APH News & Press
Educator of Blind Children Recognized for Outstanding Accomplishments
News Release: Louisville, Kentucky, August 4, 1998
Mary Nelle McLennan, vice president for products and services of the American Printing House for the Blind (APH), recently received the 1998 Mary K. Bauman Award. Presented every other year by the international Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER), this prestigious award honors an individual who has made a significant contribution to the education of children who are blind or visually impaired. McLennan was presented the award on July 9 in Atlanta, Georgia at AER's International Conference.
Recognized by her peers as a "master teacher," McLennan spent the first 15 years of her professional career teaching children at the Tennessee School for the Blind in Nashville. She joined APH in Louisville in 1982 as text book editor, determining the format in which information should be transcribed into braille. Continuing to utilize her teaching skills, McLennan now travels across the country educating professionals on issues related to vision loss.
Recognizing the unique ways in which children without sight obtain information, McLennan has devoted her professional career to ensuring that blind children are provided with effective opportunities to learn about the world in which they live. She continues to touch the lives of thousands of blind individuals each year by passing on the innovative methods she has created to teach communication and independent living skills. Since the majority of learning occurs through sight, these specialized educational services enable blind children to become productive, independent adults, particpating fully in family and community life.
Referred to by former students and colleagues alike as "no ordinary teacher," McLennan is known throughout the field of vision for her high energy, creativity, and ability to relate well to people of all ages and all backgrounds. Former student Kristy Satterfield voices an opinion shared by many, "'Miss Mac' made learning fun and taught me as much about life as she did about the subjects I studied in school. She understands what it is like to be blind, and overcomes barriers to teaching blind children in some pretty amazing ways."
F.Y.I...
It is estimated that in the United States today there are over 2 million people who are blind. Although it is commonly recognized that the incidence of blindness and visually impairments is increasing dramatically in older adults as our population ages, the incidence of children with blindness is increasing as well. Due to significant medical advances, children born prematurely or with multiple disabilities are now surviving and a high portion of these children are blind or visually impaired.
Contact Roberta Williams, Public Relations Specialist, for more information. Telephone: 1 -800-223-1839 or (502) 895-2405; e-mail: rwilliams@aph.org