2026 ACB Scholarships in Partnership with AFB
CONTACT: Tony Stephens, Assistant Vice-President, Communications 212.502.7627 | tstephens@afb.org
(May 13, 2026) — The American Council of the Blind (ACB), in partnership with the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), awards educational scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $7,500 to students who are blind and pursuing post-secondary education. Eligible applicants include those attending technical programs as well as incoming freshmen, undergraduate, and graduate students.
These scholarships help offset the cost of tuition, fees, room and board, and assistive technology and other education-related expenses.
ACB and AFB are pleased to recognize the 2026 scholarship recipients:
Floyd Qualls Memorial (ACB) - Claire Schultz, Colorado
Floyd Qualls Memorial (ACB) - Madeline Major, Minnesota
Floyd Qualls Memorial (ACB) - Philip So, New Jersey
Floyd Qualls Memorial (ACB) - Jenna Sheetz, Virginia
Floyd Qualls Memorial (ACB) - Batya Sperling-Milner, New York
Kellie Cannon (ACB) - Ella Shrout, Oregon
Paul and Ellen Ruckes (AFB) - Ella Shrout, Oregon
Dr. Bradley Burson (ACB) - EmmaGrace Olech, Texas
Paul and Ellen Ruckes (AFB) - EmmaGrace Olech, Texas
John Hebner (ACB) - Lauren Mack, New York
Arnold Sadler (ACB) - Jessica Brownlee, Georgia
Rudolph Dillman (ACB) - Jessica Brownlee, Georgia
James R. Olsen Memorial (ACB) - Aidan Cahill, Connecticut
Blacksburg Breakfast Lions Club of Virginia (ACB) - Aidan Cahill, Connecticut
Eunice Fiorito (ACB) - Muhammad Sohaib, Texas
Charles Dillman (AFB) - Muhammad Sohaib, Texas
Rudolph Dillman/Charles Dillman (AFB) - Zachary McLean, Washington
Rudolph Dillman/Charles Dillman (AFB) - Suzette May, Texas
Norma Schecter (ACB) - Nicholas Frazier, Alabama
Duane Buckley (ACB) - Nicholas Frazier, Alabama
William H. Corey - Toban Harnish, Pennsylvania
ACB Oregon (ACB) - Naima Jaitla, Oregon
Ross N. Pangere Foundation (ACB) - Lauren(Ren) Lovegood, Massachusetts
Ross N. Pangere Foundation (ACB) - LaQuon Johnson, Virginia
Ross N. Pangere Foundation (ACB) - John Mobley IV, Michigan
R.I. Gillette, Gladys C. Anderson and Karen D. Carsel Memorial (AFB) - Sarah Owofade, Texas
Caesar Eghtesadi - Olivia Collazo, New York
Founded in 1921, the American Foundation for the Blind creates equal opportunities and expands possibilities for people who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision through advocacy, thought leadership, and strategic partnerships. In addition to publishing the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB), AFB is also the proud steward of the Helen Keller Archive, which is available on the AFB website at www.afb.org.