The American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) is proud to announce our 2026 recipients of the Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability. This year we have the honor of awarding $1,000 scholarships to four students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees that advance the field of disability and health. All of the students were outstanding in their dedication to advocating for better health systems and services, and for a commitment to the community engagement and research that can improve our knowledge as a field. Join us in congratulating our awardees:
Cole Clift (he/him) is a third-year Doctor of Audiology student at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He is currently applying for fourth-year externship placements in preparion for the final stage of his clinical training. Cole is focused on adult diagnostics, vestibular assessment, hearing technology, cochlear implants, and improving access to hearing healthcare. As someone who grew up with hearing loss and has worn hearing aids since childhood, his own experiences have played an important role in shaping his decision to pursue audiology and his desire to help others navigate hearing healthcare with confidence. He is also involved in audiology research and was selected for a Meritorious Poster Submission at the 2026 ASHA Convention this fall. After graduation, Cole hopes to remain in Arkansas and build a career serving adult and veteran populations while continuing to grow as a well-rounded clinical audiologist.
Hailey Lambert (she/her) is a Ph.D. student in psychology at UC Berkeley. Her research focuses on how children play an active role in their own linguistic and cognitive development. One project she is developing in collaboration with the National Federation of the Blind aims to provide empirical evidence that supports the usefulness of white cane instruction so that families of blind children may better procure the resources their children need. This research examines how blind children’s language development and particularly the size of their vocabulary may be positively impacted by the increased opportunities a white cane provides for them to explore their environment, independently travel, and interact with others. Hailey’s research interest in the intersection of language development and disability stems from her past research on the language of people with Down syndrome, autism, and Fragile X syndrome, and from her lived experience as a person born with a disabling vascular disease. With her Ph.D., Hailey hopes to continue working to empower other disabled people.
Zoe Rollins (she/her) is currently a senior at the University of Colorado Boulder studying Psychology. After sustaining a spinal cord injury at the age of 15, she developed a strong interest in understanding the psychological and emotional experiences that can come with life-altering injuries. Through her studies, she hopes to build the academic foundation and skills needed to pursue a career in rehabilitation psychology, specifically working with individuals with spinal cord injuries. Zoe plans to continue her education after graduation and use both her academic and lived experiences to support and advocate for others throughout their rehabilitation journey.
Aryanna Sanchez (she/her) is a third-year Exercise Physiology student at Marquette University with a passion for rehabilitation and helping others improve their quality of life. Through her education and experiences in rehabilitation settings, she has developed a strong interest in therapeutic rehab. After graduation, Aryanna plans to pursue a career in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, where she hopes to help patients improve their health, strength, and overall quality of life through exercise and rehabilitation.
Hundreds of outstanding applications were received and reviewed by a team of AAHD staff and Board members this year. We want to thank everyone who applied and encourage everyone to consider re-applying for the 2027 scholarship. The application window will be available starting in November 2026. Follow AAHD’s social media and general newsletter updates to get updates on upcoming opportunities.