David, the President of the European Guide Dog Federation, would use the Holman Prize to establish a guide dog school in Kenya, with the hope of eventually setting up similar programs in other African countries.
2018 Candidates
Manuel Aregullin
Manuel, an assistive technology instructor who has also studied music in Cuba for more than twenty years, would use the Holman Prize to teach Cuban music to large groups of students, as well as upgrading the assistive technology he uses in his lessons and purchasing more instruments.
Esther Brenowitz
Esther, a passionate advocate for DeafBlind children and toddlers, would use the Holman Prize to bring Pro-Tactile American Sign Language specialists to her community to teach participants about the advantages of tactile sign language.
Nancy Minger
Nancy, an artist and trained holistic healer, would use the Holman Prize to document and photograph a series of intricate, hundred year-old totem poles in Alaska and British Columbia.
Francis Okello Oloya
Francis, a psychologist, would use the Holman Prize to create a guide dog program for his blind and low-vision community.
Matt Formston
Matt, a longtime surfer, would use the Holman Prize to teach his blind and low-vision community how to become surfers themselves and to “share the feeling of freedom” that surfing can provide.
Andrew Hasley
Andrew, a biologist and geneticist, would use the Holman Prize to facilitate a conference for blind scientists and students from across the globe, called “Scienc’ing While Blind,” where participants could network and exchange tips and tools.
Markus Hawkins
Markus, a long time practitioner of the healing arts, would use the Holman Prize to travel to China to study the healing art of chilel, and then incorporate it into his practice upon returning home.
Peter Torpey
Peter, a co-host of the “Eyes on Success” podcast, would use the Holman Prize to travel to the CSUN assistive technology conference, in San Diego, to gather interview for multiple episodes of the podcast.
Maria Saavedra
Maria, a dance instructor originally from Colombia, would use the Holman Prize to launch a dance academy designed specifically for the visually-impaired community.