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NEADS and BMO Capital Markets Equity through Education Campus Group Awards: A call for Proposals

OTTAWA, September 20, 2007 - The National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS) is now accepting proposals for the NEADS Equity through Education Campus Group Awards Program. NEADS will award one Equity Through Education Award to a post-secondary campus group of students with disabilities or access committee addressing disability issues at a Canadian University or College with an outstanding application, in order to support innovative programs/initiatives that are intended to improve campus life for students with disabilities. The amount of this award will be determined by a selection committee based on the features and merits of the winning proposal, but will be up to a maximum of $5,000.

As a national disability rights organization, NEADS is dedicated to providing support for community development initiatives on campuses across the country. This is the first award of its kind in Canada. NEADS will be providing assistance to campus groups and committees through the annual Award for Campus Groups and by doing so help to increase accessibility and inclusion for post secondary students with disabilities nation wide.

"Our mission is to advocate for the full inclusion of students with disabilities in the post-secondary system," said Mahadeo Sukhai, NEADS President. "Extra- and co-curricular activities are a major part of student learning and development on campus today. We are pleased and proud to be able to offer this Campus Groups Award program, and hope that it will serve as an incentive for disabled students' groups and access committees to think big, and think outside the box, in creating programs and activities with true, long-lasting impact for students with disabilities. We're looking forward to a great competition, with many outstanding and innovative applications."

The funding for these awards is provided by BMO Capital Markets Equity through Education Program, a charitable initiative aimed at creating a more diverse workplace by offering educational opportunities to people who are most in need of support. In May, 2006 NEADS became one of four Canadian recipients of donations from the second Equity Through Education trading day. At that time NEADS announced the Equity Through Education Award for Campus Groups.

For more information on the program please contact the NEADS office: National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS), Rm. 426 Unicentre, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, tel. (613) 526-8008, NEADS Equity Through Education Scholarships & Awards - Application Materials

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About Equity Through Education

The Equity Through Education charitable program was launched by BMO Capital Markets in 2005 to support the notion that gaining an education is a means of improving lives. Funds raised through Equity Through Education are donated to charitable organizations whose mission includes improving access to education and training for bright, deserving people who otherwise might not have the opportunity. To date, Equity Through Education has raised $3.2 million.

Contact: Julia Munk, Project Consultant, Equity Through Education: Phase II
julia.munk@neads.ca




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