Each year, through its Steve Perreault Award, the National Family Association for DeafBlind (NFADB) recognizes a family member or professional who has created a lasting and profound impact on quality of life for individuals with deafblindness and their families. It involves a competitive selection process in which prospective candidates are nominated by NFADB members who are family members of individuals who are deafblind. 

The award is given in recognition of Steve Perreault who brought hope to countless families. Steve was instrumental in strengthening advocacy for families of children with deafblindness and helped found NFADB. He worked and volunteered in the field of deafblindness nationally and internationally from the 1970s until he passed away in October 2019. Steve championed NFADB’s core belief that “individuals who are deafblind are valued members of their communities and should have the same opportunities and choices as others in the community.”

past recipients of the Professional Award

NFADB is very proud to announce Faye Manaster (IL) and Kathy McNulty (NY) as the recipients of the 2021-2022 Steve Perreault Award. Congratulations!!

This year, The Steve Perreault Award recognized professionals who have created a lasting and profound impact on the quality of life for individuals living with deafblindness and their families.

Recipients of the 2021-2022 Steve Perreault Award are the heroes among us

• who live and work with passion and demonstrate outstanding advocacy to benefit families with individuals who are deafblind

• who have shown outstanding leadership in the deafblind community to make a difference at the local, state and national levels.

This award is given annually in recognition of Steve Perreault who grew up in Massachusetts and began working in the deafblind program at Perkins School for the Blind in 1978. He worked and volunteered in the field of deafblindness locally, nationally and internationally for over 40 years.