The Office of Accessibility invites you to apply to the Michael James and Thomas Edward Flannery scholarships for the 2024-2025 school year. This scholarship was established in 2013 through a gift from the estate of the late Sally Flannery Orrok. It was Mrs. Orrok’s intention to establish this scholarship in her sons’ memory. Michael and Thomas both lived with muscular dystrophy. They both attended The University of Akron in the late 1970’s before passing away from complications related to their illness Mrs. Orrok was grateful to the faculty, staff, and students who assisted her sons during their time at The University of Akron. 

The scholarship will be awarded to two students who are registered with the Office of Accessibility. There are two scholarships available: one for $1,250 and one for $1,000. Half of each scholarship will be disbursed to the recipient in the Fall 2024 semester, and the other half will be dispersed during the Spring 2025 semester. 

To qualify for a scholarship, you must:

1. Have been actively using accommodations through the Office of Accessibility for more than 2 consecutive semesters.
2. Be registered for more than 6 credit hours for the Fall 2024 semester.
3. Be enrolled in an undergraduate degree.
4. Have a grade point average that is greater than 2.5.

You are also required to type an essay, including the following items:

• Describe your college experience as a student with a disability.
• Describe how the Office of Accessibility has impacted your experience at The University of Akron.
• Summarize school and community activities and services.
• Detail leadership skills.
• Discuss why you feel you would be an ideal candidate for the scholarship.

If you believe you qualify for the scholarship, and are interested in applying, please navigate to this link to fill out the scholarship application and submit the essay.

The scholarship application and essay must be submitted to the Office of Accessibility NO LATER than Monday, July 8th, 2024. The Office of Accessibility will contact the winning participants on or before July 29th, 2024. If you are chosen as the recipient of one of the Flannery Scholarships, you will be awarded the monies AFTER a thank you letter is written to the Department of Development to provide to the donor.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Shawn Bixler, Disability Specialist and Service Coordinator, at sbixler@uakron.edu, or by calling the Office of Accessibility at 330-972-7928.

The Office of Accessibility invites you to apply to the Charles J. Reymann Endowed fund for the 2024-2025 school year. This fund was established in 1979 in loving memory of Charles J. Reymann, a community and business leader in Akron, and a devoted family man.

This fund is dedicated to supporting students at the University of Akron who are pursuing degrees with assistance from the Office of Accessibility. Priority will be given to students encountering intellectual or mental challenges. Funds may be used for any purpose that will help students stay enrolled and persist to graduation, including tuition, assistive technology, or special accommodations. In the event no student is facing intellectual or mental challenges, support may be extended to help students with physical challenges. The director of the Office of Accessibility will select recipients and make the final determination of how funds will be used. Funds used for purposes other than qualified educational expenses are reportable and may be taxable to the recipient.

The scholarship will be awarded to two students who are registered with the Office of Accessibility and face challenges, particularly intellectual or mental challenges. There are two $1,000 scholarships available. Half of each scholarship will be disbursed to the recipient in the Fall 2024 semester, and the other half will be disbursed during the Spring 2025 semester.

To qualify for a scholarship, you must:

1. Have been actively using accommodations through the Office of Accessibility for more than 2 consecutive semesters.
2. Be registered for more than 6 credit hours for the Fall 2024 semester.
3. Be enrolled in an undergraduate degree.
4. Have a grade point average that is greater than 2.5.
5. Preference will be given to students with intellectual or mental challenges first, and then those with physical challenges if no applicants in the former categories apply.

You are also required to type an essay, including the following items:

• Describe your college experience as a student with a disability.
• Describe how the Office of Accessibility has impacted your experience at The University of Akron.
• Summarize school and community activities and services.
• Detail leadership skills.
• Discuss why you feel you would be an ideal candidate for the scholarship and how you intend to use the funds to support your academic career.

If you believe you qualify for the scholarship, and are interested in applying, please navigate to this link to fill out the scholarship application and submit the essay.

The scholarship application and essay must be submitted to the Office of Accessibility NO LATER than Monday, November 11th at 11:59 pm. Winners will be notified on or before Monday, November 25th, 2024. If you are chosen as the recipient of one of the Reyman scholarships, you will be awarded the monies AFTER a thank you letter is written to the Department of Development to provide to the donor.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Shawn Bixler, Disability Specialist and Service Coordinator, at sbixler@uakron.edu, or by calling the Office of Accessibility at 330-972-7928.