The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Migel Medal Award, the highest honor in the blindness field. The Migel Medal Award was established in 1937 by M.C. Migel, the first chairperson of AFB, to honor those whose dedication and achievements have significantly improved the lives of people with vision loss. Past honorees include legendary disability rights advocate Helen Keller, Senator Tom Harkin, social entrepreneur and engineer Jim Fruchterman, and renowned educators Kathleen Mary Huebner, Ph.D., and Philip H. Hatlen, Ed.D. The 2023 winners were Scott Labarre, disability rights advocate, and Nancy D. Miller, former CEO of VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
The Migel Medal Awards Committee, a group of esteemed professionals in the field of blindness, selects two honorees each year. Nominees should be those whose work affects services on a national level. The first Migel Medal is bestowed to a professional in the field of blindness whose contributions have significantly improved the lives of people who are blind or have low vision. Prospective candidates include individuals with training and expertise in education, orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy, technology, personnel preparation, health, administration, or a related field.
The second Migel Medal is reserved for an individual who works outside the traditional field of blindness but whose career accomplishments or innovations significantly improve the lives of people who are blind or have low vision. This could include, but is not limited to, technology manufacturers, Congressional leaders, disability rights advocates, and others.
Nominations should be e-mailed to afblc@afb.org with "Migel Medal Nomination" in the subject line. Nominators should send a one-page description of the nominee and accomplishments and submit two letters of recommendation with the nomination from those familiar with their work. The deadline to submit nominations is June 21, 2024. The awards will be presented during AFB’s 2024 Leadership Conference.
Please take a moment to reflect and nominate a deserving friend or colleague. We look forward to receiving your nominations!
