The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) has officially announced the recipients of the prestigious 2026 Tony Coelho Media Scholarship. This year, the program has awarded eight Tony Coelho Media Scholarships to talented undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities who are pursuing higher education degrees in the dynamic fields of communications, media, and the arts. The scholarship initiative is designed to foster both the academic and professional development of disabled students, paving the way for greater inclusion and representation in industries that have historically lacked diverse perspectives from the disability community.
Named in honor of former U.S. Congressman Tony Coelho—the primary author of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)—the scholarship program reflects his enduring legacy of championing civil rights and opportunities for individuals with disabilities. By targeting fields such as communications, media, and entertainment, the scholarship recognizes the profound influence these industries hold in shaping societal perceptions, cultural narratives, and public understanding of disability. The 2026 cohort features exceptional scholars and artists whose work spans sound art, music composition, performance, and disability-first cultural organizing. Among this year’s distinguished recipients are Stephanie Farmer, an incoming graduate student at Columbia University, and José André Montaño, an undergraduate junior at The Juilliard School.
Stephanie Farmer is a multidisciplinary artist, researcher, and dedicated organizer for the disability community whose academic and creative pursuits are deeply rooted in the practice and theory of Deaf Sound Art. A graduate of New York University, Farmer graduated with honors after receiving a full scholarship. During her undergraduate studies, she broadened her academic horizons by studying global media abroad in Ghana, Argentina, and France, while also completing a minor in creative writing. Continuing her educational journey this fall, Farmer will attend Columbia University as a Master of Fine Arts candidate concentrating specifically on Sound Art.
Beyond her academic achievements, Farmer is widely recognized as a creative accessibility organizer. She brings extensive professional experience in designing accommodations, workshops, and accessible environments for some of the nation’s most prominent cultural institutions, including Lincoln Center, the New York City Ballet, the Metropolitan Opera, and the New York Philharmonic. Her organizing footprint also extends to academic and alternative cultural spaces, having collaborated with NYU Tandon’s Ability Project, FACESTRAPPED—an accessible rave—and the Queer Nightlife Community Center, among others. Through her multidisciplinary practice, Farmer artistically blends the expansion of sound beyond traditional auditory boundaries with an ethos of empathy and collaboration, championing a disability-first approach to community organizing.
Joining Farmer in the 2026 cohort of scholars is José André Montaño, a phenomenal pianist, composer, arranger, and bandleader who began teaching himself piano at the age of four, quickly discovering a lifelong passion for jazz. Known for his expressive artistry, technical virtuosity, and distinctive compositional voice, Montaño has already performed at some of the world’s most prestigious venues, including the White House, Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, the Library of Congress, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Currently an undergraduate junior studying Jazz Piano at The Juilliard School, Montaño performs regularly with leading jazz ensembles while refining his craft under the mentorship of renowned pianists Cyrus Chestnut and Ted Rosenthal. In addition to his performance studies, he hones his expertise in jazz theory, composition, and arranging under the guidance of Michael Mossman.
Montaño’s impressive track record has earned him numerous accolades and honors throughout his burgeoning career. He has been recognized as one of the Kennedy Center’s NEXT 50 Leaders, received the 2019 VSA International Young Soloist Award, and achieved finalist honors in the prestigious Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition. His debut album, Jazz Journey, stands as a testament to his evolving artistic voice, skillfully blending jazz tradition with contemporary influences and deeply personal storytelling. Whether performing as a solo artist, leading a trio, or collaborating with larger ensembles, Montaño consistently strives to connect with audiences through music that celebrates creativity, resilience, and joy.
The AAPD’s Tony Coelho Media Scholarship continues to serve as a vital stepping stone for students like Farmer and Montaño, providing critical financial support and professional recognition as they navigate their respective academic programs. By investing in the education and leadership of undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities, the scholarship program helps dismantle systemic barriers in the media, communications, and entertainment landscapes, ensuring that the next generation of creatives, artists, and media professionals includes authentic voices from the disability community.
