Join the U.S. Congress, Maryland Department of Disabilities  and the disability community within UMBC and beyond to celebrate National Assistive Technology (AT) Awareness Day.

National AT Awareness Day honors people with disabilities who require AT to access their education, workplace, community, and recreational activities. The day also recognizes the innovation of researchers, educators, and the dedication of AT specialists and program providers who operate AT programs so that millions of individuals can acquire and use low-cost and often no-cost AT.  

Every state has an Assistive Technology Program that is a resource for its residents - information on Maryland's Assistive Technology program MDTAP is linked here.  MDTAP AT loan libraries are located throughout the state with nine community locations so people can try out devices for suitability before committing to a purchase.  Assistive Technology is in regular use on campus.

Learn more about Maryland's AT High Tech Reuse Program on June 12th via the MDoD webinar, register via this Zoom link - potentially a no-cost option for some Maryland residents.

More information about National Assistive Technology Day is available at the link below.

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland is in nearby Halethorpe and works with Marylanders and vision loss, including connecting with resources for incorporating assistive technology into daily living.  Celebrate with group of AT users this Saturday at their upcoming Brew Reveal.

#ATAwarenessDay #disability #disabilityinclusion

The National Federation of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland each administer a separate scholarship program for post-secondary students.  Both scholarships have been significantly enhanced this year.  The deadline to apply for an NFB scholarship is March 31, 2022, and the deadline to apply for an NFBMD Scholarship is April 15, 2022.

National Scholarship Program: Each year, the NFB awards 30 merit-based scholarships totaling $240,000. 

• Each scholarship recipient will receive $8,000 and additional prizes.
• Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, leadership, and community service.
• The 30 scholarship finalists are announced in the spring and attend the National Convention, where they are mentored by blind role models.
• Application materials must be submitted (online or postmarked) by 11:59PM on March 31, 2022.
• To be eligible, applicants must:
• Be legally blind in both eyes;
• Reside in the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico;
• Be pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, post-secondary course of study in a degree program at a U.S. institution in the Fall of 2022 (one scholarship may be awarded to an individual who works full-time and attends school part-time);
• Be age 18 before July 5, 2022; and
• Attend the entire National Convention of the National Federation of the Blind (and all scholarship activities) in New Orleans, Louisiana from July 5 through 10, 2022 (scholarship finalists will receive convention financial assistance).
• To apply:
• Submit an application using the online application system at https://nfb.org/civicrm/scholarships/login; or
• Download, complete, and email or mail in a hard copy application form by visiting: https://nfb.org/scholarships.

State Scholarship Program: The NFB of Maryland will award up to four scholarships of $4,000 each as part of the John T. McCraw Scholarship Program. NFBMD may award a scholarship to a former McCraw scholarship recipient. 

• Scholarships are merit-based and awarded based on academic achievement, community involvement, and leadership.
• Application materials must be submitted (online or postmarked) by 11:59PM on April 15, 2022.
• To be eligible, applicants must:
• Be legally blind in both eyes;
• reside in Maryland or be pursuing post-secondary studies at a school in Maryland;
• be age 18 prior to July 5, 2022;
• Be pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time or part-time, post-secondary course of study in a degree program in the Fall of 2022 and Spring of 2023 (priority will be given to full-time students); and
• Attend the entire National Convention of the National Federation of the Blind in New Orleans, Louisiana from July 5 through 10, 2022 and the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Towson, Maryland from November 11 – 13, 2022 (scholarship finalists will receive convention financial assistance).
• To apply:
• Submit an application using the online application system at http://nfbmd.org/scholarship/apply; or
• Download, complete, and email or mail in a hard copy application form by visiting: http://nfbmd.org/scholarship.