For Immediate Release, September 10, 2026
Contact: Jess Davidson, jdavidson@aapd.com; 202-975-0960
WASHINGTON, DC – The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is proud to announce the eight recipients of its 2026 Tony Coelho Media Scholarship. The Tony Coelho Media Scholarship was named after Tony Coelho, a former United States Representative and the primary author and sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The scholarship is provided to undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities who are interested in future careers in the communications, media, or entertainment industries. The Tony Coelho Media Scholarship is made possible through generous support from NBCUniversal.
“For the mantra ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’ to mean anything, people with disabilities must be included in spaces where our stories are heard and shared. For 13 years, the Tony Coelho Media Scholarship has given students with disabilities the opportunity to advance their education toward a career in communications, media, or entertainment. I am very excited for this year’s winners and honored to have this award named after me,” said former United States Representative Tony Coelho.
Award recipients received $5,625 each to help cover the cost of education at their current college or university. Each recipient of the 2026 Tony Coelho Media Scholarship was chosen for their demonstrated knowledge and passion in the media industry.
“This year’s Tony Coelho Media Scholarship recipients demonstrate how media can be leveraged to improve disability representation. Through a variety of disciplines, including communications, film, and music, this year’s awardees are making a real impact in transforming narratives about disability and combating ableism in popular culture,” said Christine Liao, AAPD’s Vice President of Programs.
The recipients were selected not only based on their commitment and contributions to disability representation in the media, but also on their future aspirations to meaningfully include and engage the disability community in media and communications careers. During the 2026-2027 school year, AAPD will provide several opportunities to support the recipient’s academic growth and career development.
Please join us in congratulating the recipients of the 2026 Tony Coelho Media Scholarship! You can read the recipients’ full biographies and learn more about the Tony Coelho Media Scholarship on our website.
- Nasreen Alkhateeb (she/her), American Film Institute: Graduate Student, Cinematography
- Stephanie Farmer (she/her), Columbia University: Graduate Student, Sound Art
- Gabriel S Laveso (he/him), Indian River State College: Undergraduate Junior, Digital Media
- Dorothy Lolagne (she/her), Boston University: Graduate Student, Screenwriting
- Jose Andre Montano (he/him), The Juilliard School: Undergraduate Junior, Jazz Piano
- Héctor Manuel Ramírez (they/them/él), California State University, Northridge: Graduate Student, Communications
- Noah Gabriel Schmidt (he/him), Bridgewater State University: Undergraduate Senior, Communication and Media Studies
- Liam Whitworth (he/him), Oregon State University: Undergraduate Senior, Creative Writing