Newton’s Carroll Center For The Blind Honors 5 People Making An Impact

NEWTON, MA – Five individuals with vision loss were awarded by the Carroll Center for the Blind through its annual Carroll Society Awards.

In collaboration with the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, the Carroll Society Awards recognize blind and visually impaired employees who have made significant contributions to their companies or nonprofit organizations, serving as both leaders and examples for others, despite employment barriers.

At an awards ceremony held on June 15, the following individuals were inducted into the Carroll Society:

• Barbara Balsamo, Emergency Line Operator at The Baker Center for Children and Families in Boston
• Josh Pearson, Program Coordinator at Polus Center for Social & Economic Development Inc. in Gardner
• Karen Santiago, Community Outreach Coordinator at Easterseals Massachusetts in Worcester
• Sarah Wiles, CAP Advocate at the Massachusetts Office on Disability in Boston

The Carroll Center also recognized Erich Manser with the Thomas J. Carroll Award for Employment as the “Blind Employee of the Year,” for his work as a aigital accessibility consultant at Harvard University.

“These individuals are making tremendously positive contributions to their organizations and communities,” Gregory J. Donnelly, President and CEO of the Carroll Center for the Blind, said in a news release. “Despite the challenges of vision loss, they continue to be an inspiration to everyone around them, and we couldn’t be prouder to recognize their accomplishments.”