India worked with science and engineering students from the University of Michigan to develop software for the blind. With the Holman Prize, she would train blind people to work as consultants across the United States,to educate others about the blind and visually impaired community.
Megan taught English in Germany. With the Holman Prize, she would create workshops, online tutorials, mentoring and support to help people with disabilities find employment.
Chelsey is a blogger, YouTuber and aspiring dog trainer. With the Holman Prize, she would job shadow blind, visually impaired and sighted people across the United States and document it, to show that blind people are capable of doing a variety of jobs.
Derrick wants to lower the high unemployment rate for people with disabilities. With the Holman Prize, Derrick would start the Americans with Disabilities Employment Center, which would provide hands-on training to disabled individuals and then assist them with finding employment.
A passionate advocate for the rights, education and employment of blind people everywhere, Anil Lewis currently serves as the executive director of Blindness Initiatives for the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute in Baltimore, MD, where he leads a dynamic team of individuals responsible for the creation, development, implementation, and replication of innovative projects and programs throughout a nationwide network of affiliates that work to positively affect the education, employment, and quality of life of all blind people.
“Blindness is a paradigm shift.”