Each fall at the annual state conference, special recognition is given to outstanding individuals who have demonstrated high standards of professionalism and service to individuals who are blind or visually impaired in New York State.
NOW is the time to nominate a deserving person for one of the following awards! Please read the description of each award closely before submitting a name for nomination. When you have identified an appropriate award, please fill out the Google Form below. Remember, you must be a current member of NYSAER in order to submit a nomination. Make sure to include a letter indicating why that person is deserving of the award - explain why they should be recognized for their contributions to the field! Additionally, it is helpful if you include several letters of recommendation along with your nomination. Letters to support your nomination are very important - they can be written by colleagues, supervisors/administrators, clients, students, parents, etc. The more letters we receive, the better, since the award recipient will receive all the letters written on their behalf.
In the past, we asked that letters be uploaded to this Google form. Numerous applicants had difficulty with this submission. Therefore, we will gather the basic information on this form, but letters must be emailed to NYSAERAwards@gmail.com.
We also ran into difficulties in the past with recipients not having enough time to arrange with their employers to attend the Awards Dinner. Therefore, the deadline to submit nominations has been moved up--don't let July 30 pass you by!
Here are the awards we will be accepting nominations for this year: (Nominations must be turned in by July 30th)
1. VERONICA GILLIGAN/ANNE YEADON MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT
The recipient must have worked with persons who are visually impaired for at least 3 years. This nominee must be employed at least half time working with persons in New York State who are visually impaired. The nominee must be someone who has made an outstanding contribution in the work with persons in New York State who are visually impaired. This contribution may have been made at any level of service. Membership in NYSAER is not required.
2. GEORGE E. KEANE AWARD
The recipient of this award must have worked with persons who are visually impaired for a minimum of 20 years at the time of the presentation, and must be employed, at least half time, in New York State at the time of the nomination and be a member of NYSAER. Through the years this award has been given to men and women whose work has been of benefit to New York State and has influenced the national scene.
3. NAT SEAMAN RECOGNITION AWARD
Recipients of the Nat Seaman Award may be from any field of work with people with disabilities. Membership in NYSAER is not required. Selection will be based on interest in persons with disabilities and visual handicaps, practices which have influenced work with disabled people, and performance in furthering the cause of disabled and/or visually impaired people. The nominee must be someone who has made an outstanding contribution in work with people with visual impairments in New York State. This contribution may have been made at any level of service and has included volunteers, legislators, eye care professionals and support staff.
4. ANN RANGE CHILDREN'S AWARD
Recipient of the Ann Range award must be a current member of NYSAER. Requirements are a minimum of 5 years of work with children who are visually impaired and must be employed at least 50% of the time working with children. The nominee must be a person who has demonstrated dedication and commitment to teaching and advocating for the needs of children who are blind and visually impaired in New York State.
We look forward to receiving your nominations!