iBUG RECEIVES DR. JACOB BOLOTIN AWARD 2018
iBUG Today was awarded the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award on July 8, 2018 at the National Federation of the Blind National Convention in Orlando, Florida. Michael McCulloch, president and founder of iBUG Today, accepted the award on behalf of the non-profit organization whose mission is to promote individual independence, social integration and educational development of the blind community through accessible technology training and services.
The Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards honor individuals and organizations that are a positive force in the lives of blind people and whose work advances the goal of helping transform their dreams into reality.
Dr. Jacob W. Bolotin (1888-1924) was the world’s first physician who was blind from birth. He achieved that goal despite the tremendous challenges faced by blind people in his time. Not only did he realize his own dream, but he also went on to support and inspire many others.
Recipients of the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards break down barriers facing blind people in an innovative way; change negative perceptions of blindness and blind people; and push past existing boundaries to inspire blind people to achieve new heights.
The 2018 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award winners include:
Be My Eyes
Developers of Be My Eyes app
$25,000 award recipient
Be My Eyes is a free mobile app that connects blind and low-vision users with sighted volunteers for visual assistance through a live video call.
Peggy Chong
Creator of theblindhistorylady.com
$5,000 award recipient
For more than two decades, Peggy Chong has documented empowering stories about blind people on her website, theblindhistorylady.com.
Carol Begay Green
Creator of the Navajo Braille code
$5,000 award recipient
Carol Begay Green has developed a Navajo Braille code and a plan to teach that code across the entire Navajo Nation.
iBUG Today, Inc.
Leaders in technology training
$5,000 award recipient
iBUG Today, Inc. is a nonprofit that promotes independence, social integration, and educational development of the blind community through accessible technology training and services.
Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco
Innovators in tactile maps
$5,000 award recipient
Tactile Maps Automated Production (or TMAP) at the Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco creates consumer-grade, on-demand tactile maps that give blind people information and self-confidence to travel independently.
Ski for Light
Leaders in accessible fitness
$5,000 award recipient
Ski for Light connects the blind and sighted communities in the joy of cross country skiing.
The Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards are funded by the National Federation of the Blind with assistance from the Alfred and Rosalind Perlman Trust, which was created by a bequest left to the Santa Barbara Foundation and the National Federation of the Blind by Jacob Bolotin’s niece-in-law, author Rosalind Perlman.
iBUG is honored to be among such an esteemed group of individuals and organizations that are committed to transforming the lives of blind individuals. To be recognized by the National Federation of the Blind, a venerable organization that has long championed the cause of the blind, is truly humbling. iBUG would like to thank the National Federation of the Blind for this award. iBUG is also very appreciative of the time and efforts of its board members, Sandhya Rao and Belinda Skloss, and its many volunteers without whom this award would not have been possible. With this recognition and award, iBUG will continue to empower the blind through accessible technology training so that we can all live the lives we want!
Michael accepting the Bolotin Award 2018 from James Daschel, chairman of the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award committee. Mark Riccobono, president of the National Federation of the Blind standing in the right background (mostly hidden by the podium)
The six Bolotin Award 2018 winners: Ski for Light, Be My Eyes, Carol Begay Green, iBUG Today, Peggy Chong, and Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco
Michael and Sandhya with the Bolotin Award 2018 trophy
Michael and Sandhya at the pre-awards luncheon with Mark Riccobono, NFB President and his wife, Melissa
Apple Special Event, WWDC 2018
Check out the Apple Special Event, WWDC 2018 - June 4, 2018. WWDC 2018 Keynote provided highlights of iOS 12, watchOS 5, tvOS 5 and macOS Mojave software updates and more.
iBUG assists Houston METRO in testing new beacon system for bus and rail stop identification
The iBUG Guy was featured in the business section of the Houston Chronicle on May 29, 2018. He is part of a beta test team for the Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority's (METRO) new app and beacons system identifying bus and rail stops in the Houston area. Other iBUG members on the beta test team include Raul Gallegos, Stacie Hardy, George Battiste, Richard Petty and Louis Maher. See the full article here.
iBUG at Insight Expo 2018
Belinda, Sandhya and Wes setting up the iBUG table in the Exhibition Hall.
Elisa stopping by the iBUG table for some help from Wes and Sandhya.
iBUG Go Texan BBQ
Sandhya, Michael and Belinda at stage area
Michael, Sandhya and Belinda at photo booth
iBUG Named Agency of The Month
Check it out! iBUG Today is the featured Agency of the Month on the American Foundation for the Blind's (AFB) VisionAware website.