COUNCIL FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN DIVISION ON VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS PRESENTS 2007 AWARDS AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN BOSTON

DIVISION ON VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS DISSERTATION OF THE YEAR

Pictured: Dr. Derrick Smith, DVI Dissertation of the Year Award winner with Dr. Pat Kelley and Dr. Nora Griffin-Shirley from Texas Tech University.

The Council for Exceptional Children Division on Visual Impairments (DVI) is proud to present the Dissertation of the Year Award to Dr. Derrick Smith at the International Conference in Boston on April 3, 2008.  Dr. Smith recently completed his degree in visual impairment at Texas Tech University. The Dissertation of the Year Award is presented to a DVI member who makes a significant contribution to the field through extensive study and research.

Dr. Smith’s dissertation, Assistive Technology Competencies for Teachers of Student with Visual Impairments:  A Delphi Study was recently completed.  Dr. Smith’s study was designed to identify and develop a comprehensive set of assistive technology competencies that should be attained by individuals who complete a program for teachers of students with visual impairments. Dr. Smith received this prestigious award for his dissertation in the area of assistive technology competencies that can be used by university programs for the education of teacher candidates for students with blindness, deafblindness, and multiple disabilities.

As an educator in the field of blindness, Dr. Smith has been a catalyst for the development and education of children with visual impairment.  Dr. Smith has dedicated his life to teaching and to service at the local, state, and national levels. Derrick Smith is a teacher, a researcher, and an advocate.  He is considered an outstanding teacher and leader in the field of blindness and visual impairments.

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