Florida Department of Education Recognizes Two North Florida 'Successful 75' Award Winners
May 30, 2017
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Florida Department of Education Recognizes Two North Florida 'Successful 75' Award Winners
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., May 30, 2017 – Today, the Department of Education’s Division of Blind Services (DBS) announced two North Florida recipients of the “Successful 75” Awards. Over the last year, DBS celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a series of informative, family-friendly events throughout Florida. At each event, local individuals, organizations and businesses were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the blind and visually impaired community.
“It is with great pleasure that I congratulate and thank these individuals for the difference they are making in our blind and visually impaired communities,” said Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart. “We have come a long way in just 75 years, thanks in large part to the individuals, organizations and businesses who have supported our efforts to continue opening doors for blind and visually impaired Floridians. We remain committed to increasing accessibility, and I hope that these recipients will serve as an inspiration for more Floridians to get involved.”
"We are pleased to recognize these dedicated individuals as members of the Division of Blind Services' Successful 75," said DBS Director Robert L. Doyle. "The recipients have worked tirelessly to make a difference in their communities through outreach, advocacy, hiring practices and via their individual commitments to achieve self-sufficiency. Through these efforts, Florida continues to strive to become a barrier-free environment for residents with visual disabilities."
The following North Florida individual and business were recognized with the Successful 75 award.
Client Award: Erica Turner
Erica Turner has suffered her entire life with Albinism, hearing loss, and eventually total blindness. She earned a bachelor's degree in English and creative writing in May 2014. After significant visual deterioration, Turner was referred to the Vision Education & Rehabilitation Center (VERC) in 2012. She excelled in virtually all training classes and now volunteers with VERC and the Foundation Fighting Blindness. She has worked as a tutor with Florida State College at Jacksonville since 2013 and is described as a true role model, not because of what she has overcome, but because of her ceaseless energy and enthusiasm for life. She maintains a sense of gratitude and never stops learning and achieving.
Business Award: Dotz
DOTZ (Direct Occupational Training Zone) is a public self-service coffee and snack bar that currently serves as a place for blind and visually impaired volunteers and employees to learn about the various aspects of running a business. Located in St. Augustine, individuals who are blind or visually impaired gain job skills in a hands-on environment. Some of the skills learned are customer service, inventory control, money math and marketing strategy.
Throughout the year-long anniversary celebration, 75 honorees were bestowed with this honor. For a full list of the DBS Successful 75 Award recipients, click here.
For more information about the Division of Blind Services and its programs, visit dbs.fldoe.org
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