SIGACCESS Scholarship in Computers and Accessibility

The SIGACCESS Scholarship Award aims to provide support for participation in the ASSETS conference for individuals who would not otherwise be able to attend. Practitioners, researchers, members of advocacy groups, or individuals with disabilities are eligible to apply. Applicants must have a demonstrated interest in accessible computing. Awardees will have the opportunity to actively participate in the ASSETS conference and gain experience and knowledge from interacting with experts in the field. The scholarship award is in the amount of $2,000. SIGACCESS will award up to two scholarships per year, pending availability of funds.

Eligibility Criteria

• Practitioners, members of advocacy groups, and individuals with disabilities who apply must have demonstrated a commitment to or interest in the field of accessible computing. Researchers should have completed an academic degree and should be actively engaged in research and/or practice in the general domain of computers and accessibility;
• Applicants should use the vast majority of the scholarship to cover the costs of their participation to the ASSETS conference;
• Applicants should have a demonstrated financial need and a sincere interest in expanding their knowledge in the area of computers and accessibility.

Application Requirements

Candidates interested in applying for a SIGACCESS scholarship award are required to:

• Create an application portfolio, composed of:
  • A 2-page resume;
  • A 1-page essay discussing their background or interest in the area of computers, accessibility, and assistive technologies, and the benefits the applicant expects to gain from participating in the ASSETS conference.
  The portfolio should be prepared in electronic format (PDF).
• Commit to attend and actively participate in the ASSETS conference; in particular
  • The applicant should participate in the complete ASSETS event;
  • The applicant is expected to develop a poster, highlighting experience and interests in the areas of computers and accessibility; the poster will be presented during the ASSETS poster session. Applicants with accepted technical posters or papers in the ASSETS program will not need to develop a separate poster.
• Develop a 2-page report, to be submitted within 1 month from the end of the ASSETS conference, summarizing the benefits gained through participation in the ASSETS conference.

The deadline for application is May 31st; applicants will be notified of the decision by July 15th. Applications should be sent in electronic form to: chair_sigaccess@acm.org. You can also download an information sheet in PDF format.

Special Note: the 2010 SIGACCESS scholarship will be dedicated to the memory of Dr. Noëlle Carbonell, a leader in the field of accessibility and a strong advocate and supporter of SIGACCESS.