A Blind Young Man who Changed Australia's National Currency to be Honored at National Braille Press Annual Gala

National Braille Press (NBP) announced today that its “Hands On” award this year will go to 14 year-old Connor McLeod of Australia who led a national effort to change the way Australia’s currency is printed so that the blind and visually impaired are able to identify money more easily. Connor’s campaign resulted in the Royal Bank of Australia agreeing to add tactile braille labels to bank notes. NBP will present him with the award at their annual gala, “A Million Laughs for Literacy” to be held at the Renaissance Waterfront Hotel in Boston, November 12, 2015. The gala brings together leaders from the community who are committed to NBP’s mission of promoting braille literacy for blind and visually impaired children.

The gala will also feature world famous blind adventurer, Erik Weihenmayer, who will be a special guest. Prior to the gala event, Erik and Connor are also planning to rock climb together at Central Rock Gym in Watertown at on November 12.

“I read Erik’s book not long after finding out Connor was blind. He is a very inspirational man,” said Ally Lancaster, mother of Connor McLeod. “It made me determined for Connor to be confident and adventurous just like him hence the rock climbing, abseiling (rappelling) and wild caving activities that he does. Now Connor will actually get to meet him!”

Connor McLeod’s quest to change Australia’s national currency began when he was 12 years old and received money for Christmas but could not distinguish the amounts on the notes. He had been blind since birth and always relied on his mother to tell him the exact amount of cash he had, preferring to use coins that were easily identified. He started a petition drive and received 57,000 signatures asking the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to make tactile notes available for the blind and visually impaired. The RBA agreed and is in the planning stages of adding tactile features to their next generation of bills.

When Erik Weihenmayer’s vision was taken from him by age 13, he refused to let blindness overtake him and continued to participate in youth activities such as rock climbing and wrestling. Weihenmayer proved himself to be a true motivator by being the only blind person to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 2001. Since then, he has climbed the tallest peak on every continent in the world. A graduate of Boston College and native of Connecticut, Weihenmayer was previously honored by NBP in 2005.

“We are truly coming full circle at this year’s event with two inspirational leaders in the blind community who are from different generations,” said Brian Mac Donald, President of the National Braille Press. “Erik Weihenmayer and Connor McLeod have both demonstrated that there are no barriers to being blind or visually impaired. It is inspiring to see Erik and Connor make such a positive impact on their own lives and the lives of others.”

This year’s event is co-chaired by Danny Hirce, SVP at State Street Bank Corporation, Tom Crohan, Assistant VP and Counsel at John Hancock and Tom Sullivan Chairman and Founder of Lumber Liquidators. Sullivan has continuously supported NBP for over a decade, first becoming involved with NBP in 2001 after listening to a radio interview of Weinhenmayer who was being honored that year. Sullivan was so inspired by Weihenmayer’s message that he purchased a ticket to the event and began his longtime support of the organization. Crohan, whose parents are both braille readers, grew up reading National Braille Press’s Children’s Braille Book Club on a regular basis. Hirce joined the National Braille Press Board in 2014 to share his love of reading with the blind community. The Hirce family has underwritten the publication of Tweeting Blind, Get the Picture and Good Night Moon with tactiles.

“A Million Laughs for Literacy” also features a performance by stand-up comedian Gary Gulman, a native of Peabody, Mass. a finalist on the NBC hit series Last Comic Standing.

ABOUT NATIONAL BRAILLE PRESS

A non-profit braille publisher, National Braille Press promotes literacy for blind children through outreach programs and provides access to information by producing information in braille for blind children and adults. www.nbp.org