[Blindtlk] National Federation of the Blind Names Laurel Hudson 2010 Distinguished Educator of Blind Children

[Freeh, Jessica]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org




National Federation of the Blind Names Laurel Hudson


2010 Distinguished Educator of Blind Children



Baltimore, Maryland (June 21, 2010): The National 
Federation of the Blind (NFB) has named Laurel 
Hudson, a teacher of blind students at the 
Coralwood Diagnostic Center in Atlanta, Georgia, 
as its 2010 Distinguished Educator of Blind 
Children.  <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = 
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/>Hudson will be presented with the award at the 
NFB’s seventieth annual national convention, to 
be held July 3–8, 2010, at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas.



Hudson has taught blind students for more than 
thirty-nine years.  She began working with blind 
children at the Perkins School for the Blind in 
Watertown, Massachusetts, and then switched to 
working in mainstream settings within public 
schools.  She has taught as both a teacher of 
students with visual impairments and an 
orientation and mobility specialist.  In her 
current role at the Coralwood Diagnostic Center, 
Hudson teaches orientation and mobility, Braille 
literacy, and technology skills to students aged four to fourteen.



Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National 
Federation of the Blind, said: “Laurel Hudson’s 
dedication to blind students is unparalleled.  As 
an orientation and mobility specialist and a 
teacher of Braille, Hudson gives her students the 
tools for independence and academic 
success.  With only one out of ten blind children 
learning Braille today, it is clear that many 
teachers of blind students are simply not 
teaching Braille.  Hudson’s conviction in the 
importance of Braille literacy sets her apart and 
makes her an obvious choice to be the NFB’s 
Distinguished Educator of the year.  The National 
Federation of the Blind commends Hudson for her 
commitment to the education of blind students.”



Hudson received her master of education in 
orientation and mobility and her doctorate in 
visual impairments and blindness from Boston 
College.  She was previously honored with the 
Georgia Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award in 2009.



The Distinguished Educator Award carries with it 
a $1,000 prize and an all-expense-paid trip to 
the 2010 NFB National Convention in 
Dallas.  While in Dallas, Hudson will address 
several hundred parents and educators of blind 
children and have an opportunity to share her 
experience and insights with many people 
interested in improving the education of blind students.





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About the National Federation of the Blind



With more than 50,000 members, the National 
Federation of the Blind is the largest and most 
influential membership organization of blind 
people in the United States.   The NFB improves 
blind people’s lives through advocacy, education, 
research, technology, and programs encouraging 
independence and self-confidence.  It is the 
leading force in the blindness field today and 
the voice of the nation's blind.  In January 2004 
the NFB opened the National Federation of the 
Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and 
training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.