BTT AWARDS-NOMINATION PROCESS

Nominating a Blind or Visually Impaired Individual for a BTT Award

The BTT Awards recognize achievements within the blind and visually impaired community. To nominate a deserving BVI individual, please follow these steps:

1. Review the Award Categories and Criteria: Carefully read the detailed criteria for each award you are considering. This is crucial to ensure your nominee aligns with the specific requirements and qualifications of the award. (Detailed award descriptions and award criteria listed below),
2. Select the Appropriate Award(s): Determine the award(s) that best reflects your nominee's achievements and contributions,
3. Your Nomination for Each Individual and Each Award: You can nominate multiple individuals and/or nominate the same individual for multiple awards. However, each nomination requires a separate submission. This means if you want to nominate John for "Advocate of the Year" and "Athlete of the Year," you must complete two separate nomination forms, tailoring the content to each award's specific criteria,
4. Supporting Information: Collect any relevant supporting materials that strengthen your nomination,
5. Submit the Nomination Form: Fill out the official BTT Award nomination form for each award. The link to the form can be found below the list of award categories.

Please submit by April 30, 2025.

Award Categories are labeled with Headings for easier navigation.

Category: BVI Advocate of the Year

Award Name: BTT Blind Soldier Award

Description:

This award recognizes a blind or visually impaired individual who has demonstrated outstanding advocacy and leadership in promoting the rights, inclusion, and empowerment of people with disabilities, particularly those that are blind or visually impaired. Nominees should have made significant contributions to advancing accessibility, raising awareness, or influencing policy change.

Criteria:

• Effective advocacy for the blind/VI community
• On policy, legislation, or public awareness
• Raising awareness about issues affecting blind/VI individuals
• Leadership and dedication to disability rights
• Positive change in the lives of people with disabilities
• Collaboration and coalition building with other advocates.

Category: BVI AT Trainer of the Year

Award Name: BTT Empowering Pro Award

Description:

This Award recognizes outstanding Blind or visually impaired individuals who empower others through assistive technology training. We aim to celebrate those who not only possess deep knowledge of assistive technology but also demonstrate exceptional dedication, patience, and a genuine passion for fostering independence in the blind and low-vision community. This award also acknowledges that peer-to-peer training from those with lived experience holds immense value and impact in the training process.

Criteria:

• Expertise: Demonstrates a deep understanding of various assistive technologies and their applications
• Communication Skills: Effectively communicates complex technical information in a clear, concise, and accessible manner
• Patience and Empathy: Exhibits patience, understanding, and empathy towards trainees with diverse learning styles and needs
• Adaptability: Adapts training methods and materials to suit individual learning styles and technology proficiency levels
• Impact: Demonstrates a positive impact on the lives of trainees through improved technology skills, increased independence, and enhanced opportunities
• Innovation: Demonstrates innovative approaches to training, such as developing new training materials, utilizing online platforms, or incorporating creative teaching techniques
• Mentorship: Acts as a mentor or role model for other aspiring trainers or technology users in the Blind community

Category: BVI Athlete of the Year

Award Name: BTT Fearless Competitor Award

Description:

This award recognize a blind or visually impaired athlete who has demonstrated exceptional athletic achievement, perseverance, and sportsmanship.

Criteria:

• Exceptional athletic performance and achievements
• Dedication to training and competition
• Overcoming challenges related to visual impairment in sports
• Sportsmanship and leadership
• Inspiration to other athletes, particularly within the blind/VI community
• Participation in competitions and events

Category: BVI Author of the Year

Award Name: BTT Golden Keyboard Award

Description:

This award honors a blind or visually impaired author who has demonstrated exceptional writing skills, storytelling ability, and literary achievement. Nominees should have published impactful works (fiction, non-fiction, poetry, etc.)that resonate with readers and contribute to the world of literature.

Criteria:

• Quality and impact of their writing
• Originality and creativity of their work
• Critical acclaim or reader reception
• Contribution to literature or knowledge
• Inspiration to other writers or readers, especially within the blind/VI community
• Accessibility of their work to blind/VI readers (e.g., availability in Braille, audio format)
• Overcoming challenges related to visual impairment in their field

Category: BVI Community Leader of the Year

Award Name: BTT Beyond Sight Leadership Award

Description:

This award recognizes a blind or visually impaired individual who demonstrates exceptional leadership, positivity, and achievement, serving as an inspiration and empowering others within the blind community.

Criteria:

• Recognized leader within the blind community. They actively participate in organizations, initiatives, or programs that support and empower others with visual impairments
• Achieved significant success in their chosen field, whether it be employment or education. They serve as a shining example that blindness does not preclude one from reaching their full potential
• Actively involved in the blind community, contributing their time and talents to support and empower others. They may be involved in organizations, mentorship programs, or other initiatives that benefit the blind community
• Empowers others to succeed by providing guidance, support, and encouragement.1 They may serve as a mentor, advocate, or role model, helping others to reach their full potential
• Champions independence for blind and visually impaired individuals, encouraging self-reliance, self-advocacy, and the development of essential skills for navigating daily life
• Has made a tangible, positive impact on the lives of others in the blind community. Their actions inspire hope, encourage self-advocacy, and promote inclusion

Category: BVI Content Creator of the Year

Award Name: BTT Content Catalyst Crown Award

Description:

This award recognizes contributions of blind and visually impaired content creators who enrich the digital landscape with creative content across various platforms, to educate, entertain, inspire, and connect with audiences, both within the blind and visually impaired community and beyond, acknowledging the unique perspectives, creativity, and resilience of these creators who overcome challenges to share their stories and talents with the world.

Criteria:

• Eligible Content Formats, created for or by a blind or visually impaired individual: Including but not limited to, podcasts, You Tube Channels, blogs and on-line written content, social media content, and Any other forms of digital content creation
• Impact and Influence: The content's ability to positively impact the lives of blind and visually impaired individuals, raise awareness about relevant issues, assist in altering the negative views society has about blind and visually impaired, spreading awareness about success and achievements in the BVI community
• Impact and Reach: The content's ability to reach and engage its target audience, measured by metrics such as listenership, viewership, engagement, and social media reach
• Quality and Consistency: The overall quality of the content, including its production value, clarity, and consistency of output.
• Relevance and Value: The content's relevance to the blind and visually impaired community or its ability to provide valuable information, insights, or entertainment
• Innovation and Creativity: The content creator's ability to innovate and create unique and engaging content formats
• Inspiration and Empowerment: The content's ability to inspire, empower, and uplift, not only the BVI community, but also individuals from other populations and society as a whole
• Community Engagement: The creator's ability to engage with their audience, foster meaningful discussions, and build a strong online community

Category: BVI Entertainer of the Year

Award Name: BTT Talented Beyond Sight Award

Description:

This award recognizes a blind or visually impaired entertainer who has made significant contributions to the arts, including music, acting, comedy, spoken word, or other performance arts.

Criteria

• Exceptional talent and skill in their chosen field
• Performance achievements and recognition
• Impact on the entertainment industry or audience
• Inspiration to others, particularly within the blind/VI community
• Originality and creativity

Category: BVI Entrepreneur of the Year:

Award Name: BTT Visionary Venture Award

Description:

This award recognizes a blind or visually impaired entrepreneur who has demonstrated outstanding innovation, leadership, and business acumen. Nominees should have achieved significant success in their ventures, while also serving as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs within the blind community.

Criteria:

• Demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit and innovation
• Business success and growth
• Impact on the community and/or industry
• Overcoming challenges related to visual impairment in the business world
• Positive impact on the business community

Category: BVI Inspirational Individual of the Year

Award Name: BTT White Cane Award

Description:

This award recognizes a blind or visually impaired individual whose personal journey, achievements, and positive attitude have inspired and motivated others. This person embodies resilience, determination, and a positive outlook on life.

Criteria:

• Demonstrated resilience and perseverance in the face of challenges
• Positive impact on others through their actions and words
• Inspiration to the blind/VI community and beyond
• Positive attitude and outlook
• Story of overcoming adversity

Category: BVI Organization of the Year

Award Name: BTT Guiding Light Award

Description:

This award recognizes an organization that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to serving the blind and visually impaired community. Nominees should have a proven track record of providing impactful programs, resources, or services that enhance the lives of blind individuals.

Criteria:

• Demonstrated commitment to serving the blind/VI community
• Impact on the lives of blind/VI individuals (e.g., increased accessibility, employment opportunities, educational resources, social inclusion)
• Community involvement and collaboration
• Innovation and effectiveness of programs or services
• Evidence of positive outcomes and measurable results

We encourage you to nominate a blind or visually impaired individual or organization, who has made a significant impact to the BVI community.