Associated Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
presents the

50th Annual Louis Braille Awards Ceremony Luncheon

 
2010 LOUIS BRAILLE AWARDS SLATE

Gordon Fowler – Honorary Chairman (confirmed)
Gordon B. Fowler Jr., is Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Glenmede, setting the strategic direction of the company.  Prior to becoming Chief Executive Officer, he served as Glenmede’s Chief Investment Officer with responsibility for the investment strategy and process, portfolio fund managers, trading and investment research group. With a background in both U.S. and global investment management, Mr. Fowler has extensive experience with quantitative equity investing, asset allocation, and tax-aware research and investment management.  He joined Glenmede in 2003, following more than 20 years with JP Morgan Investment Management.

Rocco Fiorentino – Individual Honoree (confirmed)

Rocco Fiorentino, 13 years old, is an advocate for all children who are blind or visually impaired.  Born four months premature and weighing only one and a half pounds, Rocco is totally blind due to Retinopathy of Prematurity. Rocco is an Ambassador for The Little Rock Foundation, founded by his parents and named for him.  As the Ambassador, Rocco continually builds awareness about blindness through lobbying and educating the public about the importance of Braille education by guest speaking at schools, senior groups, and other organizations throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  Since he was five years old, he has given speeches to the NJ. State Legislature and, due to that, $1.2 million as been dedicated to Braille education and services in NJ. In addition, he has saved 50 jobs at the NJ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired and has inspired the State of NJ and Pennsylvania to name October as Blindness Awareness Month, beginning in 2009.

Honorable Dwight Evans – Special Recognition Honoree – (confirmed)

House Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans is one of the most well respected legislators serving in the Pennsylvania General Assembly today and one of most influential.  During the course of his public career, he has earned a reputation as a policymaker who knows how to transform ideas into action.  His ethical standards, willingness to listen and pragmatic approach to government have earned him accolades from the grass roots to the White House.   With his help, ASB was able to successfully change the legislative language for the fiscal coding in order to secure ASB’s annual funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for their Rehabilitation and Specialized Services programs. 

Southwest Airlines – Corporate Honoree (confirmed)

Southwest Airlines welcomes customers with disabilities to exercise their freedom to fly, and they want that experience to be as simple and dignified as possible.  If assistance is needed during boarding or onboard the aircraft, staff will assist.  Southwest Airlines welcomes trained assistance animals on all of their flights.  A trained assistance animal traveling with and providing assistance to a Customer with a disability will be accommodated in the aircraft cabin on the floor in front of or next to the Customer with a disability.  Also, each aircraft has Inflight Safety Briefing Cards available in Braille overlaid with large print.

Wills Eye Institute – Special Recognition Honoree (confirmed)

Wills Eye, established in 1832 through a bequest of Quaker merchant James Wills to the City of Philadelphia, is governed by the Board of Directors of City Trusts. It is a non-profit specialty institution whose clinical expertise and sophistication of diagnostic and treatment procedures make it a worldwide referral center.  Wills Eye has consistently been ranked as one of the best in the United States by U.S. News & World Report since the survey's inception in 1990. Programs maintained by Wills are organized along the traditional divisions of patient care, education, and research activities.

2010 Louis Braille Corporate Sponsors

Sponsorship and Advertising Opportunities are still available.

For tickets or more information on how to attend, please call Public Relations Officer, Lauren Scarpa at 215.627.0600, x3242 or click here to email. 

 
HISTORY OF THE LOUIS BRAILLE AWARD
Since 1959, Associated Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired (ASB) has bestowed the Louis Braille Award. The accolade is presented annually to honor individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions on behalf of individuals who are blind or visually impaired. It has also been given to people who are blind or visually impaired who have overcome great odds to make outstanding achievements and have provided inspiration to others living with a visual disability. The proceeds from the awards ceremony directly benefits ASB’s clients.