2027 TAER Conference April 28 - May 1, 2027 @Waco Hilton
The O&M Best Practices award is given to an individual or group of individuals who demonstrate exemplary standards in professionalism, has effective communication, is creative in teaching skills, and plays an integral role in teaming with other professionals and family members.
The Bob Bryant and Bill Bryan Leadership Award is given to an individual (an O&M specialist or layperson) who has had an enduring impact on the field of O&M in the state of Texas. This award is in honor of Bill Bryan and Bob Bryant who demonstrated leadership through the development of professionals to serve blind and visually impaired individuals in Texas and continued to serve the field in a variety of positions. The recipient should be a person who has unceasingly served the O&M field in many capacities, i.e. as a TAER officer, committee member, SWOMA organizer, researcher/author, conference presenter, promoter of better O&M services for students/consumers, advocate for O&M professionalism and growth, etc.
The Mike Shirley O&M Student Award is presented to an O&M student/consumer who has shown unusual determination and courage as he/she endeavored to learn and maintain the skills needed to be an independent traveler to the highest degree possible.