APH Scholar Program

by Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
​Updated June 20, 2025
Since 2003, the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) has annually invited each of the approximately 155 Ex Officio Trustees (EOTs) across the United States to nominate one professional who has provided outstanding service in the field of visual impairments. Selected nominees receive a scholarship to attend APH’s Annual Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, held each October.
This scholarship is intended for first-time attendees and covers all travel expenses, including:
  • Transportation to and from Louisville
  • Hotel accommodations
  • Conference registration

​Nomination Requirements

Each nominee must submit a formal letter of intent that includes:
  • A description of how attending the APH Annual Meeting will benefit their professional growth.
  • A list of APH products they use in their current role and how they are used.
  • Examples of innovative or “outside the box” uses of APH products.
  • Strategies for promoting the use of APH products among students and colleagues.
  • A plan for how they will share information and insights gained from the meeting with peers and their professional community.

​Selection Process

Members of the APH Educational Services Advisory Committee (ESAC) review and score nominations based on the criteria listed above. Each year, five professionals are selected to receive the APH Scholar designation and attend the Annual Meeting. Many past Scholars have gone on to serve as ex officio trustees, receive national awards, and become recognized leaders in the field.

​Expanded Opportunities for APH Scholars

Beginning in 2016, APH introduced an opportunity for two Scholars from the previous year to return and participate in the Spring ESAC meetings. These returning Scholars are expected to:
  • Attend all committee meetings and presentations
  • Engage in dialogue with APH staff
  • Contribute to the committee's written commendations and recommendations
  • Submit a reflective report summarizing key takeaways and experiences
Each returning Scholar is assigned to one of the two ESAC subcommittees for the duration of the meeting. In addition, previous APH Scholars may be invited to participate as peer reviewers for APH Hive courses, contributing to the development and improvement of professional learning materials and resources.

My APH Experience

In 2018, I was honored to be nominated by Carson Cochran, Ex Officio Trustee and Program Manager of the Georgia Instructional Materials Center. I was selected as one of five APH Scholars that year. My fellow 2018 Scholars included Yvonne Franz, Krystal Guillory, Donna Hultman, and Eric Shaw. The experience was both professionally enriching and personally rewarding, and I continue to value the connections and insights gained through the program.
If you know a deserving professional, consider nominating them for this prestigious recognition by contacting your state’s Ex Officio Trustee. The APH Scholar Program is a powerful way to invest in leadership and innovation within the field of visual impairments.

Subscribe today!

Subscribe today to unlock premium resources & printables. Choose the subscription level that best fits your needs and get immediate access to additional printable resources, ECC tools, and more. Subscription plans are individual and non-transferable. Your membership helps sustain and grow this resource for the vision community. ​​Thank you for your support!

Article Pages

VI Basics
History of VI ​Vision Professionals​ ​Professional Publications ​​Program Tools & Templates ​Policy & Advocacy ​​Professional Support AT Resources​
Service Planning
VI Referrals​ ​Medical Vision Exam ​Visual DiagnosisFVLMALow Vision EvaluationsOther Evaluations​Service PlansGoals & Objectives
Consultation
​Unique Visual Needs
​Collaboration​​Instructional Adaptations​Environmental Adaptations​​Material Adaptations​Access ClassesFamily Resources
Teaching Strategies
Compensatory Skills
Concept Development​Alternative Communication​Emergent Literacy​Beginning Braille​​Braille Code​Braille Fluency & Comprehension​Braillewriter​​​​​Slate & Stylus Basics *S
​​​Nemeth Code Instruction *S
​​​Tactile Graphics​Print Concepts​​Abacus ​​Organize​​​Study Skills​​Time Management
Sensory Efficiency
​Auditory Efficiency​​​​​Listening Skills​​Visual Efficiency Skills​​Optical Device Use​Tactile Readiness
Assistive Technology
AT Assessment ​AT Instruction​
AT Basic Use ​​AT Problem Solving ​Braille Notetaker ​iOS/Tablet Instruction Audio Skills ​Video Magnifiers ​​Basic Computer Use Access Productivity
Social Skills
​Non-Verbal Skills​​​​​CommunicateCooperativeIdentity & Self-Awareness​Interactions & RelationshipsManaging Challenges & Safety
Self-Determination
Independent Living Skills
Personal Care ​Hygiene  ​Personal Health Mealtime Skills ​​​ Food Preparation​Household SkillsClothing Management​Money & BudgetShopping & ConsumerismPhone Use​Safety & Emergency Preparedness​​Services & Community Resources
Orientation & Mobility
Recreation & Leisure Skills
Career & Vocational
Interactive Activities
Recorded Presentations
Lesson Planning 
Thematic Units
Beginning of the Year Units ​​Fall Units​​Winter Units​​Spring UnitsHoliday Units
Printable Resources
**Additionally, each Teach Subscription page and each Thematic Unit contains additional unique printables!
*M = free member pages
*S = Basic subscription pages
*CS = Complete set bonus
*A = All Access subscription pages