Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic®

The 2008 Mary P. Oenslager Scholastic Achievement Awards

For RFB&D® Members who are College Seniors and Blind or Visually Impaired

APPLICATION FORM

Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D), a nonprofit volunteer organization, is the nation’s educational library serving people who cannot effectively read standard print because of visual impairment, dyslexia or other physical disability. Our mission is to create opportunities for individual success by providing, and promoting the effective use of, accessible educational materials.

Each year the Mary P. Oenslager Scholastic Achievement Awards (SAAs) are presented to RFB&D members who are college seniors and blind or visually impaired, in recognition of extraordinary leadership, scholarship, enterprise and service to others. Offered since 1959, the awards are given to a total of nine students who are chosen by a selection committee. RFB&D presents three top winners $6,000 each; three special honors winners $3,000 each; and three honors winners $1,000 each.

The deadline for this year’s application is March 3, 2008.
The three top winners will be presented with their awards at an event to be announced.

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED TO APPLY

Candidates that meet all of the eligibility criteria must submit the following documents:

1. A fully completed and signed personal application [Open Form 1 (Personal Application)]

2. One Essay:

Provide us with an essay of 1,500 words or less that includes all of the following:

• Tell us about yourself and your life, including what you consider important about your background and your future personal and professional aspirations.
• How and when did you discover RFB&D?
• What difference has RFB&D made in your life and what role will it play in your future?
• What role could you play as an RFB&D spokesperson and advocate?



3. Honors, achievements and community activities:

   On a separate sheet of paper, list and describe the following:

   • Honors, awards and honorary society memberships.
   • Special achievements (scholarships and talents).
   • Extracurricular and community activities. Please provide timeframes and the extent and level of involvement.
   
   

4. Two letters of recommendation for this award from professors or college administrators who have known you personally and can evaluate classroom performance and extracurricular activities. Attached to each letter of recommendation must be a referral form [Open Form 2 (Professor/College Administrator Referral Form)] signed by the professor/college administrator. Letters must be on official school letterhead.

5. An official transcript of your college grades, covering three-and-a-half or four years (from all colleges you have attended).

MAILING INSTRUCTIONS

Only fully completed applications will be considered for the awards. Please DO NOT include further information (such as news clippings, photos or additional references) other than that which has been specifically asked for. Such information will not be considered and will not be returned.

Documents should be paper clipped (please do not staple) together in the following order:

•  A fully completed and signed personal application [Open Form 1 (Personal Application)]
•  Essay – with your name at the top of each page
•  List of honors, achievements and community activities
•  Two letters of recommendation on official school letterhead with two signed referral forms [Open Form 2 (Professor/College Administrator Referral Form)]
•  An official transcript

DEADLINE:
Mail your application to the address below postmarked no later than March 3, 2008:

2008 SAA Awards
Strategic Communications Department
Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic
20 Roszel Road
Princeton, NJ 08540

Any questions regarding the awards may be directed to RFB&D’s
Strategic Communications Department
 609-520-8044 or 866-732-3585 (toll free)
or e-mail jhaggith@rfbd.org

Open Form 1 (Personal Application)
Open Form 2 (Professor/College Administrator Referral Form)