T-Base Continues to Support Blind Students Achieve their Academic Goals

OTTAWA, Aug. 13, 2013 /CNW/ - In addition to sponsoring students participating in the Braille Challenge earlier this summer, T-Base Communications is pleased to announce that they have awarded a $2000 scholarship, in partnership with Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC) to Michael Staffen from Regina, Saskatchewan, who is continuing his education at Johnson Shoyama School of Public Policy. Mr. Staffen is pursuing a master's degree in public administration with the goal of working in information technology and accessibility as it relates to disability. Specifically, Staffen is taking a comparative policy class where he plans to focus his major policy paper on the disability laws between the state of California and the province of Saskatchewan.

The 2013 AEBC and T-Base Communications Scholarship Program helps to fund the educational pursuits of outstanding blind, deaf-blind or partially sighted students in Canada who are continuing their academic education at the post-secondary level. "We were fortunate to have received a very impressive roster of submissions, making the final selection a most difficult task," said, Anthony Tibbs, President of AEBC, who was a member of the selection committee along with Darlene Wournell, Valentina Gal, Sara Bennett and Nicole Wournell.  A total of $4,000 is made available each year. T-Base awards a $2000 scholarship and AEBC awards two Jennifer Laura Eve Wilson Memorial Scholarships, of $1,000 each.

"We are proud to support such bright, articulate and ambitious students each year, who have overcome barriers and have such an incredible future ahead of them, and Michael is no exception." says Jeff Potts, President and CEO of T-Base Communications. As a recipient of the scholarship, Michael will serve on the T-Base Consumer Advisory Committee, providing the community with a stronger voice in accessible education. He will share his experiences about life as a blind student, information that is vital to T-Base in the continued development of leading accessible education products and services for educational institutions across North America.

As part of the application process, Michael demonstrated in an essay some of the barriers he had to overcome when he returned to school. "These obstacles included inaccessible educational materials, having to acquire and learn to use relevant technology, discrimination, and self-doubt. I quickly realized that technology was both a great benefit to my access to education as well as a great barrier," Staffen adds, "For blind people, a combination of training on technology, policy, legislation and advocacy can, and do make a difference."

About T-Base Communications
T-Base Communications helps organizations communicate effectively with their blind, low vision and print disabled customers who cannot access information in conventional print or online formats, while at the same time ensuring full compliance with all applicable legislation. T-Base is the North American leader in the secure design, production and delivery of alternate format communications materials in braille, large print, audio as well as online with web accessibility and accessible PDF. http://www.tbase.com/

About The Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians
The Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians is a national charitable organization, founded in 1992, that is dedicated to promoting the increased inclusion of blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted Canadians in all aspects of social life, from employment to participation in elections. Our members, comprised of blind, deaf-blind, and partially sighted consumers and supporters from across the country, participate in working groups and committees, engage with local, city-based chapters, and engage in public awareness and education activities on a daily basis. www.blindcanadians.ca

SOURCE: T-Base Communications

T-Base Communications
Deanna White
Media Relations
[phone] Ext. 231
[email protected]

Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians
Anthony Tibbs
President
1-800-561-4774
[email protected]