2022 STUDENTS OF VISION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Demonstrate to us how you will advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in your coming role as an optical professional for a chance to win a $2,500, $1,500 or $500 scholarship! Brought to you by Transitions Optical and the Opticians Association of Canada, the Students of Vision Scholarship Program supports the next generation of opticians, optometrists and optometric assistants.
Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) in Canada are quickly becoming the majority—and, as a result, more eyecare professionals are experiencing a culturally diverse patient base with unique vision care and communication needs. At the same time, the global and national conversation around diversity, equity and inclusion is driving positive changes for populations who historically have not been treated equally, and who may also be impacted by lack of access to health care and other resources to improve their health and well-being.
Recent research from Transitions Optical, conducted by Wakefield Research, demonstrated the need for further education surrounding eye health for diverse patients. In fact, 81% of Canadian consumers surveyed do not agree that their ethnicity puts them at an increased risk for certain eye issues, while the opposite is true for several ethnicities. Most respondents also do not believe their eye health can be affected by extended exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation and found that nearly seven in 10 (67 percent) of Canadians have not had an eye exam within the past year.
To enter, develop a project which shows how you will advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in order to help educate your patients and protect their vision.
Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) in Canada are quickly becoming the majority—and, as a result, more eyecare professionals are experiencing a culturally diverse patient base with unique vision care and communication needs. At the same time, the global and national conversation around diversity, equity and inclusion is driving positive changes for populations who historically have not been treated equally, and who may also be impacted by lack of access to health care and other resources to improve their health and well-being.
Recent research from Transitions Optical, conducted by Wakefield Research, demonstrated the need for further education surrounding eye health for diverse patients. In fact, 81% of Canadian consumers surveyed do not agree that their ethnicity puts them at an increased risk for certain eye issues, while the opposite is true for several ethnicities. Most respondents also do not believe their eye health can be affected by extended exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation and found that nearly seven in 10 (67 percent) of Canadians have not had an eye exam within the past year.
To enter, develop a project which shows how you will advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in order to help educate your patients and protect their vision.
Projects must be submitted by: November 1, 2022
Winners announced: November 14, 2022
Winners announced: November 14, 2022
2021 STUDENTS OF VISION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Grand prize winner Rian shares the 20-20-20 rule to minimize eye strain from screen use.
For the 2021 scholarship program, entrants were tasked with describing how they plan to address and resolve patients' heightened concerns regarding increased exposure to harmful UVA, UVB, and blue light in their upcoming role as an optical professional. Submissions were reviewed by a panel of judges and evaluated based on their demonstration of creativity, strategic thinking and ethics. Through a creative video, Rian offered three simple yet effective ways to reduce eye strain and exposure to harmful UVA, UVB, and blue light such as taking 20 second screen breaks for every 20 minutes spent looking at a screen. Geneviève wrote an insightful essay that highlighted the need for protective lenses to prevent long-term damage due to overexposure to light in both older and younger patients. Lorena, through a fun and engaging video, emphasized the need for protective lenses to combat the increased screen time many people are experiencing due to the pandemic.