Awards and Opportunities

2020 Scholarship Application

SUBMIT AN APPLICATION HERE!

The American Council of the Blind of New York, Inc. (ACBNY) is proud to award a one thousand-dollar ($1000) scholarship to a deserving student.

The winner will be expected to attend the annual ACBNY State Convention in Buffalo (Cheektowaga), NY the weekend of October 15-18, 2020. The convention will be held virtually on the Zoom platform this year due to the COVID-19 issues regarding large groups and gatherings.

The Paul J. Sauerland Braille Literacy Award:

The Paul J. Sauerland Braille Literacy Award was established by ACBNY at its 2008 annual convention to honor the memory of our long-time member, Paul J. Sauerland, who was a lifelong champion of myriad causes promoting the health, welfare, education, vocational training, employment and rights of people who are blind or visually impaired throughout New York State and the United States. Paul was an avid and highly skilled braille reader who used braille in all aspects of his daily personal and professional life.

Nominees and recipients of this prestigious award do not need to be ACBNY members, but they must have standing to make the nomination or qualify to receive the award. Please click here for more information about the Paul J. Sauerland Braille Literacy Award.

Please e-mail questions about the Paul J. Sauerland Braille Literacy Award.

The M. J. Schmitt First Timers Award:

The M.J. Schmitt First Timers Award was established in March of 2008 by the American Council of the Blind of New York in honor of one of the founding members of the American Council of the Blind. M.J. Schmitt originally, from Rochester, New York, has dedicated her life to education, advocacy and the civil and equal rights of all people who are blind and visually impaired across America.

This award was created to recognize the lifetime commitment, grass roots advocacy, leadership and inspiration which M.J. has brought to her peers in ACB. It is the intent of this award to bring more members from across New York to ACBNY’s statewide events and to give inspiration and experience to tomorrow’s ACBNY leaders.

Applicants for the M.J. Schmitt Award must be ACBNY members in good standing for at least six months and must not have previously attended the ACBNY event for which they are seeking the award. Please click here for more information about the M.J. Schmitt First-Timer’s Award.

Please e-mail questions about the M. J. Schmitt First timers Award.