Farnell Award will help Nova Scotians with autism access post-secondary education

With the International Day of Persons with Disabilities taking place on Thursday, Dec. 3, a new award to support students on the autism spectrum has been announced.

The Amy Farnell Education Award is eligible to Nova Scotian students who identify as being on the autism spectrum and have been accepted into a full-time post-secondary program.

A partnership between Autism Nova Scotia and the Craig Foundation, the award is named after a long-time supporter of both organizations, Amy Farnell, and will be based on an annual $25,000 contribution from the Craig Foundation. Each individual award presented by the program will be valued at up to $3,000 per year.

“Amy always gave of herself for the benefit of others around her: helping, encouraging, and supporting so many during her lifetime. For me and my son, Robert, Amy’s friendship was a particular inspiration, especially in the early days when support for parents with children on the spectrum was not readily available,” said foundation founder Joan Craig in the announcement of the award.

“It brings me joy to remember my friend through this award, which so beautifully reflects her spirit while supporting the personal goals of adults with autism. It is exciting to think of the doors that will open for others in Amy’s name.”

In 2001, the Craig Foundation donated $1 million to establish an autism research chair at Dalhousie University, while the private foundation established by Jack and Joan Craig has also supported the Autism Research Centre at Halifax’s IWK Health Centre.

Autism Nova Scotia reports that in 2011, 16 per cent of residents between 17 to 29 years old had a registered disability, compared with nine per cent of university students and 12 per cent of Nova Scotia Community College students. The Amy Farnell Education Award was created to address the gap and help give people with autism greater access to post-secondary education.

“Supporting the next stage of a student’s educational journey is critically important to us,” said Cynthia Carroll, executive director of Autism Nova Scotia.

“Autism Nova Scotia was the beneficiary of Amy Farnell’s long-term support, and we are delighted to partner with the Craig Foundation to promote and champion this much-needed award for the benefit of generations of students to come.”

Applications for the award can be found on Autism Nova Scotia’s website at www. autismnovascotia.ca/amyfarnell-education-award.