By: Jonathan Bennett

The fifth annual Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards were recently held at the 2012 National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Convention, and the group was able to give out some amazing and life-changing prizes.

The NFB handed out $80,000 in awards to individuals and organizations around the nation who have worked toward achieving the "full integration of the blind into society on a basis of equality."

"The National Federation of the Blind is proud to honor the memory and spirit of Dr. Bolotin by recognizing and financially supporting those who are doing exceptional work to help achieve the shared dream of Dr. Bolotin and the National Federation of the Blind – a society where the blind are treated as productive, independent, and equal citizens," said Dr. Marc Maurer, president of the NFB.

According to the Bolotin Awards official website, Dr. Jacob Bolotin was a blind physician in Chicago in the early twentieth century. He was well-known in his field and used his numerous public speaking engagements to advocate for the employment of the blind and for their acceptance into society.