It is time to honor the wonderful people of our field who do so much to ensure our students are
receiving access to the education they deserve as well as the services they need. Please take time
to honor an amazing person in your life. We have five awards that we like to give out each
year. Nominations are easy.
DVIDB Distinguished Service Award:
The DVIDB Distinguished Service Award recognizes exemplary leadership and commitment to
the education and rehabilitation of students with visual impairments and deafblindness.
Exemplary Advocate Award:
The DVIDB Exemplary Advocate Award recognizes exemplary advocacy and commitment to the
education and rehabilitation of students with visual impairments and deafblindness.
Teacher of the Year Award:
The DVIDB Teacher of the Year Award honors a person who is an exceptionally dedicated,
knowledgeable, and skilled certified Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments or a Certified
Orientation and Mobility Specialist in any state-approved or accredited day or specialized school
who serves students who are visually impaired, ages birth through 21, with or without additional
disabilities.
Virginia M. Sowell Student of the Year Award:
The DVIDB Virginia M. Sowell Student of the Year Award recognizes a student who
demonstrates a commitment to the education and/or rehabilitation of individuals with visual
impairments and deafblindness. The award was named after Dr. Virginia Sowell, whose lifetime
contributions to the profession impacted the lives of numerous educators and countless children
and adults with visual impairments and deafblindness.
Outstanding Dissertation of the Year Award:
The DVIDB Dissertation of the Year Award is to recognize a DVIDB member who makes a
significant contribution to the field through extensive study and research in their summative
doctoral dissertation.
To Make a Nomination:
1. Fill out the DVIDB Award Nomination Form 2024-2025
2. Provide at least one letter of support (no more than two pages) describing why you are
nominating the person. Feel free to add any additional information that you feel will add
to the description and qualifications of your nominee for the award.
3. *** For Dissertation of the Year: Please provide an abbreviated (No more than 25 pages)
version of the dissertation for the committee. One letter of support MUST come from the
student's advisor.
Please use this DVIDB Award Nomination Form 2024-2025
If this Google form is inaccessible to you, please email Kathy Stanfa this completed Nomination
Form and accompanying supporting documents at stanfa@kutztown.edu
