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The Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award

Letter of Recommendation Form
Thank you for your support of the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards program.
Please complete the form below to submit your letter of recommendation in support of the award nominee. Recommendations cannot exceed 800 words. You will not be able to submit your recommendation if the maximum word count exceeds 800 words.
Please note that recommendations should come from someone other than the person who nominated the candidate. Please note that required fields on this form are indicated by an asterisk (*).

* Nominee Name:
* Your First Name:
* Your Last Name:
* Your State:
* Your Phone Number:
* Your Email Address:
* Your Relationship to Nominee:

Please enter your letter of recommendation in the text area provided below: Dear Members of the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award Committee, On behalf of the Board of Directors for Donka, Inc., I would like to nominate Ann Byrne for the 2024 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award. Ann is an instructor at Donka and the embodiment of this award. Donka’s mission is to empower abilities through assistive technology. Our computer training and job placement services enable people with disabilities to pursue their dreams and live life on their terms. Ann, who was born blind, is the premier instructor for people with visual impairments at Donka. She is highly sought after for instruction as well as for presentations to community groups. For her students, many of which are newly blind, she becomes a lifelong mentor that goes beyond technology and includes support for everyday living. BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS FACING BLIND PEOPLE IN AN INNOVATIVE WAY Ann uses technology to break down barriers. She personally tries every new device, program, or assistive technology designed for blind or visually impaired individuals. Once she learns it, she readily shares with others. In addition, she tests websites for our county and local universities to help ensure accessibility. She graduated from the University of Illinois in the 1960s where she advocated for herself. Then went on to a successful career as a programmer when there were not only few women programmers but few corporations accommodating people with disabilities. Her love of technology and creative way of solving problems serves her students well, especially those enrolled in local colleges with challenging accommodations. CHANGING NEGATIVE PERCEPTIONS OF BLINDNESS AND BLIND PEOPLE Before meeting Ann, I was under the impression that a life without sight was a life without adventure. After meeting Ann, I learned that life is one big adventure full of much joy and similar challenges and worries as my own. She takes everything in stride and willingly gives up many evenings to share her story with various community groups. Everyone leaves with a positive perception of what it truly means living a life to the fullest as a person who is also blind. PUSHING PAST EXISTING BOUNDARIES TO INSPIRE BLIND PEOPLE TO ACHIEVE NEW HEIGHTS Many people come to Donka who are new to vision loss. They don’t know where to begin or how to even turn on the computer, much less how to reconnect with the world. Ann listens to understand what they want to achieve. Before they know it, they are laughing and learning and making their dreams reality. “Life changing” is how I’ve heard various students describe their time with Ann. Ann believes everyone has potential. It’s simply a matter of finding that potential and developing it. She is a true difference maker in the lives of so many. We are fortunate to have her at Donka and hope your committee gets a small sense of the incredible work Ann does to help our community and empower potential. If you have any questions or would like to hear more about the amazing person that is Ann Byrne, please contact me at 847-209-8443. Thank you for your consideration! Sincerely, Rhonda Pavicich President, Board of Directors Donka, Inc.
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The Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award

Letter of Recommendation Form