VisionAWARE.org Awarded the The Susan and Paul Ponchillia Publications Award

On July 22, 2010, VisionAWARE.org received the Susan and Paul Ponchillia Publications Award from the Vision Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) Division of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) at their international conference in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The award is named for the late Dr. Susan V. Ponchillia, a former faculty member in Western Michigan University's Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies.

From Our Network:

“Congratulations to the VisionAWARE team on this much-deserved recognition! Keep up the great work“
-Susan Olivo (Reader's Digest Partners for Sight Foundation)

“Dear VisionAWARE Team: A hearty congratulations on your latest award. It is great that the hard work and innovation you have brought to the field of vision rehabilitation has been recognized. Keep it up.“
- Tom McCarville & Martha Parisian (The E.A.R.S. for Eyes Program)

About the Award:

The Susan and Paul Ponchillia Publications Award was established in 2008 to honor VRT Division members who have written and published for the benefit of the field and for the enhancement of the VRT professional knowledge base. The award recognizes VRT professionals whose published work has contributed highly to the field of Vision Rehabilitation Therapy.

Visit our newest online resource -- the VisionAWARE Blog, which provides news and information about the latest in vision rehabilitation and our take on changes in the low vision community. Some of our latest posts are:

• News Alert: Historic Tech Access Bill Passes Senate
• Glenn Beck again: What about vision rehabilitation?
• Self-Help Group Views

Meet Belinda Brasley, blind photographer, Twitterer, and author of the blog Losing Vision, Gaining Insight, in which she chronicles her transition to low vision living. "I sometimes feel like I am in a no-man's-land," says Belinda. "I am not legally blind, but I really have difficulty seeing ... and I am trying to adapt to my low vision as gracefully as possible." Learn more about Belinda's blog, including how she has learned to use her digital camera to create "a new way to see."

Read about Belinda, a blind photographer and blogger

Cataract Awareness Month

According to the National Eye Institute, approximately 50% of all Americans will either have a cataract or will have had cataract surgery by age 80. In honor of Cataract Awareness Month, learn about what causes cataracts, the different types, when you should have surgery, and how to prepare for surgery and more information about cataracts. These Safety in the Home tipsheets will help those with cataracts and other vision loss conditions manage everyday activities.

What’s New

New blogs have been added to the list of blogs by people who are blind or have low vision.

FDA approves implantable miniature telescope

Braille Cards offers greeting cards in text and braille for a variety of holidays and special occasions.

New England Disabled Sports provides year-round adaptive sport instruction to children and adults.

From Our Readers

“I just read your Joe Lovett story after watching the trailer for his documentary. As usual, you and the VisionAWARE team have done an outstanding job on the story and the resources you've attached to it. It's always a pleasure to visit the web site … We are thankful that we have the VisionAWARE web site to recommend as a resource.”
- Regards, M.A.L.

“I would to thank you for your interest and I hope to keep in contact with you. You know that if we help a blind is like giving light his life. Regards and wish hearing more from you. It seems that you are very kind and humanist.”
- From an Algerian visitor, whom we helped locate resources for braille music books

About Us

Associates for World Action in Rehabilitation & Education (AWARE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social service organization. VisionAWARE is a "Self-Help for Vision Loss" web site that includes Questions & Answers on a wide range of topics, including eye diseases and disorders, home management, home modification, reading and writing, personal care and grooming, recreational activities, crafts, braille, computers and technology, and helpful services and resources.

For more information, e-mail: Maureen A. Duffy, Editorial Director, or Anne Yeadon, Executive Director.

VisionAWARE has been made possible by the generous support of:
Reader's Digest Partners for Sight Foundation | The Gibney Family Foundation | National Eye Institute at the National Institutes of Health | The Glickenhaus Foundation |
Ethel Sergeant Clark Smith Memorial Fund | Allene Reuse Memorial Trust |
Irving & Sara Selis Foundation | Special People in Need