Joy Smiley Zabala (1946-2021) was an inspiring leader, a gifted communicator, a passionate advocate, and a beloved friend. The Joy Zabala Fellowship will support emerging, early career professionals who, in collaboration with a seasoned mentor, will a) strengthen their expertise and skills in services supporting assistive technology (AT) and/or accessible educational materials (AEM) and b) share what they learn with the larger community of stakeholders. The focus of this fellowship is to expand and guide the provision of services of AT and/or AEM.
The JZ Fellowship was established in 2021 to actively honor the legacy of educator Joy Zabala, whose work helped to create solutions that expand opportunities for all learners, especially those with disabilities.The JZ Fellowship selects AT/AEM expert applicants to serve as mentors to emerging practitioner mentees. The selected pairs then jointly create a work plan that reflects the collaboration and investment in learning that epitomized Joy’s approach to education. The inaugural cohort of JZ Fellows leveraged these partnerships to inform work in their local areas, as well as the field, in general.
During the 2025-26 academic year, a new group of JZ Fellows will collaborate with mentors, connectors to the field, and previous fellows to develop, enhance, and disseminate AT and AEM-focused practices designed to widen educational opportunities for struggling students.
APPLICATIONS for 2026-2027 will open in the next January.
*2025-2026 Applications are in the review process
There are two ways to apply for the Joy Zabala Fellowship:
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Apply as mentorship partners, with one mentor and one mentee. Each applicant will need to complete the appropriate application.
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Apply as an individual, either seeking or willing to provide mentoring. These individual applications will be included in a mentee/mentor pool, and a match may be considered from this mentor pool.
The expected time commitment of the fellowship supported partnership is the duration of the academic year.
The application window for the 2025-2026 academic year is closed.
The Steering Committee of the Joy Zabala Fellowship in Assistive Technology (AT) and Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) would like you to share the final videos for the 2024-25 class of JZ Fellows. This was the third cohort of JZ Fellows. The fourth year is just getting started so stay tuned for more.
The 2024-2025 Joy Zabala Fellowship pairs:
Dr. Brian Wojcik & Judith Nomura, Amy Comford & Sayard Bass, Judie Schoonover & Amy Thompson, Lindsey Fountain & Stacy Alvare
The 2023-2024 Joy Zabala Fellowship pairs:
Marsters & Grant, Ashton & Hayden, Worketin & Stewart
The 2022-2023 Joy Zabala Fellowship pairs:
Matthew Newton & Kristing Blain, Elisa Wern & Susan Key, Stacy Springer & Bethany Britt
Introducing the Joy Zabala Steering Committee -Click this link to learn more about this committee
Celebrate and ensure Joy’s legacy, please make your tax-deductible gift to the Joy Zabala Fellowship today!
All donations go directly to the Joy Zabala Fellowship to support the activities of the mentorship partners. CAST, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, serves as the fiduciary agent of the Fellowship. CAST and the QIAT Leadership team donate their time and administrative support to the Fellowship.
Mail donation checks payable to CAST, Inc. Please note Joy Zabala Fellowship on the check & mail to:
Joy Zabala Fellowship Fund, c/o CAST, Inc.178 Albion St., Suite 210 Wakefield, MA 01880