly scaling up the capacity for volunteer guides. Additionally, Hunter was a trailblazer in developing the Running Guides Program at Guiding Eyes for the Blind, where guide dogs are trained to run with their handlers, opening the door to independence.

The Waymo logo sits against a background depicting a bright, sunny day in the city.

Finally, AFB is pleased to recognize the corporation Waymo, which is leading the way toward the deployment of autonomous vehicles in cities across the country. Waymo is recognized for its continued engagement with blind and low vision consumers and stakeholder organizations, working to continually improve access to its services. Waymo was founded in 2016 after being spun off from Google’s driverless car project.

Since 1994, the Helen Keller Achievement Award has recognized the finest thought leaders, change-makers, and performing artists committed to carrying on Keller's mission to create a world of full and equal inclusion for people with disabilities. For over 40 years, Helen Keller was AFB's leading ambassador, inspiring millions worldwide as she demonstrated all that can be accomplished through determination and perseverance.

AFB continues to honor Keller's legacy by recognizing exceptional individuals and organizations from industry, education, and the arts who have distinguished themselves in pursuit of expanding possibilities for those who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision. Past honorees include Congressman Tony Coelho, tech leader and entrepreneur Bernard Newcomb, Chef Christine Ha, and performing artists Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder. Past corporate honorees include Apple, Netflix, T-Mobile, and JPMorgan Chase.

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 is available on the AFB website at www.afb.org.