QUALITY INDICATORS FOR ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY and THE QIAT COMPANION books are available from CAST Professional Publishing and online publishing houses.
The Joy Zabala Fellowship for Assistive Technology and Accessible Educational Materials Fellowship Applications 2023-2024
Joy Smiley Zabala (1946-2021) was an inspiring leader, a gifted communicator, a passionate advocate, and a beloved friend. The Joy Zabala Fellowship will support emerging, early career professionals who, in collaboration with a seasoned mentor, will a) strengthen their expertise and skills in services supporting assistive technology (AT) and/or accessible educational materials (AEM) and b) share what they learn with the larger community of stakeholders. The focus of this fellowship is to expand and guide the provision of services of AT and/or AEM.
Click here to view a video from the Zabala family.
There are two ways to apply:
- Apply together as mentorship partners (one mentor and one mentee).
- Apply as an individual either seeking to be a mentee or willing to provide
mentoring. These individual applications will be included in a mentee/mentor pool, and a match may be considered from this mentor pool.
The expected time commitment of the fellowship supported partnership is the academic year of 2023-2024.
The application deadline is March 15, 2023, 4 PM CT.
The inaugural Joy Zabala Fellowship pairs (2022-2023), selected from a field of more than 40 applicants, are:
- Matthew Newton (mentor), a Technology Coordinator, Teacher, and AT Specialist in Virginia, will work with Kristin Blain (mentee), a Special Education Curriculum and Access Consultant in Michigan.
- Elisa Wern (mentor), an Occupational Therapist and AT Professional in Florida, will work with Susan Key (mentee), a Special Education Specialist in an Educational Service Center in Texas.
- Stacy Springer (mentor), an Occupational Therapist and AT Professional in Ohio, will work with Bethany Britt (mentee), an IEP Compliance & Special Education Supervisor in Ohio.
Celebrate and ensure Joy’s legacy, please make your tax-deductible gift to the Joy Zabala Fellowship today!
All donations go directly to the Joy Zabala Fellowship to support the activities of the mentorship partners. CAST, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, serves as the fiduciary agent of the Fellowship. CAST and the QIAT Leadership team donate their time and administrative support to the Fellowship.
Mail donation checks payable to CAST, Inc. Please note Joy Zabala Fellowship on the check and mail to:
Joy Zabala Fellowship Fund, c/o CAST, Inc.178 Albion St., Suite 210 Wakefield, MA 01880
