About the Hall of Fame

Mission Statement

The Hall of Fame for Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field is dedicated to preserving, honoring, and promoting the tradition of excellence manifested by the specific individuals inducted into the Hall of Fame and through the history of outstanding services provided to people who are blind or visually impaired.

Nine of the ten living legends were able to attend the APH Annual Meeting in 2002. Posing with their plaques are: (back row) Samuel Ashcroft, Cleo Dolan, Louis Vieceli, Stanley Suterko, (front row) Ruth Kaarlela, Natalie Barraga, Eleanor Faye, Alice Raftary, and Donald Wedewer.

These 42 significant professional colleagues of the recent and distant past are a fascinating cross-section of heroes and pioneers who not only shaped our rich history, philosophy, knowledge and skills, but also give us insights into current and future challenges. These giants shared their personal lives and showed us strategies to ensure that services for blind persons remain unique and specialized. Enjoy their lives and contributions and reflect upon your own list of heroes.

The establishment of the Hall of Fame for Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field was announced in Louisville, Kentucky, in October of 2001 at the 133rd Annual Meeting of Ex Officio Trustees and friends of the American Printing House for the Blind. The Hall, which has gained support from across the field, including AER, AFB, and CEC-DVI, is located in the 1926 wing of the APH building that has been renovated to also house the Barr Research Library.

2002 Induction Ceremony

On Thursday, October 10, 2002, APH opened the 134th Annual Meeting of Ex Officio Trustees with a a ceremony inducting the first 32 members in to the Hall of Fame for Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field. Nine of those ten living legends were in attendance (left to right in photo): Ruth Kaarlela, Samuel Ashcroft, Natalie Barraga, Cleo Dolan, Eleanor Faye, Louis Vieceli, Alice Raftary, Stanley Suterko, and Donald Wedewer. The inductees were expertly presented by facilitator Phil Hatlen whose remarks perfectly framed each legend and prepared the audience for their responses. Warren Bledsoe, unable to travel, appeared by video with Lou Tutt presenting him with his plaque.

The entire historic 2002 Induction Ceremony is available for viewing.

Here are photos of that special evening.

2005 Induction Ceremony

On Friday evening, October 14, 2005, four additional members were added to the original 32 inductees of the Hall of Fame at a Ceremony held at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Louisville, Ky, as a part of the 137th APH Annual Meeting. Bill English and Abraham Nemeth were present for the special evening. Also honored were William Hadley and J. Max Woolly. The historically significant presentation of each inductee was beautifully handled by event facilitator, Bernadette Kappen. Responding for Dr. Hadley was Hadley School Vice President Dawn Turco. Responding for Dr. Woolly was his son Bill Woolly who was accompanied by his mother Kathlyn and brother Jim.

Here are photos from the 2005 Induction.

2006 Induction Ceremony

On Friday evening, October 13, 2006, two legendary figures were inducted in to the Hall of Fame at a Ceremony held at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Louisville as a part of the 138th APH Annual Meeting. The activity was skillfully and beautifully orchestrated by Mary Nelle McLennan and Richard Welsh. Legendary teacher Anne Sullivan Macy was inducted by Mary Nelle with responses by Steven Rothstein, President of Perkins School for the Blind. Famed ophthalmologist Arnall Patz, who had already charmed the crowd when receiving APH's Wings of Freedom Award on Thursday evening, was inducted by Rick.

The entire historic 2006 Induction Ceremony is available for viewing.

Here are photos from the 2006 Induction.

2007 Induction Ceremony

On Friday evening, October 12, 2007, two historic heroes were inducted in to the Hall of Fame at Louisville's Marriott Hotel as a part of the 139th APH Annual Meeting. After a welcome by Dr. Tuck Tinsley, and history of the Hall by Advisory Chair Dr. Cay Holbrook, the ceremony inductions were passionately provided by Dr. George Zimmerman. The responses to Charles F. F. Campbell's induction were provided by Dr. Rick Welsh and Campbell's grandson, Charles Campbell Mead. Responses to Dr. Everett "Butch" Hill's induction were presented by his widow, Mary Maureen Atkin, and his son, Marc Hill. Butch's son David Hill was also in attendance.

The 2007 Induction Ceremony is available for viewing.

Here are photos from the 2007 Induction.

Pre-Hall of Fame Background Information and Acknowledgements

AER HEROES AND PIONEERS Presentation

At a General Session of the International Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) Conference in Denver, July of 2000, Mike Nelipovich and Rod Kossick, of Wisconsin Rehabilitation Services, together with John Maxson, of Mississippi State University, presented the Gallery of Pioneers and Heroes for the Blindness Field. A couple of years earlier, they had expressed a concern that many of the professionals new to the field were not aware of the individuals who not only shaped our rich history, philosophy, knowledge and skills; but also gave us purpose, direction, and insights into current and future challenges. A smaller version of "Heroes and Pioneers" was unveiled at a 1999 Wisconsin conference with Dean Tuttle as an invited co-presenter.

In preparation for the Denver conference, this committee of four sought input from leaders in the field and selected 32 heroes and pioneers to represent the profession's rich heritage. The focus of the presentation was to share a brief glimpse of these giants' personal and professional struggles and successes, all committed to cultivating strategies to ensure that services for blind persons remain unique and specialized. The gallery consisted of enlarged photographs with accompanying brief biographical sketches which, with input from the other committee members and the field, were compiled by Dean and Naomi Tuttle. Those biographies are now being used on this site.

The AER presentation in Denver served as the catalyst for APH's fledgling efforts to develop a venue to celebrate the leaders of the blindness field. A committee representing the United States and Canada was soon established and is leading the development of the field-wide Hall of Fame.

Those 32 heroes and pioneers, honored in Denver, appropriately became the Hall of Fame's initial inductees.

Hall of Fame Governing Board

Those who have served

Additional Information about the Hall of Fame

AER/Hall of Fame Connections Video

This eight-minute Hall of Fame Video was produced for a general session of the 2006 AER International Conference in Utah. The video highlights the various AER connections with the Hall of Fame, including many of the engraved stones that appear on the Wall of Tribute.

Due to the popular demand after that viewing, DVDs of the presentation were sent to all AER chapters, divisions, and International officers. Now we have made the video available here on our website. Please feel free to share this video with any person or group who might be interested in AER and the Hall of Fame.

These links will open in a new browser window. You will need either Windows Media Player or Quicktime to view the videos.

Hall of Fame: Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field is a project of the entire field of blindness. It is curated by the American Printing House for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.

©2007, American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.