Announcing the 2026 Winner of the DCCI Scholarship for Canadian Students with Disabilities

Disability Credit Canada understands that earning a post-secondary degree opens doors to countless opportunities. Yet, for many Canadians with disabilities, the path to higher education includes additional hurdles. To help remove these barriers, we remain committed to ensuring that students with disabilities have every opportunity to reach their academic goals. That’s why, in 2019, we introduced the Disability Credit Canada Scholarship for Canadian Students with Disabilities, an annual $1,000 award for a high school senior attending a recognized Canadian institution, helping ease the financial load that comes with pursuing higher education.
Beyond this scholarship, we offer resources that help families access the Disability Tax Credit and Child Disability Tax Credit, along with other practical tools designed to relieve financial pressure on students and their caregivers.

DCCI Scholarship for Canadian Students with Disabilities Recipient for 2026

Continuing our tradition of celebrating resilience and academic ambition, we are pleased to announce Danielle Dinyer as the recipient of the 2026 DCCI Scholarship for Canadian Students with Disabilities. Danielle will soon begin her studies in Child Studies at the University of Guelph, with the ultimate goal of becoming a child psychotherapist to support young people through their own mental health and health challenges.

DANIELLE DINYER,

A child studies student at the University of Guelph.

Danielle’s journey is a powerful testament to perseverance and adaptability. Diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) in 2024, just days before her 16th birthday, her life changed overnight. The sudden shift forced her to step away from activities she loved, including horseback riding, and learn to navigate daily pain, intense fatigue, and frequent medical appointments. Facing these physical obstacles while keeping up with school and managing the isolation that often comes with a hidden illness was a major test of strength.
Despite advice from those around her to take a year off, Danielle pushed forward so she could graduate alongside her peers. Driven by her own lived experience, she is turning her hardships into purpose. By pursuing a career in child psychotherapy, she aims to ensure that no child ever feels alone in what they are going through.
We spoke with Danielle to learn more about her journey, how she navigated the sudden challenges of living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, and her inspiring vision for the future.

Here is how she envisions it:

1) How did you hear about our scholarship?

One of my family friends reached out after seeing the website and scholarship and recommended that I apply.

2) Please tell us about your impairments and some of the challenges you face because of them.

I was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) in 2024, just four days before my 16th birthday. I struggled a lot with the fact that I had lived my whole life normally, and then, suddenly, everything changed. I couldn’t do things that other people my age could do. Even something as simple as sitting in a regular chair with my friends could be extremely difficult. One of the hardest parts was having to give up things I loved, including horseback riding, because of my disease.
It was difficult to accept that just a year before my diagnosis, I was living my life without having to think about what my body could or couldn’t do. After October 2024, I had to adjust to a completely different reality while watching the people around me keep doing the things I could no longer do. What made it even harder was feeling like nobody around me truly understood what I was going through. I often felt like I had to put on a fake face and pretend that everything was okay, even when I was struggling. Learning to live with JIA has been one of the hardest things I have ever experienced, but it has also changed the way I understand strength, perseverance, and what it means to keep moving forward when life doesn’t go the way you expected.

3) What will you study at school and what are your long-term career goals?

I’m going to the University of Guelph to study child studies. My ultimate goal is to be a child psychotherapist and help kids with their mental health to ensure that they never feel alone in what they’re going through.

4) How does having this impairment make pursuing a post-secondary education more challenging? Please tell us about the unique challenges you may be facing.

Getting diagnosed with arthritis during my teens was very difficult because, well, other people my age were working crazy hours. I was only able to work one or two shifts a week. I had to take lots and lots of time off throughout the year because of all my doctor’s appointments and the fatigue I experienced. It was a major setback because it was difficult for me to work and make money to pay for school. Missing all that time and not being my best self at school was very difficult because it was hard for me to excel the way that I used to when I was in my normal self. It was hard for me to focus in school because I was too focused on the pain I had to persevere through and try my hardest in school while everyone near me was telling me to take a year off. I decided to keep going so I could graduate with all of my friends

5) How does it feel to have been the recipient of this award?

I am eternally grateful to be a recipient of this award. I feel that, having a disability like this, I’ve missed out on a lot of opportunities, but receiving this award goes to show that there are people who understand and feel for what I am going through.

6) How will this scholarship help you, moving forward?

This scholarship will help me tremendously as I move forward into university. Starting university is a big change on its own, and after everything I have experienced with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, having financial support will take away some of the stress that comes with this next chapter of my life. Because my condition has limited how much I can work, paying for university and all of the expenses that come with it can be difficult.
This scholarship will allow me to focus more on my education and my future instead of constantly worrying about how I am going to afford everything. I am planning to attend the University of Guelph, and I hope to build a career where I can support children and young people who are going through difficult experiences of their own. Receiving this scholarship means more to me than just financial support. It reminds me that despite the challenges I have faced since my diagnosis, I can still work toward my goals and build the future I have always wanted. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and for the people who have chosen to support me.

7) Is there a message you’d like to convey to future applicants?

If I could give one message to future applicants, it would be to never think that your challenges define what you are capable of. Being diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis completely changed my life, and there were times when I felt like my future had changed too. I had to give up things I loved and learn how to live with challenges that I never expected to face at my age. It was easy to focus on everything I had lost, but over time I learned that I could still set goals, dream about my future, and find new ways to move forward.
I would also encourage anyone applying for a scholarship like this to be honest about their story and not be afraid to share what they have been through. You never know who might understand your experience or how sharing your story could inspire someone else. Most importantly, don’t give up on yourself. Your circumstances may change your path, but they don’t have to stop you from reaching the future you want.

Congratulations, Danielle!

At Disability Credit Canada, we are honored to celebrate Danielle’s remarkable strength, determination, and empathy qualities that will undoubtedly make her an exceptional advocate and child psychotherapist. Her story serves as an inspiring reminder that resilience can transform life’s unexpected challenges into a powerful purpose. We also extend our sincere gratitude to all the applicants who shared their personal journeys with us. To every student taking their next steps in education, we wish you continued courage, growth, and every success in the year ahead.