Testimonials from Scholarship Recipients

This year, CNIB received many remarkable scholarship applications from across the country and awarded $220,900 in funding to 56 Canadians who are blind, Deafblind or have low vision in recognition of their educational and professional aspirations and achievements.

Congratulations to the 2025/2026 scholarship recipients – your achievements, resilience, and passion continue to move our community forward. And thank you to our generous donors and partners who make this scholarship program possible. Their financial support will continue to help fuel the ambitions of students as they pursue their educational journeys. With your support, we are building brighter futures and championing the next generation of leaders.

Barney Danson Scholarship 

Created in honour of Barney Danson, a veteran, MP, cabinet minister, consul general, businessperson and philanthropist, this scholarship honours students who have proven their dedication to success through academic, personal and charitable endeavours in spite of sight loss.

Recipient: Margot Wehrle, BC/Yukon

Ben McConnell Scholarship 

Established in memory of Ben McConnell, the scholarship is given to a student with sight loss from Alberta registered or accepted into any year of post-secondary program.

Recipient: Laura Rushforth, Alberta/NWT

CNIB Post-Secondary Scholarship Recipients

Awarded to students who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision who have demonstrated amazing courage, determination and passion in pursuing their future goals.

Recipients:
Aidan Matyasovsz, Ontario
Aiden Lapp, Alberta/NWT
Alexander Morris, Ontario
Amna Khan, Ontario
Ashlyn Renneberg, Saskatchewan
Bilal Isaak, Alberta/NWT
Clara Moreau, Quebec
Gabriella Mercer, Newfoundland and Labrador
Griffin Hiltz, Nova Scotia
Isabella Amon, Alberta/NWT
James Jhonson, Ontario
Jugaadsawanr Singh, BC/Yukon
Karis Oscienny, Saskatchewan
Keerthana Kelly, Ontario
Kessler Hallschmid, BC/Yukon
Margot Wehrle, BC/Yukon
Noah Paquette, Ontario
Samira Assef, Alberta/NWT
Shreya Ghai, Ontario
Taylor Gaudon, Ontario

CNIB Master's Scholarship Recipients

Awarded to students who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision who are pursing post-graduate studies. 

Recipients:
Kavisha Barron, Ontario
Mouna Yassine, Ontario

Dr. John and Olive Pyper Scholarship

Established by the family of Dr. John Pyper, a Stratford, Ont., ophthalmologist who extracted the first two human eyes donated to the Eye Bank of Canada in 1955. The scholarship is given to a student who is blind, Deafblind or has low vision and resides in Southwestern Ontario (Perth, Wellington, Oxford, Middlesex and Huron counties).

Recipient: Kavisha Barron, Ontario

FJL Woodcock SAPA Scholarships 

Established in 1989 in honour of Capt. Fred Woodcock, a WWII veteran blinded in service. Families of veterans blinded in WWI, WWII, and the Korean War contributed to this fund to support the educational aspirations of students with sight loss.

Recipients:
Jessie Ross, Ontario
Jugaadsawanr Singh, BC/Yukon
Kevin Beaulieu, Quebec
Margot Wehrle, BC/Yukon

The Joyce Family Foundation Bursary

The Joyce Family Foundation is committed to supporting the well-being and future success of children and youth. This bursary supports students with financial need who have demonstrated resilience in overcoming adversity. Recipients are required to work with a mentor throughout their undergraduate studies.

Recipients:
Christel Oguchi, Alberta/NWT
Gabriella Mercer, Newfoundland and Labrador
Georgia Hilbert, Ontario
Griffin Hiltz, Nova Scotia
Jugaadsawanr Singh, BC/Yukon
Quinton Dalcourt, New Brunswick
Rane Bacchus, Ontario
Spencer Owen, Ontario

KPMG Scholarship

Established in 2022, the KPMG scholarship was created to help alleviate financial barriers, promote access and inclusivity, and ensure an equitable playing field to education for people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision. KPMG recognizes that workforce inclusion and diversity strengthens business, enriches our culture and enables us to deepen relationships with our colleagues and communities.

Recipients:
Aidan Gibbons, BC/Yukon
Cara Mia D'Cunha, Ontario
Jonathon Gallant, PEI
Nico Bauer, BC/Yukon
Noah Paquette, Ontario
Oliver Gonneau, Ontario
Shreya Ghai, Ontario
Vanessa Young, Ontario
 

Dr. Phiroz N. Dastoor Memorial Scholarship

Established in 2022 by the family of Dr. Phiroz N. Dastoor to honour his passion for education and service. Awarded to a Canadian university student with sight loss who demonstrates financial need.

Recipient: Cara Mia D'Cunha, Ontario

The Sappani Foundation Ela Award 

The Sappani Foundation works to inspire, educate, and empower marginalized communities. The Ela Award supports post-secondary education for students with sight loss, prioritizing girls and students from BIPOC  (Black, Indigenous, Person of Colour) communities.

Recipient: Keerthana Kelly, Ontario

Terry Collins Memorial Scholarship Award

Established in 2023 in memory of Terry Collins, who lost his sight at 17 and went on to become Canada’s first non-sighted hospital darkroom technician. A talented musician and beloved community member, Terry is honoured through this award supporting students with sight loss pursuing studies in music or health care.

Recipient: Alisha Rampersad-Maharaj, BC/Yukon