AER Awards
Awards
Every other year AER recognizes and celebrates its outstanding members and chapters. The 2026 Awards Committee seeks nominations for this year’s awards that embody the spirit and achievements of the following giants in the field of blindness and visual impairment.
Take advantage of this opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate an outstanding colleague or chapter. Click on the name of the Award to submit your nomination.
Outstanding Chapter Award
The AER Outstanding Chapter Award recognizes a chapter whose membership efforts have been outstanding. Criteria can include: increase in the number of members; number and quality of services and/or programs offered by the chapter; and legislative activity...
Richard L. Welsh Chapter Leadership Award
The Richard L. Welsh Chapter Leadership Award was established to recognize professionals who have contributed outstanding efforts in AER chapter leadership. Nominees will demonstrate activity and achievement, either past or current, in the role of AER President-Elect,...
Ambrose Shotwell Memorial Award
The Ambrose M. Shotwell Memorial Award was established to honor an individual who has made significant outstanding contributions to the personal adjustment or rehabilitation of adults who are blind or visually impaired. These leadership contributions have had an...
John H. McAulay Award
The John H. McAulay Award was established to honor professionals who have contributed outstanding efforts and achievements leading to the placement of people with visual impairments in productive employment. Submit a Nomination for the AER 2026 Awards Past...
Douglas MacFarland Award
The Douglas C. MacFarland Award was established to honor an individual who has provided leadership in the field of blindness and visual impairment and who made innovative, significant or outstanding contributions to the education or rehabilitation of people who are...
C. Warren Bledsoe Award
The Warren Bledsoe Award is given in recognition of a particularly noteworthy piece of literature in the field of blindness. Submit a Nomination for the AER 2026 Awards Past Winners In recognition of significant contributions to literature in the field of...
Mary K. Bauman Award
The Mary K. Bauman Award was established in 1982 in order to honor an individual who has made significant and outstanding contributions to the education of children and youth who are blind or visually impaired. Submit a Nomination for the AER 2026 Awards Past...
Alfred Allen Award
The Alfred Allen Award was established by AAWB, one of AER’s two predecessor organizations, to honor professionals who have spent their careers in direct service to individuals with visual impairments. Submit a Nomination for the AER 2026 Awards Past Winners In...