American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
Future Reflections Special Issue on Ethnic and Cultural Diversity
Announcements
SCHOLARSHIPS
2020 National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Finalists
On May 6, 2020, the National Federation of the Blind announced the finalists for its annual scholarship program, which provides financial assistance and connects students with mentoring and other resources. The thirty scholarship finalists are listed below in alphabetical order with their home states and vocational goals.
Robert (Rob) Blachowicz, Arkansas: Counseling
Christopher (Chris) Bove, Rhode Island: Public Service
Brianna (Bri) Broadwater, Maryland: Psychologist or Educator
Michael (Mick) Carey-Thomann, Alaska: Lawyer
Sean Carlson, Oregon: Vocational Rehabilitation Instructor
Natalie Charbonneau, Oregon: Animal Genetics and Conservation Researcher
Moreblessings Chikavanga, Texas: Civil Rights/Disability Lawyer
Kevin Darcy, Colorado: Anthropology Professor
Matthew Duffell-Hoffman, South Carolina: Electrical Engineer
Paxton Franke, North Dakota: Forensic Pathologist
Lauren (Elaine) Hardin, Georgia: Higher Education Student Affairs Administrator
Kaitlyn (Kat) Hippe, Wisconsin: Languages and Education
Emily Kiehl, Ohio: Information Technology
Josh Loebner, Tennessee: Inclusive Advertising
Sara Luna, Illinois: Museum Accessibility
Victor Marques, Michigan: Vision Rehabilitation Therapist and Access Technology Specialist
Griffin Miller, Pennsylvania: Actuary
Brian Mucyo, Arizona: Human Rights Lawyer
Marissa Nissley, New Jersey: Attorney
Sherry Pablo, California: Public Health, Health Policy and Management
Precious Perez, Massachusetts: Music Educator
Teresita Rios, California: Attorney
Syed Rizvi, Massachusetts: Civil Rights Lawyer
Dannielle Schutz, Nebraska: Medical Scientist
Nicolas (Nick) Spohn, Pennsylvania: Mechanical Engineer
Logan Stenzel, Minnesota: Finance and Technology Entrepreneur
Marie Villaneda, Indiana: Orientation and Mobility Instructor
Monica Wegner, Minnesota: Corporate Attorney
Alek Wolfe, Vermont: Broadcasting
Brayan Zamarripa, Oklahoma: Media Production
AWARDS
STEM DIVE Challenge (Diversity and Inclusion Video Exposition)
https://www.nsf.gov/ehr/stemdive.jsp
Contact: [email protected]
Deadline for entries: June 25, 2020
The National Science Foundation (NSF) invites grantees from all NSF programs to showcase in the form of a short video (one to three minutes) how forging partnerships, networks, or alliances has contributed to an increase in diversity and inclusion in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). All entries must be submitted by a principal investigator (PI) on any previous or currently funded NSF award. These videos will be used by NSF and its programs in various platforms such as websites, fair exhibitions, or printed materials to exhibit how grantees have encouraged and supported diversity and inclusion in STEM pre-K-grade 12, higher, and informal education. This challenge is also designed to attract broader interest in STEM and to inform the greater community about best practices and effective practices for increasing diversity and inclusion, partnership and networking strategies, and dissemination approaches for growing the STEM workforce. Up to four $2,500 Experts' Choice and up to two $1,250 People's Choice awards will be given for the most compelling videos in several categories. Videos should be sent by email to the address above.
BELL ACADEMIES
https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-bell-academy
Many parents and teachers have expressed concern over the NFB BELL® Academies and what the Federation will do this summer to support our blind youth. This summer BELL Academy will be condensed into three nationally taught and coordinated sessions with support from the NFB BELL affiliates. The three two-week 2020 BELL In Home Edition programs will be held June 1 through June 20; June 22 through July 3; and July 27 through August 7. Registration is free of charge, but spaces are limited.
Approximately eighteen lessons will be selected from the NFB BELL Academy curriculum, and videos will be created to show families how to do each lesson. Each registered student will receive the necessary materials by mail. Each day during the two-week sessions there will be two opportunities for families to connect via web or phone with an experienced teacher, one session at 11 a.m. and one at 6 p.m. EDT. These sessions will give families the chance to connect with teachers and to get to know one another. The 11 a.m. session during the June 22-July 3 BELL Academy will be conducted in Spanish.
SURVEY
Educational Apps
https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/education-technology-survey
During this time of increased reliance on online tools to educate our children, which may or may not be accessible, the National Federation of the Blind wants to collect data regarding the experiences of blind parents and parents of blind children. The NFB would like to know the types of apps that are being used for online learning, how these apps are being used, and whether these apps are accessible to blind parents and/or blind children. The NFB would like to hold school systems and educational companies that create apps accountable. Blind children and blind parents have just as much right to access these educational tools as sighted parents and children do. Please set aside fifteen to thirty minutes of your time to fill out this survey.
Media Share
