Doug, a poet and author, would use the Holman Prize to lead a small group of DeafBlind participants to Mexico City, where they would savor the city’s exuberant culture and history.
2018 Candidates
Luanne Burke
Luanne, a seasoned long-distance runner, would use the Holman Prize to educate rural visually-impaired communities around the world – including countries like Scotland, China and New Zealand – about the joys, and logistics, of guided running.
Justin Holland
Justin, a bodybuilder and video blogger, would use the Holman Prize to travel the world and engage with blind and low-vision communities, encouraging them to get involved in adventures and athletic activities.
Joy Gouge
Joy, who hosts her own cooking show, would use the Holman Prize to produce a documentary film about blind and visually-impaired people 40 years or older, demonstrating the ways in which they live life to the fullest.
Marco Salsiccia
Marco, an accessibility specialist and self-proclaimed “hockey nut,” would use the Holman Prize to travel for a full year with the San Jose Sharks hockey team, attending at least one game at each arena, in order to assess the accessibility of each rink and promote hockey to blind and visually-impaired athletes.
Charles King
Charles, an avid powerlifter, would use the Holman Prize to coach older visually-impaired athletes, and to participate in various competitions.
Poonam Vaidya
Poonam, a seasoned traveler, would use the Holman Prize to travel the world, including stops in Scandinavia, Germany and Hawai’i, USA, and learn about the cultures she encounters along the way.
Maxwell Ivey
Maxwell, a motivational speaker and writer, would use the Holman Prize to travel the world – including stops in China, Mexico and Australia – and conduct motivational workshops, savoring local attractions along the way.
Nicolas Dewalque
Nicolas, a triathlete, would use the Holman Prize to try new adventures around the world, including the Sand Marathon in Peru, an expedition to the North Pole, learning how to surf and more.
Seok Tin Chng
Seok Tin, an award-winning visual artist, writer and teacher, would use the Holman Prize to create a gallery for artists with disabilities.