International Mobility Conference Awards
- The IMC Award Committee will oversee the nomination and selection of the recipient for the Suterko-Cory Award and the IMC Distinguished Service Award.
- The award ceremony will take place during the conference at a time and place for the greatest participation of the attendees where the IMC Executive Committee representative will introduce the background of the Awards and the person selected by the awardee will present the award to the recipient.
- The award recipients will be requested to present an acceptance speech.
- A photographic record will be kept of each recipient of the Awards.
Guidelines for Submitting a Nomination for the Suterko-Cory Award
- Submit only the information on the official form; additional details are not required.
- Use the 700-word limit effectively to present a complete picture of the nominee.
- Highlight international involvement with a positive impact in O&M for blind and low vision professionals.
- List all innovations by the nominee relevant to the profession.
- Mention all countries worked in or visited professionally, excluding the home country.
- List all internationally published papers by the nominee.
- Note presentations made at international conferences.
- Detail any instructional courses provided to O&M professionals outside the nominee’s home country.
Guidelines for Submitting a Nomination for the IMC Distinguished Service Award
- Submit only the information on the official form; additional details are not required.
- Use the 700-word limit effectively to present a complete picture of the nominee.
- Nominees must reside in the country hosting the IMC.
- Contributions extend beyond the usual job requirements, which enhance the local O&M services and the field of orientation and mobility.
- Highlight initiated innovative methodologies and unique programs.
- Include contributions as a mentor or supervisor of O&M professionals.
- Note presentations made at local, regional and international conferences.
- Include professional published papers by the nominee
Suterko-Cory Award Nomination Form
If you would like to nominate someone for this significant IMC award, the following guidelines are to be followed:
Nominations must be made on this form and in English.
| Suterko-Cory Award Background | ||
| Mr. Suterko was one of the original pioneers who refined the “Hoover Techniques” and played a major role in the development of the teaching strategies. Suterko went on to be one of the first professors in the orientation and mobility program at Western Michigan University. He was one of the first O&M instructors to demonstrate and teach these techniques to professionals in other countries, going to England, Australia, Poland, and France to name a few. Many individuals from other countries also came to the US to learn from Mr. Suterko. Mr. Stanley Suterko was one of the first and most prominent to carry the O&M Torch from the US to professionals in other countries. This same O&M Torch was carried by Dennis Cory to light the way of independent travel for many European Countries. Mr. Cory made a significant contribution and commitment when he started and nurtured the IMC. This IMC seed that Cory planted in 1979 continues to grow and produce many fruits. It is because of the IMC, that there is such international sharing, communication, friendships, and cohesiveness between orientation and mobility specialists all over the world I believe this to be the fruits of the labor of Dennis Cory. | ||
| Eligibility | ||
| The intent of this special award is for individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of orientation and mobility (O&M) on an international basis. There have been many individuals who have served as ambassadors, teachers, mentors, innovators, and research in O&M. They have not been satisfied with the security of working in their own geographical area but have had the courage to extend themselves beyond their own country. Their pride in their work, their commitment to improve the lives of individuals with a visual impairment, and their professionalism goes beyond political boundaries. Often these individuals have gone above and beyond the call of duty and sacrificed much of their personal time to work many uncompensated hours that were only rewarded by personal satisfaction. The award is named after two such individuals who exemplify the intent of this award . | ||
| Previous winners | ||
| IMC 8 The award was announced, and a plaque was Presented in Trondheim, Norway in 1996 to its namesake Dennis Cory and later to Stanley Suterko in the US at the AER convention. IMC 9 The first award recipient was Theodor Reusch presented at the1998 meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. IMC 10 Tom Blair in Warwick, United Kingdom 2000 IMC 11 Robert Jaekle in Stellenbosch, South Africa 2003 IMC 12 Eric Ostergaard, in Hong Kong, China 2006 IMC 13 Bruce B. Blasch, in Marburg, Germany 2009 IMC 14 Nurit Neustadt-Noy, in Palmerston North, NZ 2012 IMC 15 Alan Brooks in Montreal, Canada, 2015 IMC 16 Steven LaGrow in Dublin Ireland, 2017 IMC 17 Duane Geruschat, Sweden, 2021 IMC 18 Laura Bozeman, Warsaw, Poland, 2023 | ||
| Nominee’s contact details: | ||
| Name | ||
| Address | ||
| Phone | ||
| Nominees academic and Professional background including the years of experience in the field of O&M (Max 50 words) | ||
| Current employment including duties relevant to O&M (Max 75 words) | ||
| Reasons for making this nomination. A narrative of the significant contributions to the field of O&M on an national basis within the country of residence of the nominee (see Eligibility) (Max 700 words) | ||
| Return Before | August 1, 2026 | |
| Return to | bearconsul@aol.com | |
| Nominator’s name | ||
| Address | ||
| Phone | ||
The winner of this award will be informed and announced in September 2026.
IMC Distinguished Service Award Nomination Form
If you would like to nominate someone for this significant IMC award, the following guidelines are to be followed:
Nominations must be made on this form and in English.
| Award Background | ||
| Within the international community there are many individuals who have made a significant contribution to the field of orientation and mobility within their own countries. In order to recognize these individuals, IMC Executive Committee will initiate the IMC Distinguished Service Award to be presented at each International Mobility Conference beginning in 2026 in India. | ||
| Eligibility | ||
| The intent of this special award is for individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of orientation and mobility (O&M) in their country of residence hosting the IMC conference. Criteria for this award is service which excels beyond the usual job duties to enhance the field of O&KM such as: initiating innovative methodologies and/or unique programs. developing new technologies and/or applications of technologies. serving as a mentor and/or supervisor of Orientation and Mobility Specialists. presenting at local, regional, and/or international conferences; and publishing articles in a professional journal. | ||
| Nominees contact details: | ||
| Name | ||
| Address | ||
| Phone | ||
| Nominees academic and Professional background including the years of experience in the field of O&M (Max 50 words) | ||
| Current employment including duties relevant to O&M (Max 75 words) | ||
| Reasons for making this nomination. A narrative of the significant contributions to the field of O&M (see Eligibility) (Max 700 words) | ||
| Return Before | August 1, 2026 | |
| Return to | bearconsul@aol.com | |
| Nominator’s name | ||
| Address | ||
| Phone | ||
The winner of this award will be informed and announced in September 2026.