The grant program's purpose is to increase access for people with disabilities to social, leisure, recreational and cultural activities offered to the public by Rhode Island businesses and organizations. Non-profit organizations, businesses, and city and town government agencies are encouraged to apply. The Sherlock Center typically awards four grants per cycle for up to $2500 each.
Eligibility
Businesses and organizations that engage the public in social, leisure, recreational, and/or cultural activities are eligible to apply. Eligible entities include non-profit organizations, for-profit businesses, and city or town government agencies in Rhode Island or primarily serving Rhode Island communities. Applicants must demonstrate in their proposals sufficient resources to complete the proposed project within one year from receipt of the grant award.
Note: Entities whose primary missions or client base is disability focused are not eligible for an Access for All Abilities grant. Such entities, however, are encouraged to support eligible businesses and organizations to develop a proposal that meets the established criteria.
Review Criteria
A panel of representatives from the Sherlock Center, including individuals with disabilities, will evaluate applications according to the following criteria:
The business or organization provides social, leisure, recreational, and/or cultural activities to the public.
The proposal demonstrates sufficient resources to implement the proposed project within one year from receipt of the grant award.
Degree to which proposal will result in increased participation of people with disabilities in typical leisure, recreational and/or cultural activities alongside the public.
Degree to which proposal meets a demonstrated or unmet need.
Degree to which the proposed project demonstrates sustainability or long-term impact.
The proposal demonstrates an effective plan for outreach to people with disabilities to engage with the activities available at the business or organization. Applicants may use a portion of the funds requested for outreach.
Examples of supportable projects: Purchase or development of specialized equipment or product to enable or enhance accessibility; sensitivity or specific skills training for employees to better support and engage with customers who have disabilities; modifications to an existing space or activity to accommodate people with disabilities; funding of an initial stage of a larger project (e.g., architectural plan), etc. Applicants may propose combining funds from other sources to support a larger project that meets the required one-year timeframe for completion. These are just a few suggestions. We encourage applicants to think creatively!
AAA Grants Will Not Fund:
A new or current service or program that is designed to primarily or only engage people with disabilities (e.g., karate for kids with autism, dance classes for adults with disabilities, hiking for the visually impaired)
A service or product that will only benefit a single individual (e.g., equipment needing to be custom fit for a particular person, funding a one-on-one assistant) or only people with disabilities served by one specific program or organization.
PA service or program focused on employment or the development of employment-related skills (e.g., training programs, volunteer activities).
A service or program focused on education or academic training.
Overview
The purpose of the Access for All Abilities (AAA) Mini-Grant initiative is to increase access to social, leisure, recreational and cultural activities for persons with disabilities in Rhode Island. The Sherlock Center has granted more than 109,000 to 49 businesses and organizations since 2009. The Sherlock Center, Rhode Island's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), receives funding for this initiative through the United States Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Developmental Disabilities.
Grant Applications
The next grant cycle is planned for fall 2020. Join our mailing list to receive related announcements.
Contact Bernice Panicci at 401-456-4773 or bpanicci@ric.edu to request the application materials in an alternative format or language.
Grant Timeline
Grant applicants must submit a complete application online, postmarked, faxed or in-person, by the stated deadline.
Grantees must complete the proposed project within one year of the grant award.
Grantees are required to submit a report documenting how the grant funds were used within thirty days after the project completion.
W3C approved.