TORONTO, ON, Sept. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- View this release online
Canadian Hearing Services announces the recipients of its 2026-2027 National Scholarship Program, awarding 28 scholarships to Deaf and hard of hearing students pursuing post-secondary education across Canada.
Launched in 2017, the National Scholarship Program, is the largest of its kind in Canada, exclusively supporting Deaf and hard of hearing students. Since its founding, the program has awarded 220 scholarships to students across the country, helping to break down financial barriers to post-secondary education.
“Congratulations to this year’s twenty-eight recipients for their exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and community involvement. We are confident in their future contributions and growth,” remarks Julia N. Dumanian, President & Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Hearing Services. “I want to thank our donors, corporate sponsors, and golfers at our President’s Scholarship Golf Tournament for their generosity, and to recognize Dr. Wolf Lebovic, whose support of the event has helped make this scholarship program possible. ”
Introducing the Dr. Wolf Lebovic Scholarship Award
This year, Canadian Hearing Services proudly introduces the Dr. Wolf Lebovic Scholarship, recognizing academic excellence and achievement among Deaf and hard of hearing students. This award honours Dr. Wolf Lebovic's longstanding generosity and support of Canadian Hearing Services' President’s Scholarship Golf Tournament since its inaugural event in 2016 and reflects our gratitude for a decade of steadfast commitment to student success.
2026 Inaugural Recipient: Ethan Lau, University of Toronto
The Honourable David C. Onley Scholarship Award
Named after the Honourable David C. Onley, a pioneer in advocating for accessibility and inclusivity and a former Canadian Hearing Services Board Member from 2017 until his passing in 2023, this scholarship honours his legacy by fostering empowerment and inspiration among the next generation of leaders within the Deaf and hard of hearing community. His decades of advocacy continue to shape a more accessible Canada, and this award ensures that legacy carries forward through the students who receive it.
2026 Recipient: Chinonso Ferdinand-Iwu, Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Congratulations to the 2026-2027 National Scholarship Award Recipients
2026 Recipients: Zubaida Al-khazaji, Trent University; Abigail Blakney, University of Prince Edward Island; Davyne Gibbard-Buehler, Huron University College; Lindsey Ley, Mount Saint Vincent University; Sophia Mincheva, University of Ottawa; Dillon Silver, Niagara College; Euan Sunley, Douglas College; Esther Wang, Loyalist College
Returning Recipients: Rylind Davis, Lakehead University; Lynden Doyle, Memorial University; Milo El Chaar, York University; Reeghan Funk, Northwestern Polytechnic; Brittany Gillies-Hamilton, Queen's University; O'Malley Holmes, Carleton University; Candide Kibonge, University of British Columbia; Maaviya Kureshi, Toronto Metropolitan University; Emily Lam-Luong, University of Toronto; Emi Morse, Saint Mary's University; Sofia Olaizola, Dalhousie University
Element Scholarships
This year marks the second year of Element’s commitment to sponsoring scholarships for Deaf and hard of hearing students. Four returning students continue their studies with Element’s support this year, joined by one new recipient welcomed into the program for 2026-2027. Element’s multi-year investment reflects a deep commitment to removing financial barriers and empowering Deaf and hard of hearing students to pursue their goals with confidence.
2026 Recipient: Saima Hoque, McMaster University
Returning Recipients: Muhammad Azaan Azher, McMaster University; Cristiano Batista, British Columbia Institute of Technology; Rebecca Leigh, Yorkville University; Billie-Jo Skevington, Loyalist College
To learn more about this year's recipients and the National Scholarship Program, visit chs.ca/2026-2027-scholarship-recipients.
Students interested in applying for next year's National Scholarship Program can learn more at https://www.chs.ca/scholarship-application. Scholarship applications open again in February 2027.
President's Scholarship Golf Tournament and General Donor Support
Canadian Hearing Services extends its sincere gratitude to every donor, golfer, corporate sponsor, and supporter who made this year's scholarships possible, including participants in the organization's annual President's Scholarship Golf Tournament. Their continued generosity has helped the National Scholarship Program grow to 220 scholarships since its founding in 2017.
2026 Golf Tournament Supporters:
Platinum Sponsors: Coco Group, Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel Ltd., Mathews Dinsdale & Clark LLP
Gold Sponsors: JRP Employee Benefit Solutions
Silver Sponsors: Baycor Construction Ltd., Bell Canada, Catapult ERP, Level5 Strategy
Bronze Sponsors: POI Business Interiors
Brass Sponsor: Hall Telecommunications Supply Ltd, Oticon Canada, Panasonic, Williams Sound
Copper Sponsors: Acro Commerce, Compu-SOLVE Technologies, Diatec Canada, Koolsphere Tech Solutionz Inc., Opus Technologies, The ABER Group, WSA Audiology
In-Kind Sponsors: National Post, Imaged Advertising Creations
Donors: Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons, Timothy Andradé, Alan Dessau, Julia N. Dumanian, M. Evangelista, Cristina German, Dawne Gordon, Janine Guinn, Peter Martin, Richard Mendonca, Leona Mickelson, Noor Ratansi, Courtney Tobin, Susan Sutton & Associates
Media Opportunities
Canadian Hearing Services welcomes the opportunity to work with local media to celebrate this year's scholarship recipients in their communities, including students attending institutions across the country.
A video compilation featuring recipients speaking to the impact of their scholarship is available for media use.
A spokesperson from Canadian Hearing Services may be available for interviews or to provide a quotation tailored to your outlet's coverage.
More information can be found here: chs.ca/2026-2027-scholarship-recipients
About Canadian Hearing Services
Canadian Hearing Services is a proud Canadian not-for-profit and the country's leading provider of programs, services, education, and products that enable the Deaf and hard of hearing community to overcome barriers to participation. Building on 86 years of experience, Canadian Hearing Services has earned Accreditation Canada's Exemplary Standing, the organization's highest level of accreditation.
Canadian Hearing Services is home to the National Scholarship Program, the largest scholarship program in Canada exclusively supporting Deaf and hard of hearing post-secondary students, and to Hearing Research International, an international research foundation dedicated to accelerating innovative research in Hearing Health and Deaf Studies.
Name: Rachel Winer Email: rwiner@chs.ca Job Title: Communications Manager
