Las Vegas, Nevada (July 15, 2019): The National Federation of the Blind has presented its annual Blind Educator of the Year Award to Alison Steven of Boise, Idaho. Ms. Steven, formerly an elementary and secondary music teacher, is currently the coordinator of transition services for the Idaho Commission for the Blind. In that role, she trains blind youth in the skills of blindness and conducts programs such as college days, a week-long experience preparing blind students for college. Since 2014, Ms. Steven has been the coordinator of the Boise Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL) program of the National Federation of the Blind. Ms. Steven herself uses both the literary and music Braille codes, the latter to learn new piano music, and she incorporates music into BELL activities.

“Alison Steven’s personal journey has made her a passionate advocate for Braille and the skills of blindness,” said Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. “She is using that passion and her teaching skills to educate and mentor the next generation of blind Americans. We are therefore pleased to present her with our Blind Educator of the Year Award.”