[Nfbf-l] USABA (United States Association of Blind Athletes) Executive Director Wins Award

[Alan Dicey]

USABA (United States Association of Blind Athletes  Executive Director Wins 
Award Lucas AOA 2013 Distinguished Service Award recipient
The United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) is pleased to 
announce that Mark Lucas, executive director, is the 2013 recipient of the 
American Optometric Association (AOA) Distinguished Service Award. Lucas 
will be given the award at the AOA National Convention by the Vision 
Rehabilitation Section (VRS) on Friday, June 28 in San Diego, California.

The Distinguished Service Award is presented annually to a non-optometic 
colleague or organization for major contributions to the advancement of 
vision rehabilitation care and outstanding service and dedication to the 
visual welfare of the public and the field of low vision.

"For the past 20 years with the United States Association of Blind Athletes, 
Lucas has been passionately committed and dedicated to enhancing and 
empowering the lives of people who are blind and visually impaired through 
sports, recreation and physical activities. As a Board and organization we 
are all extremely proud of Mark for receiving this award," said Dave 
Bushland, USABA Board President.

Not only has Lucas served at USABA for 20 years, but he also serves on the 
board for VisionServe Alliance, a membership organization that works to 
engage leaders in building a better world through services to people with 
vision loss. Prior to his time at USABA Lucas began his career at Junior 
Blind of America in Los Angeles, CA. Lucas has dedicated his working life to 
people who are blind and visually impaired and plans to spend many more 
years at USABA.

About The American Optometric Association
The American Optometric Association represents approximately 36,000 doctors 
of optometry, optometry students and paraoptometric assistants and 
technicians. Optometrists serve patients in nearly 6,500 communities across 
the country, and in 3,500 of those communities are the only eye doctors. 
Doctors of optometry provide two-thirds of all primary eye care in the 
United States. For more information go to www.aoa.org

About United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA)
Since its founding in 1976, USABA, a community-based organization of the 
United States Olympic Committee, has reached more than 100,000 blind 
individuals. The organization has emerged as more than just a world-class 
trainer of blind athletes, it has become a champion of the abilities of 
Americans who are legally blind. USABA's mission: to enhance the lives of 
blind and visually impaired people by providing the opportunity for 
participation in sports and physical activity. For more information go to 
www.usaba.org
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