AER proudly offers education scholarships for individuals continuing their education in the field of providing services to the blind and visually impaired. The William and Dorothy Ferrell Scholarship is awarded to two selected applicants who are legally blind and are studying for a career in the field of services to persons who are blind or visually impaired.
Also, for those seeking continuing education, AER offers the Douglas C. MacFarland Stipend, which was designated by the AER Board to promote professional development by providing funds to assist selected AER members with attending an AER Biennial International Conferenece. First-time conference attendees are given preference for the stipend, which includes a free conference registration in addition to $250 toward other expenses.
In addition, AER recognizes the achievements of individuals who have made a positive impact in the field through the presentation of prestigious awards at the AER Biennial Conference.
MARY K. BAUMAN AWARD - Established to honor an individual who has made a significant contribution to the education of visually handicapped children. All nominees should have worked in/for the education of blind persons and made a significant contribution to the professional organization. The first recipient of this award was Mary K. Bauman.
AMBROSE M. SHOTWELL AWARD - Candidates for the Shotwell Award shall be those whose leadership and services have "exerted influence on a national or international scale." Past Shotwell Award recipients have included Peter Salmon and Helen Keller.
ALFRED ALLEN AWARD - Candidates for the Alfred Allen Award shall be those whose character and dedication epitomize the spirit and quality of direct service to blind persons.
JOHN H. McAULAY AWARD - This award is achieved for outstanding achievement in the placement of blind and visually impaired persons into employment.
AER OUTSTANDING CHAPTER AWARD - This award goes to a chapter whose membership efforts have been outstanding. Criteria include: increase in the number of members; number and quality of services and/or programs offered by the chapter; legislative activity significantly affecting the lives of blind people. Effective with the 1996 award, the Outstanding Chapter shall receive a cash award of $200.
C. WARREN BLEDSOE AWARD - This honor is bestowed by the AER Publication Committee in recognition of a particularly noteworthy piece of literature in the field. Those presented with the C. Warren Bledsoe Award have presented new facts and/or concepts about blindness, presented new perspectives on fundamental problems in blindness, clearly relayed some particular need in the field and elicited respones in concrete form of contributions and/or legislative advocacy, and/or successfully popularized the life and times of people with visual impairments within the sighted community.
DOUGLAS C. MacFARLAND AWARD - This award was established to honor an individual who has provided leadership in the field of blindness and visual impairment and is now retired from the field. This individual will have made innovative, significant or outstanding contributions to the education or rehabilitation of people who are visually impaired, through either direct service, professional organizations, research, literature and/or preparation of professionals. These contributions should have had an impact on a national or international level.
