Nominations Open Now through April 30, 2025!
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Migel Medal Awards, the highest honor in the blindness field. The Migel Medal 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 who are blind or have low vision. 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 2024 winners were Kim Charlson, Executive Director of the Perkins Library in Watertown, MA, and Susan Mazrui, Director of Public Policy for AT&T Services Inc.
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 significantly influences services on a national level.
The Migel Medal is awarded in two distinct categories:
- Leadership in the Field of Blindness and Low Vision: This 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.
- Leadership Impacting Positive Change to Broader Society: This 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 provide the following materials for the nomination:
- A one-page description of the nominee and accomplishments.
- Two letters of recommendation from those familiar with their work.
The deadline to submit nominations is April 30, 2025. The awards will be presented during AFB’s 2025 Leadership Conference.
Please take a moment to reflect and nominate a deserving friend or colleague. We look forward to receiving your nominations!
