AEBC/Allyant Scholarship

The Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC) is a grassroots organization that works to improve the lives of blind, deafblind and partially sighted Canadians through education, empowerment, and advocacy. Each year, we offer scholarships to recognize outstanding blind, deafblind and partially sighted post-secondary students. This year, we are pleased to offer five awards in total. Eligible applicants will be considered for all scholarships; a separate application for each is not required. Previous applicants or past recipients are eligible to reapply if qualified. The AEBC Student and Education Committee reviews all applications and selects all scholarship recipients.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the following qualifications:

• Applicants must be:

1. Blind (no vision or light perception in the better eye, visual acuity of 20/200 or less); or
2. Deafblind (combined sight and hearing impairment causes difficulties with communication, access to information and mobility [inability to travel independently due to lack of vision/hearing]); or
3. Partially Sighted (visual acuity of 20/80 or less in the better eye with best correction or a visual field less than 20 degrees [Snellan eye chart.])

• Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. Enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution at a college or university, a vocational, educational upgrading, or performing arts program.
• Exchange students studying abroad, students enrolled in programs not available in Canada, students not accepted into a Canadian program, where the program abroad is clearly superior to those available in Canada, or paying fees to a Canadian educational institution.
• Enrolled in a minimum of two courses in the 2023-24 academic year in your chosen program

How to apply

1. Submit an application in either English or French;
2. Ensure that the application is complete, including all of the following:
   a) The application form (Download English; Download French);
   b) A copy of your most recent transcript;
   c) A personal essay about yourself, approximately 2000 words in length; (NOTE: We can only know applicants through the information they provide.) Please be thorough and include:
   • A description of your visual condition and any additional medical or disability information that may be relevant;
   • The challenges you have faced as a result of your disability and how you have conquered them;
   • Your personal interests;
   • Your academic goals;
   • School activities, and work experience;
   • Your views about the meaning of accessible education, discussing your preferred formats for accessing information (digital and internet access), and the role self-advocacy plays in your success as a student;
   • Explain the importance of your community involvement including an accomplishment or unexpected outcome of this activity that has made you feel proud of yourself.
   d) A letter of reference written within the past twelve months.