Ibrahim, a student and advocate for his blind and low-vision community, would use the Holman Prize to launch an internet radio training program for the visually impaired, with the hope of launching careers in audio production.
training
Dana Merzlyakova
Dana, a professional singer and teacher of visually-impaired children, would use the Holman Prize to open an inclusive vocal performance school for aspiring blind and low-vision singers.
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.
Dennis Billups
Dennis, a longtime Disability Rights activist, would use the Holman Prize to lead leadership trainings for people with disabilities across the United States and around the world.
Dario Sorgato
Dario, the founder of NoisyVision, an international association for people with sensory disabilities, would use the Holman Prize to travel from Milan, Italy to Mumbai, India, raising money to research Retinitis Pigmentosa along the way.
Red Szell, UK
Red, a writer and broadcaster, would use the Holman Prize to undertake an extreme sports triathlon to conquer Am Buachaille, one of the most remote rock pinnacles in the UK.
Red is a 2018 Prizewinner! Read his story on the LightHouse blog.
Jeri Cooper
Jeri, a rehabilitation counselor, would use the Holman Prize to open a training facility for DeafBlind participants called Jeri’s House, providing skills like Braille, sign language, fitness and more.
Johnny Tai
Johnny, a Martial Arts trainer, would use the Holman Prize to provide martial arts courses for the blind and visually-impaired community in his native Taiwan.
Alieu Jaiteh
Alieu, the founder of the blindness advocacy organization Start Now, would use the Holman Prize to provide various skills, including computer literacy, cane travel and Braille, to blind and low-vision participants in rural Gambia.