In recent years, the BSCB has presented three awards during the banquet at the annual Spring Convention to individuals and organizations who have provided outstanding service to the Massachusetts blindness community. Descriptions of these awards are presented below. After that, beneficiaries from the most recent year back to 1996 are identified. As you will see, titles of the awards have varied somewhat over the years. Many thanks to Kim Charlson for compiling this comprehensive list, as well as for providing profiles for the 2020 recipients.

The Outstanding Service Award is given to an individual or organization that provides products or services of particular value to blind persons. This award is presented annually. The appropriate candidate is usually a company or individual who provides a tangible product or service.

The Community Access Award goes to an individual or an organization that has demonstrated a commitment to increased access for blind and visually impaired persons. This could be access to the printed word, transportation, the arts, employment, Etc. This award is presented at the discretion of the BSCB board of directors.

The Betty Gayzagian Advocacy Award goes to a BSCB member who has performed exemplary advocacy work. This can include those who have worked on national, statewide or local issues. This award is given out at the discretion of the BSCB Board of Directors.

Historical BSCB Award Recipients

2024

Community Access Award: Allyson Bieryla, Science Center Astronomy Lab and Telescope Manager, Harvard University, Astronomer, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Solar, Stellar, and Planetary Sciences Division Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian

In recognition of her commitment and dedication to accessibility, inclusion, and the expansion of opportunities and greater engagement in astronomy, eclipse understanding, and increased awareness of science and space by all people who are blind or have low vision

Outstanding Service Award: Paul Ruvolo, Olin College

In recognition of his innovative and creative approaches to accessibility, engineering and design for students at Olin College studying to make the world a more accessible place for everyone, especially for people who are blind or have low vision

Betty Gayzagian Advocacy Award: Tiny Kurys

In recognition of her commitment and dedication for over 30 years to providing peer support, consumer-based mentorship, guidance for adults experiencing vision loss from retinitis igmentosa and other retinal diseases in Massachusetts and beyond

2023

Outstanding Service Award: Joseph Sullivan

Recognized for his development of the Duxbury Braille Translator software, the world’s leading software for producing braille, for over 190 different languages

Community Access Award: Joseph Kolb

Recognized for his forty-plus year career as an orientation and mobility instructor, he has facilitated the independence of well over 1000 individuals who are blind to travel independently and safely in the community

Community Access Award: Elizabeth Koh, Reporter, The Boston Globe

Recognized for her investigative reporting and exposure of the leadership concerns at the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind

Betty Gayzagian Advocacy Award: James (Jim) Badger

Recognizing his leadership in his role as SEIU 509 representative at the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind during COVID and the closing of two regional MCB offices demonstrating a significant amount of personal courage

2022

Community Access Award: ACB Community & ACB Media

Recognized jointly for their amazing efforts in bringing people together through the wide ranging topics of the Community calls and ACB Media programming together they have changed the present and future landscape of how ACB and its affiliates can reach out, communicate and maintain connections with people who are blind or have low vision

The Betty Gayzagian Advocacy Award: Tyler Littlefield

Recognized for his development of a fully accessible tracker of COVID-19 statistics as a resource for those who are blind or have low vision

Outstanding Service Award: Heather Thomas

Recognized for her many years of service at the Carroll Center for the Blind where she worked as an Assistive Technology Instructor, teaching hundreds of blind and low vision consumers of all ages to use screen readers and screen magnification technologies.

2021

Community Access Award: Disability Law Center, Inc.

In recognition of its commitment and dedication to accessibility, the protection of civil rights, and the expansion of opportunities, and greater inclusion in society for Massachusetts residents and all others nationwide who are blind or have low vision

Community Access Award: Boston Symphony Orchestra: Boston Pops Holiday Concert 2020

In recognition of its innovative and creative introduction to the provision of Audio Description services for the 2020 Holiday Pops Concert series, and its commitment to ongoing access for people who are blind or have low vision

Betty Gayzagian Advocacy Award: Cheryl Cumings, President & Founder,

Our Space, Our Place, Inc.

In recognition of her innovative and creative leadership in the provision of peer-based mentorship after-school programs and career exploration services for children and youth in the Greater Boston area and beyond, and her visionary commitment to make more opportunities available for all students who are blind or have low vision, especially those from minority communities.

2020

Community Access Award: Karen Santiago

In recognition of her commitment and dedication to all aspects of the production and distribution of the Blind Perspective, an online and audio publication for the blindness community

Outstanding Service Award: Hannah Fairbairn

In appreciation of her distinguished career providing rehabilitation teaching services for hundreds of newly blind individuals at the Carroll Center for the Blind; and in recognition of the publication of her book “When You Can’t Believe Your Eyes: Vision Loss and Personal Recovery”

Betty Gayzagian Award: Nona Haroyan

In recognition of her numerous contributions in service to the Greater Worcester Blindness Community, and for her tireless advocacy in support of the family of a teen to get him admitted to Perkins, and for her work in the area of assistive technology access for people with vision loss in Central Massachusetts

Community Access Award: Memorial Foundation for the Blind

In recognition of its commitment and dedication to the provision of specialized programs and services in Central Massachusetts and beyond for all people who are blind or have low vision.

2019

Community Access Award (two recipients): Huntington Theatre Company – Meg O’Brien, for expanding access to live theater through audio description.

Greater Boston Legal Services Inc. – Dan Manning and Alexa Rosenbloom, for providing excellent legal representation to increase access to services in the Boston area

Outstanding Service Award: Sassy Outwater-Wright for her leadership of the Massachusetts Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI) and establishing its VIBRANT program

Betty Gayzagian Advocacy Award: Bruce Howell, for his work at the Carroll Center to improve web accessibility, and his effective chairmanship of the MCB Rehabilitation Council

2018

Community Access Award: James Izatt and The Worcester Talking Book Library, for his commitment and dedication to the provision of specialized library-based technology access programs in Central Massachusetts

Outstanding Service Award: Paul Saner, for his leadership and management of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind As Its Commissioner since August 2013

Betty Gayzagian Advocacy Award: Vicki Vogt, for her dedication, advocacy, and hard work on all issues surrounding audio description

2017

Community Access Award: Vince Lombardi and Audio Journal, for his commitment and dedication to the provision of specialized information access programs and audio description services in Central Massachusetts and beyond

Betty Gayzagian Advocacy Award: Deann Elliott, for her dedication, determination, leadership and hard work on issues of importance to people with disabilities

Outstanding Service Award: Venkatesh Chari and Orbit Research, for his engineering breakthroughs and design initiatives to create products to make the world more accessible

2016

Community Access Award: Lawrence Raymond, for his leadership and dedication to the provision of specialized programs and services in Central Massachusetts and beyond

Outstanding Service Award: Carla Burke, for her leadership in the library community in Harwich, on Cape Cod and beyond

Betty Gayzagian Advocacy Award: Denise Karuth, for her dedication, determination, leadership and hard work on all issues of importance to people with disabilities in Massachusetts and across the nation

Lifetime Achievement Award: Rosalind (Roz) Rowley, for her lifetime commitment to the education of students who are blind or visually impaired

2015

Community Access Award: Beverly A. Scott, for her commitment and dedication to the provision of accessible transportation services for all people who are blind or visually impaired in Massachusetts

Outstanding Service Award: Myra Burloff, for her leadership in the disability community

Betty Gayzagian Advocacy Award: Marcia Dresser, for her leadership and hard work on all issues of importance to people who are blind or visually impaired in Massachusetts and across the nation

2014

Community Access Award: Amy Ruell, for providing information and access to enhance the use of assistive technology

Outstanding Service Award: Steven M. Rothstein, in recognition of his leadership in the blindness community

Betty Gayzagian Advocacy Award: Mary Haroyan, for her leadership and advocacy in Central Massachusetts

2013

Community Access Award: American Repertory Theater, for their provision of audio description

Community Access Award: Not Your Average Joe’s, for their provision of Braille menus in all of their locations

Betty Gayzagian Advocacy Award: Brian Coppola, for his work to make prescription drug labels more accessible

2012

Community Access Award: Carl O. Richardson III, Massachusetts State House Bureau of State Buildings, for his leadership in bringing physical and programmatic accessibility to the Massachusetts State House

Betty Gayzagian Advocacy Award: David Kingsbury, Co-Chair, BSCB Transportation Committee, for his leadership in the area of accessible transportation

Betty Gayzagian Advocacy Award: Rick E. Morin, Co-Chair, BSCB Transportation Committee, for his leadership in the area of accessible transportation

Leadership Award: Robert Hachey, for his outstanding contribution to the organization as president from 2006 to 2012

Outstanding Service Award: William Henderson, in recognition of his distinguished career, his leadership in the integration and inclusion of children with disabilities in mainstream schools

2011

Community Access Award: Representative Edward J. Markey, for his determination to gain passage of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010

Betty Gayzagian Advocacy Award

Jennifer Harnish, Ph.D., for her support and establishment of a support group for parents who are blind

2010

Outstanding Service Award: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Hannah Goodwin and Valerie Burrows, for their commitment to accessible arts and museum access

Community Access Award: Massachusetts Audubon Society, for bringing accessible nature opportunities to all people who are blind or visually impaired in Massachusetts

Betty Gayzagian Advocacy Award: Nancy Jodoin, for her advocacy on access and public health in Massachusetts

2009

Outstanding Service Award: Svetlana and Harris Sussman, for the establishment of the M.N. Adamov Memorial Fund for independence for people who are blind in Russia

Community Access Award: Louise Beach, for her leadership in minority communities

Betty Gayzagian Advocacy Award: George Mcdermott, for his leadership and advocacy in Central Massachusetts

2008

Outstanding Service Award: Bank of America, for their efforts to promote financial independence for all people who are blind in Massachusetts and around the nation

2007

Outstanding Service Award: David D. Chabot, guide dog harness maker

Community Access Award: Senator Steven A. Tolman,

185th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Outstanding Leadership Award: Judi Cannon

Betty Gayzagian Advocacy Award: Rick E. Morin

2006

Outstanding Service Award: Ron Bersani, Talking Information Center

Special Recognition Award: Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, for their 100 years of service

Leadership Award: Jerry Berrier, for his outstanding contribution to the organization as the president from 2004 to 2006

2005

Outstanding Access Award: Wang Center For The Performing Arts, for longstanding commitment to accessibility and dedication to the provision of audio description

Community Awareness Award: Worcester Historical Museum, for their commitment to promoting awareness of guide dogs in Massachusetts

President’s Advocacy Award: Elizabeth (Betty) Soderholm, for her leadership and advocacy in the areas of rehabilitation and transportation services

Outstanding Service Award: Judy Berk, Cultural Access Consortium for her commitment to arts accessibility, and ensuring full participation for people who are blind or visually impaired

Outstanding Service Award: Leon Murphy, for his distinguished career manufacturing Perkins Braillers with care and precision for 45 years

2004

Outstanding Service Award: Arthur O’neil, for his provision of accessible recreational opportunities

2003

President’s Advocacy Award: Albert Gayzagian, for his years of leadership in advocating for a full range of educational, employment, and rehabilitation options for people who are blind

Outstanding Service Award: Stan Eichner, for his commitment to civil rights and lifetime dedication to ensuring full access for all citizens of Massachusetts

2002

Outstanding Service Award: Kevin J. Lessard, for his outstanding career with the Perkins School for the Blind, and for his dedication to the delivery of quality programs and services for all people who are blind and visually impaired

President’s Advocacy Award: Pamela Loch, for her tireless efforts which resulted in the preservation of bus service for Hopkinton and surrounding communities

2001

Outstanding Service Award: Andrea Doane, for her role in the development of audio description services, and her commitment and dedication to quality standards and the goal of access to the arts for all

Access Achievement Award: Wheelock Family Theatre, for its leadership role as the first theater in Massachusetts to provide audio description services, and for its ongoing dedication to the principles of access to the arts for all

2000

Outstanding Service Award: Fran Weisse, for her dedication to the delivery of information and quality programs and services for all people who are blind

Leadership Award: Kim Charlson, for her outstanding contribution to the organization as president from 1994 to 2000

1999

Outstanding Service Award: Beezy Bentzen, for her dedication and commitment to the goals of safe and independent travel and an accessible environment

1998

Outstanding Service Award: Debby Smith, for her commitment to quality programs and services for all people who are blind and visually impaired

Leadership Award: Laura Oftedahl, for her outstanding contribution to the organization as the editor of Baylines from 1990 to 1998

Volunteer Recognition Award: Vicki J. Vogt, for the many tasks she does to support the activities and members of the BSCB

1997

Outstanding Service Award: Diane L. Croft, for her commitment to Braille literacy

1996

Outstanding Service Award: Charles H. Crawford, for his many years of leadership, service, and advocacy for blind and visually impaired people in Massachusetts