RICK HANSEN FOUNDATION
Introducing the Rick and Amanda Hansen Scholarship for Youth with Disabilities

The Rick Hansen Foundation (RHF) is excited to announce the opportunity for youth with disabilities to apply for financial assistance for a post-secondary education program of their choice. The new Rick and Amanda Hansen Scholarship for Youth with Disabilities, funded generously by the April 1 Foundation, supports youth with disabilities to achieve their career aspirations by removing financial barriers to pursuing post-secondary education.

"RHF Founder Rick Hansen, and RHF Board Director Amanda Hansen have always believed in the power of youth to change the world," said Doramy Ehling, CEO Rick Hansen Foundation. "The new Rick and Amanda Hansen Scholarship for Youth with Disabilities will empower students to achieve their goals and realize their full potential for many years to come."

Funding of up to $10,000 per year (up to a maximum of $40,000) is available to youth with disabilities who are under the age of 30 years as of the application deadline, looking to complete a 1- to 4-years post-secondary program at a publicly funded institution in Canada. Applications will be accepted until May 31, 2024, and recipients will be announced in August for the 2024-2025 cohort.

"Twenty per cent of youth in Canada are living with a disability and people with disabilities are less likely to report completing higher levels of education compared to those living without," added Ehling. "Rick and Amanda Hansen believe that people of all abilities should have the right to a barrier-free education. This is an excellent opportunity for youth who align with their values of perseverance, inclusivity, and being a difference maker."

For more information including eligibility and evaluation criteria visit www.RickHansen.com/Scholarship.

About Youth with Disabilities in Canada:

In 2022, 20% of youth had a disability, an increase of 7 percentage points over 2017, when the disability rate was 13%. Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Disability, December 2023.

People living with disabilities are less likely to report completing higher levels of education compared to those living disability free. One-in-four (24%) say they graduated university, compared to 32% of those without disabilities. Angus Reid, Canadians concerned about disability poverty, on-board with proposed new national benefit, 2021.