At the March 2009 Josephine L. Taylor Leadership Institute (JLTLI), the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) presented a number of individuals with awards.

At the March 2009 Josephine L. Taylor Leadership Institute (JLTLI), the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) presented a number of individuals with awards. This year's recipient of the Gallagher Award-given periodically to an individual with visual impairment in the memory of William F. Gallagher, AFB's president from 1980 through 1991, and his wife--is Judy Dixon, who is being honored as an outstanding role model for people with vision loss through her work as consumer relations officer at the National Library Service, as well as her advocacy work for braille technology and accessible web sites. Kay Alicyn Ferrell, the recipient of the Corinne Kirchner Research Award, is being honored for a lifetime of work in strengthening the link between research and public policy that meets the critical needs of people who are blind or visually impaired. Author of numerous articles and publications, Dr. Ferrell has addressed the education and development of children with visual impairments, distance education, cross-modal abilities, second language learners, and visual development. The highest honor in the blindness field, the 2009 Migel Medal Professional Award, will go to Susan Jay Spungin, respected leader and member of the blindness field and recent retiree from AFB and the World Blind Union. Her leadership and influence on the field over her 44-year career has improved the quality of educational programs for visually impaired students as well as the professional development of the educators who work with them and has had an unmatched impact on the lives of children with visual impairments, their families, and professionals.

JVIB invites readers to submit information for possible publication in a future edition of From the Field to Rebecca Burrichter, senior editor, JVIB, AFB Press, American Foundation for the Blind, 11 Penn Plaza, Suite 300, New York, NY 10001; fax: [phone]; e-mail: <[e-mail]>. For additional details on how to submit information for this From the Field column, as well as News, Calendar, Comments, Letters to the Editor, in addition to articles for peer review, visit <www.afb.org/jvib_guidelines.asp>.