About Juanita:
Regular attendees at ATI Conferences will remember a quiet woman with a discerning eye, a listening ear, and a sense of adventure. Juanita Curtis regularly accompanied her husband, Thomas Curtis, to the conferences. Those of us fortunate enough to spend time with Juanita eagerly awaited her arrival. Like a forward scout, Juanita explored each of the host cities, especially areas close by the Conference site, and returned to share the local treasures she found with us. We were then able to use our “free” time to see, hear, and learn about these “treasures” that there would have been no time to research and find ourselves. Juanita found them for us in what appeared to be an effortless manner. A musician, a teacher, a parent, a soul-mate to Thomas, Juanita became a special and cherished friend to many ATI members, sharing stories, experiences, and lessons learned from a life well and fully lived.
The Juanita Curtis Memorial Scholarship:
The Juanita Curtis Memorial Scholarship is offered as a tribute to a woman who personified the goals and mission of ATI: teaching excellence, respect and integrity, diversity and inclusion, and the right to independent living in the community and society for all people. The scholarship was established to recognize the achievements and aspirations of a person with a disability who lives in the host city region of the Conference. An eligible person is an individual with a disability who has successfully completed travel training or who is seeking to increase his/her independence and self-direction by using public transportation. The Juanita Curtis Memorial Scholarship covers registration and luncheon fees for the ATI Conference as a means to encourage more people with disabilities to engage with ATI.
One scholarship which provides registration to the ATI Conference will be awarded annually to an eligible receipient selected by the ATI Board of Directors.
Self-nominations are accepted.
Nomination Instructions:
Person nominating must:
1. Attach one letter that supports the nomination of the individual.
Nomination support letter must include:
- Date in which nominee completed travel training/travel instruction (if applicable).
- How attending the Association of Travel Instruction Conference will benefit the nominee.
- How public transportation has had a positive impact on the nominee's life.
Award: Cost of conference registration