Distinguished Service Award

The DVIDB Distinguished Service Award is to recognize exemplary leadership and commitment to the field of education and rehabilitation of students with visual impairments and deafblindness.

2022 Winner

Distinguished Service Award

Dr. Susan Bruce

Susan Bruce, Ph.D., is a Professor of Special Education at Boston College and Chair of the Department of Teaching, Curriculum, and Society. She coordinates two Masters degree programs: (1) Special Education in Intensive Support Needs and (2) Global Perspectives: Teaching, Curriculum, and Learning Environments. Susan is a graduate of Michigan State University, having completed the teacher preparation programs in general education, intellectual disability, blindness/visual impairment, and deafblindness. She was employed at Michigan State for nine years, working with students in the programs in visual impairment and deafblindness. Susan has than 35 years of experience teaching and consulting in adult services, schools, and university settings that serve children and adults who are blind/visually impaired or deafblind. Susan’s major research interest is in communication development and intervention, and especially how learners who are deafblind develop symbolic expression. She has also conducted numerous action research studies and produced writings about assessment. Susan has published more than sixty peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, as well as policy papers and other writings, with most being of relevance to individuals who are blind/visually impaired or deafblind.