Ironically, I just received a copy of the book Louis Braille, A Touch of Genius
for Christmas, and it is indeed well written. One hates to see someone so
talented leave one career, especially when it’s for a blindness organization to
which she has contributed so very much, but it sounds as though she’ll have more
adventures ahead which will be just as fulfilling. I fear a successor to her
will be hard to find.
Linda G.
From: ourplace-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ourplace-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Marty Rimpau
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2016 7:14 AM
To: our place list
Subject: [ourplace] NBP Announces Departure of Publisher Diane Croft
An incredibly talented woman who has contributed so much to the promotion of
published braille.
National Braille Press Announces Departure of Publisher Diane Croft
National Braille Press today announced that Publisher Diane Croft will step down
in April 2016. After 34 years of service to NBP and to the blindness community,
Diane is excited to embark on this next stage in her career, devoting full-time
to publishing under a new imprint, Interleaf Press, and the release of her book
on the collective unconscious this summer.
"I consider myself the luckiest person in the world to have had the privilege
and honor of working in this community for so many years," said Diane. "At NBP,
I work alongside a group of enormously talented, hardworking individuals, who
care deeply about braille. Stepping away from what I know and love is hard, but
change also brings new energy and creativity."
After receiving her master's degree from Harvard University, Diane was hired by
then-NBP President Bill Raeder to oversee NBP's publishing efforts and new
product development. Among her first accomplishments were the launch of the
first Children's Braille Book Club, a weekly editorial newspaper, Syndicated
Columnists Weekly, and the start of NBP's self-help books on access technology.
Since then, her commitment to the promotion and advocacy of braille is renowned
throughout the world.
The blindness community has recognized Diane for her contributions to the field
with numerous awards, including the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award and the Jacobus
tenBroek Award from the National Federation of the Blind, the 1990 Book Award
from the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, the
Uncommon Vision Award, and the Bay State Council of the Blind Outstanding
Service Award. She received the Hands On! Award from NBP in 2012 for her efforts
to promote braille literacy, an award that has also been given to Former First
Lady Laura Bush, J.K. Rowling, then Senator John Kerry, and Sabriye Tenberken.
Diane is a published author and editor of dozens of publications, including the
award-winning biography of the inventor of braille, Louis Braille: A Touch of
Genius, which has been translated into seven languages.
Brian Mac Donald, President of NBP said, "Diane is a brilliant writer and
editor, and she is loved and admired in this community because she has been a
passionate, thoughtful, and caring advocate for the blind and visually impaired.
Her creative leadership in supporting braille literacy programs for children has
left a permanent mark in the history of braille."
NBP has established a search committee to identify Diane's successor.
