[Nfbk] A P H in Memoriam

[Kevin Pearl]

In Memoriam:

We are saddened, but celebrating the lives of three greats in the field of vision, who had among their many connections deep ties to the American Printing House for the Blind.

Carson Nolan

We are saddened by the passing of Dr. Carson Nolan, former president of the American Printing House for the Blind. Dr. Nolan had an enormous influence on the education of blind students through his published research and through the products developed by APH during his tenure.

Dr. Nolan earned his Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis in 1953. Nolan joined APH in 1957 as Director of Educational Research. Examples of Nolan's many research projects included several studies to evaluate methods of braille reading (Nolan, Kederis, & Morris) leading to the development of "Patterns," APH's highly-regarded braille reading & writing curriculum. Nolan assumed the post of APH president in 1976 and served until his retirement in 1988. Dr. Nolan's legacy can be seen in many APH products today, including braille, tactile graphic, and assessment products.

In addition, Nolan was an Associate Professor at the University of Louisville from 1962-1972. Nolan was active in the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER).

In this newsletter, we are featuring two of Dr. Nolan's publications in the "Treasures From the APH Libraries" section.

Fred Gissoni

We are mourning the loss of the incomparable Fred L. Gissoni, who passed away at the age of 84. Fred contributed 60 years of service to people who are blind and visually impaired. Fred was known across the United States and around the world for his brilliant intellect, inventiveness, and impish sense of humor. Before coming to APH in 1988, he retired from what was then called the Kentucky Department for the Blind.

Fred served for 23 years at APH, retiring in 2011 from our Customer Relations Department, but his legacy will live on for years to come. He helped create several products for people who are blind, including creating a prototype device that would eventually lead to APH's Braille 'n Speak. For his work on this device, Fred, along with Wayne Thompson, was the recipient of APH's "Creative Use of Braille Award" in 1998.

Fred had an encyclopedic knowledge of the blindness field. He would usually be able to answer customer questions immediately. He was very generous with his time, and patient with customers of all skill levels. Fred's world of knowledge eventually became what is now the "Fred's Head from APH" blog (www.fredshead.info). He is a legend, and he will be greatly missed.

Richard Welsh

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Dr. Richard Welsh. Welsh was born in Pittsburgh, PA and received his doctorate in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Pittsburgh. He had three adult children and five grandchildren. He remarried in 2001 to fellow professional and APH staff member Mary Nelle McLennan.

Welsh was an instructor at Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children, at the University of Pittsburgh, and then at Cleveland State University. Beginning in 1978, Welsh served as Superintendent of the Maryland School for the Blind. From 1990 until 2003 he was an administrator of Pittsburgh Vision Services. Welsh served as an Ex Officio Trustee of APH and provided his valued input on many Trustee committees.

The remarkable contributions to his chosen profession centered around Welsh's visionary leadership in orientation and mobility. He was instrumental in establishing the O&M profession's Code of Ethics. Welsh, along with co-editor Bruce Blasch, wrote the authoritative textbook Foundations of Orientation and Mobility. He also wrote many articles and chapters in texts on mobility and on the psycho-social aspects of rehabilitation of the people who are visually impaired.

Among the many honors Welsh received are the Migel medal from AFB in 2004, NCPABVI Leadership Award in 2003, AER's Ambrose Shotwell Award in 1996, AER's Lawrence Blaha Award in 1988 and the C. Warren Bledsoe Award from AAWB in 1981. Professional awards were named in his honor, and he was named the 2008 Distinguished Alumni of the University of Pittsburgh School of Education. Welsh was inducted into the blindness field's Hall of Fame in 2008.

Welsh's accomplishments are too numerous to list here, for more information on his extraordinary life, visit Welsh's Hall of Fame biography page. Rick has been described as "larger than life," a visionary leader, very humble, approachable and a wise mentor and role model who quietly listened to others and made them feel valued.


Kevin

---The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can have the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back. NFB.ORG
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