Mr Knight received the award at a special meeting of the local branch of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind in Balclutha on Tuesday.
The award is thought to be the first of its type given to a long-serving foundation member.
Mr Knight joined the foundation 33 years ago and has held all office-bearing roles during that time.
Failing eyesight prompted him to stand down and the foundation saw this as the right time to acknowledge his contribution.
South Otago spokeswoman Joy West said Mr Knight (83) had been "the face of the blind" in South Otago for longer than most people could remember.
He was convener of the popular Talking Books programme, helped organise and run the annual appeals and Red Puppy appeal and served as a volunteer driver, ferrying members to appointments and events.
In 2003, he was awarded the Queens Service Medal for services to the community and the blind.
Mr Knight said he was humbled by the latest award.
He was happy to now stand back and let others help make a difference for blind and visually-impaired people.
