January 9, 2025

Cynthia Carroll Inclusion Scholarship 

Chapters: Annapolis Valley, Bedford-Sackville, Cape Breton Region, Cumberland County, Halifax, Pictou County, South Shore, South West, Strait Area, Truro

Do you know a teaching assistant, educational program assistant or educational support worker who has made a positive impact fostering inclusive learning spaces? 

Nominations are now open for the Cynthia Carroll Inclusion Scholarship.  

This new initiative aims to honour the transformative contributions of educational program staff, teaching assistants and support workers who exemplify excellence in fostering inclusive learning environments for Autistic students. 

The award is named after Cynthia Carroll, the former Executive Director of Autism Nova Scotia and a lifelong advocate for equitable education. This scholarship celebrates individuals who embody her unwavering commitment to accessibility, inclusion and support across all areas of life.  

The winning recipient will be contacted in March and will receive a monetary award. The award will be presented publicly at the 2025 Summit in April.  

All nominations are due by February 14, 2025. Late applications will not be considered.  

Eligibility Criteria 

The Award is open to individuals who meet the following criteria. 

1. Role in Education or Support: 

• Must be a teaching assistant, educational program staff member, or support worker actively engaged in fostering inclusive learning environments.  

2. Commitment to Inclusion:  

• Demonstrates a strong commitment to promoting accessibility and inclusion within educational settings.  

3. Impact on Learners: 

• Has positively influenced the lives of learners by providing meaningful support, creating equitable opportunities, and empowering individuals of all abilities to thrive.  

4. Advocacy and Collaboration:  

• Actively advocates for inclusive practices and collaborates with educators, families and the wider community to support learners with diverse needs.  

5. Geographical Scope: 

• Must be based in Atlantic Canada and contribute to the region’s capacity for autism and disability-informed supports.  

6. Professional Experience:  

• Has a minimum of one year of experience in their role at the time of nomination.  

7. Alignment with Cynthia Carroll’s vision:  

• Embodies the values of leadership, innovation, and dedication to inclusion that Cynthia Carroll championed throughout her career.  

Note: Self-nominations and third-party nominations are accepted. Nominees must provide examples of their contributions and may be required to submit references or supporting documents.  

Award Conditions and Parameters 

1. Award Amount: 

• The total award amount is $1,500 to be used for professional development.

2. Nomination and Selection:  

• The award is open to nominations from individuals or organizations within the education and support sectors.  

• The selection committee will review nominations based on the impact the nominee has had on Autistic individuals, their commitment to inclusion, and alignment with the values of Cynthia Carroll  

3. Award Presentation:  

• The award will be presented annually during a designated ceremony or event, with the recipient being notified in advance.  

• If the recipient is unable to attend the ceremony, arrangements will be made for the presentation of the award.  

4. Public Acknowledgement: 

• By accepting the award, the recipient agrees to have their name, photo and achievements publicly acknowledged in connection with the award. This may include news releases, social media, website and other promotional materials.  

• Recipients may be invited to participate in an interview or provide a statement on their work with Autistic individuals for publicity purposes.  

5. Ineligibility:  

• Current members of the selection committee or immediate family members of the committee members are not eligible for the award.  

6. Review and Compliance:  

• The recipient agrees to comply with all conditions outlined above, and any misuse of the funds may result in the recipient being asked to repay the award.  

For any questions or additional information, please contact: CCIS@autismns.ca.