The John Weir Academic Scholarship
Disability Network Washtenaw Livingston Monroe invites all high school seniors with disabilities to apply for the John Weir Academic Scholarship, named in honor of one of the CIL founders.
The application season for 2023 is now open. Applications are due Thursday, August 31st.
Eligible students for the John Weir Scholarship must:
- Have a significant disability of any kind – for example, physical, visual, developmental, cognitive, hearing, learning, emotional, or other;
- Live in Washtenaw, Livingston, or Monroe County, Michigan; and
- Plan to attend or in the first two years of a 2- or 4-year college, university or a trade school program
Application Instructions:
- Complete the Application Form, including essays. Each essay must be in paragraph format with a word count of 300 words or less. Essays are described fully on the application form but must describe a community involvement or volunteer experience in the past year.
Complete the online application by clicking here: Microsoft Forms
- Obtain one letter of recommendation from a significant person in your life who is not a family member (teacher, counselor, boss, mentor, etc.).
- Submit via email or mail.
Email:
Anna Dusbiber, LMSW
anna@dnwml.org
Mail:
Disability Network Washtenaw Monroe Livingston
John Weir Scholarship
Attn: Anna Dusbiber, LMSW
3941 Research Park Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
If you need an alternate application format or another disability accommodation, please contact anna@dnwml.org
Submit all application materials by Thursday, August 31st. (Materials must be post-marked no later than August 31st to be considered.)
Selection Process:
The John Weir Selection Committee reviews each application received. Candidates must also describe a community involvement or volunteer experience they had in the past two years in their essay to be considered eligible. Scholarships will be awarded in fall of 2023.
Honoring John Weir:
“When my brother, John Weir, acquired his spinal cord injury (SCI) in 1964, the atmosphere was different for people with disabilities than it is today. The medical field kept people with SCIs alive, but society offered little in terms of satisfying futures. John was a pioneer in many ways. His ability to inspire practical help instead of pity was one of his gifts. While in the hospital after his surgery, he graduated from Ann Arbor’s Pioneer High School. Later, he became the first person with a severe disability to go to Eastern Michigan University. In 1976, he helped found the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living. At the time, CILs were a new idea designed to provide resources and assist in ways that facilitated a more active life. John remained an active pioneer until his death in 1985.” ~ Lou Weir