About the NFB Info About Vision Loss For...Members Resources Products and Technology Publications

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: It is my honor to recommend Sam Dooley for the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award. I first met Sam in 2014 as he began his journey towards ensuring inclusive practices for students who are blind and visually impaired as they relate to braille and Nemeth accessibility. At that time, Sam was developing a math equation editor that would be used by Pearson as part of a high-stakes testing platform. When Sam learned about the numerous issues of accessibility regarding the integration of Nemeth code within equation editors, he dove headfirst into the world of education for the blind and visually impaired. He visited classrooms and spoke with blind students and their teachers of students with visual impairments (TSVI). I was a TSVI in one of the districts that Sam visited and was immediately impressed by the way he listened sincerely to the needs and concerns of all — Sam took their feedback and immediately got to work. Within a short time, Sam taught himself Nemeth (no small feat!) and started on the path toward the important breakthrough of an integrated Nemeth translation platform that could be used efficiently by both blind and sighted users. In my current role as a specialist for blind, visually impaired, and deafblind education at Education Service Center Region 13, Sam and I have talked often about the Equalize Editor and how it works — I wish my brain were as quick as his so that I could accurately describe how it works. What I do know is that a sighted user, an Algebra II teacher for example, can type in an equation that will immediately translate into Nemeth code for a blind student, without requiring the expertise of a TSVI. On the other hand, a blind student who has paired their refreshable braille display with their laptop can enter an equation using the Nemeth code which is automatically visible in print for their sighted teacher. Simply stated, the Equalize Editor is a game changer for blind students and their teachers. When I invited Sam to provide a training on the Editor for the TSVIs and braillists in central Texas, the excitement and awe was palpable. As Sam demonstrated the Editor, the professionals in the room were thrilled by the prospects of how it could be integrated into educational practice; they asked important questions and offered suggestions based on their areas of expertise. In summation, Sam’s contribution to the field of accessibility in the development of the Equalize Editor has been transformative. His pursuit of inclusivity and innovation exemplifies the spirit of the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award, making him an exceptional candidate deserving of this honor.
To avoid multiple recommendation submissions, please click submit one time only.

The Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award

Letter of Recommendation Form