Awards
A formal application is required for any of the following awards. Submissions will be considered by the Director of the School of Disability Studies in consultation with the School’s Awards Committee. Deadline for all award applications is June 1. Awards are presented annually at a ceremony in July during the Disability Studies Summer Institute. Be sure to include your name, student number, address, telephone number and e-mail address with your application, which should be submitted directly to:
Kathryn Church, Director
School of Disability Studies, Ryerson University
350 Victoria Street Toronto, ON M5B 2K3
Phone: 416 979 5000 x.4592, Fax:416 979-5209
Disability Studies Awards
- M.K. Chant Disability Studies Awards
- Civitan International Foundation of Canada Disability Studies Citizenship Award
- Malcolm Jeffreys Memorial Leadership Award
- Karen Tench Memorial Award in Community Inclusion and Advocacy
- Harry E Foster Memorial Award
- Jake Edelson Award in Community Organizing
- Bill and Lucille Owen Award in Public Policy
- Emma Hardie International Disability Award
- Cindy and Jamie Thomson Disability History Memorial Award
- Beth Foulkes Community Living Award
M.K.Chant Disability Studies Awards
The MK Chant Disability Studies Awards are for returning students who demonstrate a commitment to working with or on behalf of people with disabilities coupled with openness to new ideas and approaches.
Scholarship amount: 2 Awards up to $2200
Selection Criteria
The awards are open to Ontario-resident students registered in the Disability Studies degree program. The award recipients cannot be receiving any other significant awards or scholarships from the University.
- Minimum B+ average according to GPA in Disability Studies courses.
- Completion of 3 courses, DST 501 and two (2) additional courses.
- Demonstrated financial need reflected in budget submitted at time of award application including equipment and support systems that may be needed to assist a student to complete the program
The following are to be provided by the student applying:
- 500-word statement demonstrating commitment to working with or on behalf of people with disabilities coupled with an openness to new ideas and approaches.
- Indication of financial need including costs associated with distance education or on campus intensive course (internet, computer, accommodation, travel, tuition).
Civitan International Foundation of Canada Disability Studies Citizenship Award
Scholarship amount: 2 Awards up to $1000
This will be awarded to a student in the Disability Studies program who demonstrates the capacity to be a “builder of good citizenship”, committed to making a difference in their world, and who
- Demonstrates the capacity to listen to the voices and stories of those whose citizenship is “precarious” (Frazee, 2002).
- Demonstrates evidence of commitment to issues of social justice as they relate to supporting people with intellectual and physical disabilities .
Criteria for this Award include:
- Enrolling in the first required course, DST 501:Perspectives in Disability 1.
- Employment by a community agency serving people with intellectual and physical disabilities.
The following are to be provided by the student applying:
- Resume
- 500-word statement which highlights “good citizenship”, the capacity to listen, and a commitment to social justice
- Letter of support from a parent with a disabled family member, member of community organization or advocacy group, etc. who can speak to applicant’s commitment and/or involvements.
Malcolm Jeffreys Memorial Leadership Award
(established by COMMUNITY LIVING WINDSOR)
Scholarship amount: 1 Award up to $1000
This will be awarded to a student who demonstrates excellence and leadership promise.
- Has achieved high academic standing
- Exhibits potential leadership qualities
- Demonstrates by example a commitment to improving the quality of life for disabled Canadians
Criteria for this award include:
- Completion of DST 501 and two additional DST courses
- High academic performance
- Ability to advance the understanding of equality and inclusion
- Demonstrated commitment to improving life for other students
- Contribution to the reputation of the school
- Demonstrated financial need
The following are to be provided:
- Nomination - paragraph stating reasons.
- Reference letter of support from faculty member or employer.
Karen Tench Memorial Award in Community Inclusion and Advocacy
Scholarship amount: 1 Award up to $1000
This will be awarded to a student who has achieved high academic standing and who possesses the qualities so associated with Karen herself:
- Leadership by example
- Demonstrated innovation
- Personal commitment
- Respect for families
- Courage to speak out for others, and
- The capacity to embrace life with laughter.
Criteria for this award include:
- Completion of DST 501 and four additional DST courses
- High academic performance
- Ability to advance the understanding of equality and inclusion
- Demonstrated commitment to improving the quality of life for disabled Canadians
The following are to be provided:
- Nomination - paragraph giving examples of commitment and advocacy.
- Reference letter of support from faculty member, employer or family member who can speak to the example(s) in (2)
Students may nominate themselves or be nominated by another student or faculty member.
Harry E Foster Memorial Award
Scholarship amount: 1 Award up to $1150
This Award recognizes the lifetime work of Harry E. Foster, and in particular his efforts to initiate and coordinate research and education projects in intellectual disability at universities across Canada.
Criteria for this Award include:
- Consistently high academic achievement
- Work/personal experience in the field of intellectual disability
- Evidence of professional commitment
- Contribution to the reputation of the School of Disability Studies
- Financial need
The following are to be provided:
- Submission of a resume (self) or (if nominating another) a paragraph giving examples of professional/personal commitment
- A paper or essay by the candidate written for a course in the Disability studies program
- Indication of financial need related to completing program by distance education
Student may nominate themselves or be nominated by another student or faculty member
Jake Edelson Award in Community Organizing
Scholarship amount: 1 award up to $1000
This will be awarded to an undergraduate student in the School of Disability Studies who is committed to collective work through community organizing and who has demonstrated academic excellence. The recipient will have:
- Participated in a community campaign to remove barriers for people with disabilities.
- Demonstrated by example how collective action can build towards social justice.
- Engaged with creative initiatives and/or projects for social change.
Selection Criteria:
- Completion of DST 501 AND DST 613
- High academic performance.
- Ability to understand the importance of community building given the realities of social exclusion.
- Demonstrated participation in a community campaign for social justice.
- Financial need.
The following are to be provided by the student applying:
- 500-word statement highlighting community organizing experience.
- Reference letter of support or testimonial from the “field” .
Students may nominate themselves or be nominated by another student, faculty member or fellow activist.
Bill and Lucille Owen Award in Public Policy
Scholarship amount: 1 Award up to $2000
This Award recognizes Bill and Lucille Owen and their lifetime work to secure social justice through public policy. This will be awarded to a student in the Disability Studies Program who has achieved high academic standing and who shares their commitment to equity through social policy. The Award will enable a Disability Studies student to attend a conference and present a paper on a policy issue of major concern to people with disabilities.
Selection Criteria:
- Consistently high academic achievement.
- Written statement which indicates financial need.
- Priority will be given to a student with a disability recognizing the economic disadvantage students with disabilities experience as a result of social arrangements and structural barriers that fail to take account of disability.
- Resident in the Province of Ontario
The following are to be provided by the student applying:
- Resume.
- Submission of announcement of conference which the applicant wishes to attend and present a paper (Canada or US).
- 500-word abstract on a policy question related to disability that will form the basis of the applicant’s conference presentation.
Emma Hardie International Disability Award
Scholarship amount: 1 award up to $1000
This Award, established in 2009, honours the memory of Emma Hardie: budding intellectual, passionate disability advocate, gifted mentor, international traveler, activist for peace and committed volunteer. Emma graduated posthumously from the DST program in the spring of 2009, following her death in a tragic car accident in December 2008. The award recognizes an up-and-coming scholar and activist in the disability studies program who possesses the qualities and interests so associated with Emma herself. These include:
- Aspiration to academic excellence
- Curiosity about disability in a global context
- Personal commitment to social inclusion, human dignity and peace
- Mentoring/helping others to be the best they can be
- Demonstrating a commitment to those who are socially and economically disadvantaged through volunteering in the community
Criteria:
- Consistently high academic achievement.
- Written statement which indicates financial need.
- Evidence of commitment to the interests expressed above
- Intention to pursue travel and/or study with an international focus
The following are to be provided by the student applying:
- Resume
- Nomination letter (from nominee or nominator) illustrating how the student exemplifies intellectual promise
- Submission of 500 word essay demonstrating curiosity about disability in a global context
- Statement giving examples of mentorship and/or advocacy skills
- Statement describing volunteer interests and experience
Cindy and Jamie Thomson Disability History Memorial Award
Scholarship amount: 1 award up to $2000
This Bursary in the amount of $2000 will enable a Disability Studies student or graduate who contributed an installation to “Out from Under: Disability, History and Things to Remember” to accompany the exhibit to the 2010 Paralympic Games in Vancouver. The Exhibit has been invited to participate in the 2010 Cultural Olympiad – a “celebration of the contemporary imagination”- and opens in the heart of downtown Vancouver in UBC’s premier Robson Square on March 8, launching a national tour. The bursary recognizes the adventure of learning and discovery that culminated in the groundbreaking and award winning exhibit on disability history. It offers a once-in-a-life-time opportunity to a participating student/graduate.
Selection Process:
The selection will be made by the curatorial team.
Criteria:
- Student or graduate of the Disability Studies Program
- Contributor to the Out From Under Exhibit
- Available to travel to Vancouver for installation prior to March 8, 2010
- Willing to give media interviews
- Demonstrated contribution to the reputation of the School of Disability Studies
The following are to be provided by the student applying:
- Submission of a 500 word statement giving examples of their contribution to the reputation of the School of Disability Studies
Beth Foulkes Community Living Award
Scholarship amount: 1 award up to $1000
This award recognizes Beth Foulkes, both the challenges she has encountered and her passionate embrace of the everyday opportunities life has to offer. She demonstrates through her own participation what full inclusion means. Though her accomplishments are many, they have not come easily. Inclusion is still a work in progress.
The award will be given to a graduate of the Disability Studies program who is pursuing further studies and demonstrates a commitment to: engage in the longstanding struggle to promote true community inclusion through advocacy, community development, research, education and/or practice; extend the boundaries of what community living means; address the marginalization/devaluation/exclusion that still exists within our communities; and to challenge existing societal perceptions and responses to disability.
Criteria:
- Completion of their BA (Disability Studies) and in their graduating year.
- Academic excellence
- Acceptance in post degree studies
- Demonstrated commitment to social inclusion though scholarly and community work
- Financial Need
- Resident in the Province of Ontario
The following are to be provided by the student applying:
- Resume.
- Description of the program of study to be undertaken
- Evidence of acceptance into a program of further study.
- Submission of 500-word statement highlighting how the applicant has, to date, worked towards promoting community inclusion.
- Statement of how this will enhance the applicant’s ability to promote community inclusion. This should include a statement of the applicant’s long-term career goals.
- Reference letter of support or testimonial from the field.
Selection process:
The selection will be made by an Awards Committee including faculty and a representative from the School of Disability Studies Advisory Committee
Awards presentation:
The award will be presented at the Annual Awards Ceremony in July and the presentation will be made by a representative of the Foulkes family.