Sponsorship


The purpose of DbI is to bring together professionals, researchers, families, deafblind people and administrators to raise awareness of deafblindness.  Central to our work is to support the development of services to enable a good quality of life for children and adults of all ages who are deafblind.

One activity that assists in promoting the purpose of DbI is sponsorship at regional and world conferences and other DbI related events.  This is a place where individuals working with people who are deafblind can come together and freely exchange ideas.

DbI has a sponsorship process where it invites applications for financial sponsorship to attend a DbI event. Individuals applying for financial sponsorship must be able to demonstrate how their participation in a DbI event and the knowledge acquired at a conference will be related to the DbI Strategic Plan.

The goals of the Strategic Plan are:

  • Strive for an enhanced organizational capacity to meet the needs of people who are deafblind.
  • Influence the development of services for the benefit of people who are deafblind and their families around the world.
  • Strive to encourage improvements in practice and creation of new knowledge by facilitation improved communication and networking.

 

Applying for Financial Sponsorship

Many applications are received for Sponsorship so applying does not guarantee funding support.  If successful, it is unlikely for DbI to fund the entire sponsorship request and applicants are encouraged to find the remainder of the funds for their participation from other sources.

Should your application be successful, DbI will directly pay for event registration and accommodation during the days of the event. You will be responsible for your travel costs and personal expenses while attending the conference. If you extend your hotel stay before or after the conference you will be responsible for this additional payment.

Applications should be received by the Secretariat 6 months prior to a DbI event for consideration.

Applicants are required to complete the Application for Financial Sponsorship to Attend a DbI Event form.  The form can be found in the link above.  Information can also be found in the DbI Review or by contacting the Secretariat.

Please also refer to the DbI Strategic Plan to assist you in preparing your application.

The completed form is then sent to the DbI Secretariat.

The Secretariat sends the applications to the Chair of the Sponsorship Committee and recipients will be selected no later than five months prior to the DbI event.

This Committee then makes its decisions and a report about the process is provided to the DbI Board.  The names are not presented to the Board to respect confidentiality. Both successful and unsuccessful applicants are advised.

 

Successful Applicants

Successful applicants will be notified no later than four and a half months prior to the DbI event.

Applicants to accept or decline the sponsorship no later than four months prior to the DbI event.

The agreed amount of sponsorship funds will be transferred to the nominated account no later than 3 months prior to a DbI event.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to use the funds for the specified purpose and to manage the payment of expenses personally.

Funding can only be provided in Euros and not in any other currency.

 

After the Event

Successful applicants will be required to provide feedback after the event about the benefits of attending the event and how they have applied the information learnt when they returned home. The Secretariat will request this information within 3 months of the applicant attending the event.