Annual CSUN Center on Disabilities Conference Scholarships

Who is Funding This Scholarship?

An anonymous San Luis Obispo county resident has graciously provided funding for "A Day of Discovery" at the CSUN conference (www.csunconference.org). Funding is provided for two San Luis Obispo County Residents with a visual impairment and one individual who will be the sighted guide. The Central Coast Assistive Technology Center has been asked to assist in the implementation of this grant.

What is the Purpose of This Scholarship?

Individuals with vision impairments can apply to receive funding to attend the CSUN Center on Disabilities conference. The annual trip to California State University of Northridge's Technology Exhibit Halls (New location for 2010, San Diego) will fund two visually impaired individuals and a sighted guide beginning in March of 2010. The CSUN technological extravaganza is an immeasurable life enhancing experience. This Day of Discovery excursion offers many opportunities for growth through exposure to and acquisition of the latest in accessible technology to San Luis Obispo county residents.

What Expenses Are Covered Under the Scholarship?

 The grant will cover transportation to and from the conference in San Diego, accommodation for two nights at the conference hotel, a $100 stipend to cover food and extra expenses. The sighted guide will share a room with one of the recipients. In addition, the two individuals with vision impairments will receive a $500 award to use for the purchase of any assistive technology or related training/education. The funds must be allocated by the end of the year in which CSUN was attended.

NOTE: Grant recipients will be transported to and from the conference in an accessible van driven by CCATC staff. There will be a limited number of remaining seats available for others on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you will not be applying for this scholarship but are still interested in going to the conference, you can reserve a seat on the van but will be responsible for paying for your own lodging and other expenses.

Conference Benefits

• Firsthand exposure to, and hands-on exploration of, accessible technology

• Options specifically designed for persons with visual impairments.

• Increase independence with access to low and high technology tools.

• Empower and expand each individual’s personal comfort envelope with this vast experience.

• Contact with hundreds of other individuals living the visually impaired life is a valuable reminder that no one walks this path alone.

• Extinguish limited thinking, inspire hope, and fuel freedom.

• An exhilarating, exhausting, mind-blowing, and joyous event.

When is the 2010 CSUN Conference?

The CCATC staff is providing transportation to this event. The CCATC staff and awardees will be leaving San Luis Obispo on Wednesday March 24 at 8 am. The return trip will be leaving the conference on Friday March 26 at 1 pm. The exhibit hall opens from 4 pm to 7 pm on March 24 and from 9:30 am to 5 pm on March 25 and March 26.

The deadline for applications to be received in the CCATC offices is 12:00 noon on February 23, 2010. Please Mail, Fax or email (postmarks are not accepted) the application below. The awardees will be notified on March 1, 2009. The application is also online at www.ccatc.org under CSUN Scholarship.

Mail Application to: Central Coast Assistive Technology Center 3450 Broad St. #111 San Luis Obispo, Ca. 93401

Fax Application to: 805 549-7423

Email Application to: slomortola@aol.com * To email application, you can Select All (Control A), Copy (Control C), then Paste (Control V) the text into your email.

APPLICATION FOR CSUN CENTER ON DISABILITIES CONFERENCE  MARCH 24 – 26, 2010 Look for details coming in January 2011 about the 2011 CSUN Conference in San Diego!

* The sighted guide will share a room with one of the recipients.

** Sighted guides are a far more efficient way to navigate the maze of bodies, guide dogs, and multitudes of booths to get to the goods that are of specific interest.  Trips to CSUN's exhibit halls have been greatly enhanced with experienced sighted guides who have had some prior exposure to assistive technology.  Willingness of the guide to focus on and facilitate the person with the visual impairments agenda is the ultimate. This allows the person with the visual impairment to focus on technology selection rather than O&M navigational concerns.  Orientation & Mobility Specialists and technology and gadget lovers are ideal sighted guides for this occasion. 

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