REAL Scholarships- FY 2026

REAL South is committed to supporting families and professionals with the resources, knowledge, and opportunities needed to advance early language development for deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Through targeted sponsorships and scholarships, we invest in high-impact conferences, trainings, and learning experiences that strengthen skills, build connections, and expand access to meaningful support.

For FY26, family and professional conference scholarships are available for the following approved events:

●     EHDI Conference (Florida)

●     Language First Conference (Tennessee)

●     Alabama Hands & Voices

●     Alabama Preschool Conference

We are committed to a family-centered, strengths-based approach that respects each family’s unique journey and communication choices. Scholarships are intended to support families and professionals in accessing opportunities that strengthen their confidence, knowledge, and ability to support deaf and hard of hearing children’s development. We also prioritize opportunities that include professionals who are new to the field, recognizing the importance of building strong, informed support systems for families.

 

Eligibility Criteria (All must be met)

●     Population Focus

Applicants must be:

          ○     A parent/caregiver of a child who is deaf or hard of hearing, ages birth to 3 years 11 months, OR

          ○     A professional who provides services to families with deaf and hard of hearing children in this age range

●     Geographic Eligibility

Directly benefit participants from the REAL South or West regions: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Puerto Rico, U.S.Virgin Islands, Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, Montana, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada,        Wyoming, Idaho, Marshall Islands, Guam, Hawaii, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, and Arizona.

●     Purpose Alignment

Attendance must support:

          ○     Early language and communication development, and/or

          ○     Strategies that promote language-rich interactions and informed decision-making

●     REAL Engagement Requirement (Families Only)

Families must be registered with their REAL regional center prior to the event

Priority will be given to applicants who demonstrate:

●     First-Time or Limited Access to Funding

          ○     Individuals who have not previously attended similar conferences or events

          ○     Individuals who have not previously received REAL scholarship funding

          ○     Professionals whose employers are unable to provide financial support

Allowable Expenses

Scholarship funds may cover:

●     Registration fees

●     Airfare

●     Lodging

Recipient Commitment

To support shared learning and continuous improvement, scholarship recipients will be asked to provide a brief reflection on their experience. This may include:

●     A short written or video response, OR

●     Participation in a brief follow-up conversation

Reflection may include:

●     One key takeaway

●     How the experience supported their family or professional practice

How to Apply

Join us in strengthening early language outcomes for deaf and hard of hearing children by submitting a request through the REAL Sponsorship/Scholarship Request Form.