Blind Citizens NZ has several opportunities for Branches, Networks, and Ordinary Members to recognise and acknowledge the work and achievements of people within the blind community. Depending on the criteria for a specific award, this may mean there is an individual, organisation, or a business that could be recognised. A summary of these opportunities follow.

All nominations require detailed supporting information to be provided. For three of these opportunities, nominations and supporting information must be received by midnight, Sunday 10 August. This applies to: Extra Touch Award, Beamish Memorial Medal, and Johnston Cup for Leadership.

Details for each of these three awards follows…

1. Beamish Memorial Award: The Beamish Memorial Award is the most prestigious award Blind Citizens NZ has the honour and privilege of awarding to anyone within the organisation. Only Ordinary Members of Blind Citizens NZ who have made an outstanding contribution to society in their particular field of service to the community, are eligible. Perhaps you know of someone you believe meets the criteria, and whose outstanding efforts should be recognised.

2. Extra Touch Award: This award recognises an individual or organisation where, as part of the process of providing service to the public, there is an outstanding contribution towards improving access or services to blind and vision impaired people. There are many opportunities to recognise these contributions, including access to: information, society, technology, transport and pedestrian safety, everyday equipment, educational, vocational or recreational opportunities, shops and customer service, and services in general.

When making a nomination, be sure to include the nominee’s name and contact details. Include information that tells the Board how the nomination meets the Extra Touch Award criteria.

3. Johnston Cup for Leadership: Blind Citizens NZ aims to encourage members to accept leadership responsibilities inside and outside the blindness community; and to develop an environment that recognises them for their leadership wherever and whatever that might be or mean for them.

The Johnston Cup for Leadership encourages and recognises leadership potential from amongst Ordinary Members of Blind Citizens NZ.

There may well be people who meet the criteria who have contributed in some demonstrable way to the betterment of the community by way of their leadership. Or they may have assumed leadership responsibilities that are far more than the role they hold.