‘Access for All Abilities’ grants available

The Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities at Rhode Island College is accepting applications for grants of up to $2,500 to support social, recreational, leisure and cultural activities in Rhode Island that are accessible to people of all abilities.
The program, called the “Access for All Abilities” Mini-Grants, is open to for-profit and nonprofit applicants alike. Up to four grants will be awarded.
The purpose is to increase access for people with disabilities to existing activities in the community; support the development of model practices and programs that include people with disabilities; and help Rhode Island leisure organizations and businesses expand their customer base to include more people with disabilities.
Eligible projects may include the purchase or development of specialized equipment to enhance accessibility; sensitivity or specific skill training for employees; modifications to an existing program to accommodate people with disabilities, or seed money for a larger project or strategic planning, but “innovative” ideas beyond these are encouraged as well.
Grants will not be awarded, however, to any applicants developing programs for people with disabilities only, or to entities whose primary client base is already people with disabilities.
The grant recipients will be chosen by a panel of representatives from the Sherlock Center, Accessible Rhode Island and VSA Arts of Rhode Island.
Applications are available online at www.sherlockcenter.org. To apply, fax or mail the completed application by March 2 to (401) 456-8150 or AAA Mini-Grants, Paul V. Sherlock Center, Rhode Island College, 600 Mt. Pleasant Ave., Providence, RI 02908.
Grant decisions will be made by March 15. Projects must be completed within one year of the grant award, and a written report on the funds’ use will be required as well.
For more information or to request application materials in an alternate format, contact Mary Anne Pallack at (401) 456-8072 or mpallack@ric.edu.