Access for All Abilities Mini Grant Initiative - Past Recipients

Grant Overview

2019 Recipients

The Cranston Public Library provides essential early literacy programming for children ages 0-5. At these programs, we invite parents and caregivers to accompany their children in listening to stories, singing songs, using hand motions to act out rhymes, playing with toys, and creating art projects for little hands. These programs support the five early literacy practices "Talk, Sing, Read, Write, Play," which are essential pre-reading skills. The Library will use the grant funds to make physical changes to the programming space to meet the needs of children with sensory sensitivities.

Find Your Bold, located in Warwick, is all about conquering people's limitations through the use of OCR (Obstacle Course Races), team building events or hiking/trail running. In April 2019, Find Your Bold contracted with Camp Canonicus in North Kingstown, RI, to create a course using semi-permanent and permanent obstacles that would be accessible to all. Find Your Bold will use the grant funds to build a bridge and accessible ramp to aid in crossing the brook and rocky incline on route to the new course. Once on the trail, the wheelchairs can move about freely. Find Your Bold is also researching the prospects of purchasing an all-terrain wheelchair for use by participants.

Roger Williams Park Zoo operates an environmental camp for ten weeks through the summer season. ZooCamp provides a fun and educational experience for up to 2,000 campers every year and strives to create an inclusive environment for all. The Zoo will use the grant funds to install a Sensory Pathway. The pathway will serve as an unstructured structured time to allow campers to express themselves or to provide a break from other activities. If successful, the Zoo hopes to incorporate the pathway into other programs.

The Woonsocket Harris Public Library is a culturally diverse urban library offering a variety of programs to patrons including Sensory Story Time and Sensory Exploration, music events, teen time, AARP tax-aide, the Live and Learn Memory Loss program, adult knitting circle and adult book club. The Library will use the grant funds to purchase adaptive equipment such as rollater walkers, assistive listening devices, transport wheelchair, handheld page magnifiers, reading glasses of various strengths and a variety of children's books in braille.

YMCA of Greater Providence is a nonprofit association of YMCA branches in RI and Southeastern Massachusetts. Programs include Out of School Time programs, summer camps, and academically aligned enrichment opportunities before and after school. The YMCA will use the grant funds to expand access to the YMCA of GP's Camp Ok Wa Nessett to campers with disabilities. Purchases will include a beach wheelchair to enable access to the swimming ponds and four portable ramps that will provide access to the Science and Education Pavilion (STEM), Archery Center, Spray Park, and Art Pavilion.

2018 Recipients

Save the Bay
Save the Bay’s mission is to protect and improve Narragansett Bay. The Bay Center, located in Providence, provides public access classrooms, meeting space and to the coastline. Save the Bay is implementing a long-stranding plan to install a boating dock space, a public pier for fishing, and a kayak launch at the Bay Center. Once complete, the Bay Center will host 440-feet of waterfront space open to the public. The grant funds will help support the materials and installation of aluminum handicapped access ramps for the pier and kayak launch.

The Arctic Playhouse (TAP) established in 2014, is located in downtown Arctic Village in West Warwick. TAP's mission is to provide the community with affordable access to the performing arts in a variety of genres and styles, while fostering the growth of developing artists. The organization nurtures the talent and vision of Rhode Island performing and visual artists with recognition, employment, and developmental opportunities. Programs at TAP are available to the public and include live theater performances, musical performances, film screenings, magician acts, and community art nights. TAP is locating to a larger venue that will increase its theater capacity. They will use the grant funds to install accessible restrooms in the new space.

the imPOSSIBLE DREAM
The imPOSSIBLE DREAM playground, located in Warwick, offers an integrated play and social setting for all children and families. Opened in 2009, the playground offers picnic pavilions, gazebos and park like settings. The facility also offers a large hall that can accommodate 100 guests. In the winter, it becomes an "indoor" playground, offering indoor, accessible play. The organization will use the grants funds to purchase a WhisperGLIDE swing that is wheelchair accessible. The WhisperGLIDE provide seating for multiple people, affording wheelchair users the opportunity to swing with friends and family.

2017 Recipients

Davisville Free Library for almost 100 years, has provided recreational, educational and cultural services to the community of North Kingstown. The library will use its grant of $1400 to educate staff on how to create inclusive Storytimes. The library will purchase equipment such as scarves, shakers, beanbags, big books, and flannel board stories to help meet the diverse sensory needs of children participating in storytelling activities.

Preserve Rhode Island's Lippitt House Museum, built in 1865, captures the brilliance of Victorian design and represents a time in Providence's industrial history. The Museum offers guided tours, special exhibitions, lectures, art installations, concerns and family programs. Preserve Rhode Island will use its grant of $2064 to develop an American Sign Language (ASL) video tour equivalent to their docent-led tours and to develop a written English translation of the ASL video tour to serve as a supplement for self-guided visitors.

Providence Community Library is a nonprofit organization operating nine neighborhood libraries in Greater Providence. The Library will use its grant of $2200 to install an automatic swing door operator in the South Providence Library location. The library offers access to numerous community events, classes, and programs, as well as typical library resources. The library is fully accessible once inside. An automatic door will allow individuals with physical impairments to enter/exit the library on their own.

The Wilbury Theatre Group, founded in 2010, is a collaboration of artists producing contemporary theatre in Providence. Three years ago, The Wilbury Group expanded its programming the Providence Fringe Festival that includes performances by local and national touring artists, as well as a "Family Fringe Day" that offers free performances to children and families. The Wilbury Group will use its grant of $1800 to make its new Olneyville performance space full accessible. Renovations will include the addition of a wheelchair ramp at the side door and renovations to make a restroom wheelchair accessible.

YMCA of Pawtucket is comprised of five branches across the state, including the Westwood YMCA Summer Camp located in Coventry. The Westwood YMCA offers swimming, boating, hiking, and a variety of other activities for children. The YMCA of Pawtucket will use its grant of $2500 towards the purchase of a Hippocampe Wheelchair that would permit campers easier access to the water. The Hippocampe Wheelchair is an all-terrain chair that individuals can self-propel, be pushed, or pulled to participate in camp activities.

2016 Recipients

	Exeter Public Library is a municipal public library serving the town of Exeter and surrounding communities. Their facilities include a full-service library and playground, Chelsea Park. The Library will use its grant to purchase a two-bay ADA Combination Swing Set for Chelsea Park. The swing set will have a molded swing for children to be lifted into and a wheelchair swing that an adult or child in a wheelchair can use while remaining in their chair. The playground landscape is handicapped accessible, however, the equipment is not. The installation of the new swing set is the first step towards providing an inclusive space for families and children.
	Jamestown Arts Center (JAC) is a multi-disciplinary visual and performing arts space that hosts art exhibits, theater and dance performances, film screenings, and provides art and design educational programs for people of all ages. JAC will use its grant to host a series of trainings for its staff and instructor to better support individuals with disabilities within their typical programs. Funds will also be used to purchase adaptive equipment and art supplies. JAC will work closely with several partners in the disability community to encourage greater participation of individuals with disabilities in their programs.
	North Kingstown Free Library (NKFL) is a municipal library serving residents in the town of North Kingstown and statewide via the Ocean State Libraries consortium. In addition to offering physical and digital collections, their programs include lectures, workshops, concerts, movies, story-times, presentations, book discussions, etc. NKFL plans to use its grant to install an induction hearing loop in their meeting room space. The meeting room is physically accessible, and now the hearing loop will allow better access to programming for those with hearing loss.
	Ocean Community YMCA offers a wide range of social and leisure programs and classes at its three branches and at Camp Watchaug, as well as community events such as Healthy Kids Day, holiday gatherings, and races. The YMCA will use its grant funds to train an employee to become certified as an Adaptive Sailing Instructor and to purchase equipment that will allow campers of all abilities to safely participate in sailing.

2015 Recipients

	Coggeshall Farm Museum provides visitors with the opportunity to explore 18th-century farm life in Rhode Island. The Coggeshall Museum used it grant to install a permanent and portable ramp to provide access to the 1790's farmhouse and a restroom at the farm.
	The Norman Bird Sanctuary (NBS) offers seven miles of hiking trails, camp and educational programs, as well as public programs and events. The NBS used its award to contribute to the creation of an ADA-compliant Universal Trail that allows access to individuals who use wheelchairs or other mobility aids. The new trail opened November 2015.
	Pilgrim Lutheran Church offers a variety of social activities, performances, and events, as well as community support services. Pilgrim Lutheran Church purchased items to address visual and auditory needs of individuals participating in services and public events, including large print or Braille books, large print programs, and an FM assistive listening system. The grant is also hoping to fund an American Sign Language interpreter for social activities.
	Youth Pride, Inc., (YPI) supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth and young adults. YPI's runs a drop-in center dedicated to meeting the needs of young people, ages 13 - 23, impacted by their sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression. YPI is providing professional development training to its staff to help them better serve youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

2014 Recipients

	Audubon Society of Rhode Island The Audubon Society of Rhode Island resurfaced the meadow trail from the Environmental Education Center at the Claire D. McIntosh Wildlife Refuge in Bristol. The changes allow full accessibility to the boardwalk, grasslands, and wetlands down to the Narragansett Bay.
	Providence Public Library The Providence Public Library used the mini-grant funds to make a sensory kit available to patrons. The kit consists of assistive listening devices, magnifiers, and high intensity lamps. Staff received training to assist patrons in using the tools.
	Town of Westerly The Town of Westerly purchased a MobiChair with the mini-grant funds. A MobiChair, which reclines and floats, is a high quality beach wheelchair that will allow access to the boardwalk, beach, and water.
	Yawgoo Valley Ski School Yawgoo Valley Ski School trained professional ski instructors in adaptive instruction. Instructors received training through the Professional Ski Instructors of America which specializes in instruction for skiers with disabilities.

2013 Recipients

	Cranston YMCA The Cranston YMCA used its grant to fund the purchase of a wheelchair-accessible upper body exercise machine.
	NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley, a Woonsocket community development corporation, purchased a computer-based individualized reading program, furnishings and sensory materials for its Art Center for grades K-5.
	Newport Art Museum The Newport Art Museum reconstructed a ramp at the museum's main building, the John N.A. Griswold House, completing a larger accessibility project.

2012 Recipients

Blackstone Valley Boys and Girls Club
The Blackstone Valley Boys and Girls Club expanded a program which supports elementary school children to participate in the Club's summer program. With support, children on the autism spectrum participated in the typical camp activities alongside all members. Funds were used to provided materials in accessible format and to support training for staff and peer mentors.

Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
The Blackstone Valley Explorer is a 40-passenger riverboat, which provides a 45 minute narrated tours along sections of the Blackstone River. Blackstone Valley Tourism Council customized an access ramp for the riverboat, and purchased a portable ramp to allow wheelchair access from a floating dock.

East Side/Mt. Hope YMCA
East Side/Mt. Hope YMCA improved access to existing areas within the facility. Locker room showers equipped with hand-held shower heads and shower seats, and changes were made to allow accessible access to the new member consultation area.

New Urban Farmers
New Urban Farmers (NUF) works to increase healthy food access in the cities of Pawtucket and Central Falls by eliminating barriers to healthy food and empowering low-income individuals and families with education and collaboration. To accomplish this mission, NUF works with the city, reclaiming urban land and transforming it into community gardens. New Urban Farmers created accessible raised garden beds at its three community garden sites.

Rhode Island Zoological Society
One of our nation's oldest zoos (opened in 1872), Roger Williams Park Zoo is an integral part of southern New England's history and heritage, bringing excitement and discovery of the natural world to generations of visitors.The Park's ZooCamp provides camp activities to preschoolers through fifth-graders, purchased resources to adapt program materials to meet the needs of all children and provided training to camp staff to support campers with disabilities as they participate in typical camp activities.

2011 Recipients

	The Providence Children's Museum The Providence Children's Museum welcomes children and adults of all backgrounds and from all communities. Its focus is on serving southern New England children ages 1 to 11, and the adults who care for them. The Museum expanded a training initiative on inclusion and best practices in disability awareness for staff and volunteers to conduct a year-long evaluation of the Museum's learning environments, in consultation with families of children with disabilities and professionals.
	Providence Inner City Arts Providence Inner City Arts is a new place in the city of Providence for people of all cultures to enjoy each other and each other's cultures, and to celebrate the arts. Providence Inner City Arts built an accessible stage at its newly opened Roots Café, allowing artists and performers with disabilities to be included in arts, cultural and entertainment programming, and workshops or lectures.
	Rock Spot Climbing Rock Spot Climbing, located in Lincoln, an indoor climbing facility that welcomes climbers of all ages and abilities. Rock Spot Climbing offers visits, memberships and lessons to individuals and groups. Rock Spot Climbing offered discounted day passes to individuals with disabilities.
	The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre, located in Pawtucket, offers live theater and educational programming to the public. The Theater produces a five-to-six season of plays, reaching over 26,000 audience members annually. The Theatre purchaseed and installed aisle rails to increase safety and improve accessibility to each row of the 137-seat theater.
	Vartan Gregorain Elementary School PTO The Vartan Gregorian Elementary School PTO used its award to help provide access to an elevated play structure, as part of its Accessible Playground Project at Cabral Park. Students at Vartan Gregorian Elementary School use Cabral Park playground for daily recess. The Boys and Girls Club at Fox Point use the park to provide after school programs to children of all abilities. Children will have access to the elevated play structure through a series of accessible ramps, bridges, and wheelchair accessible play panels.

2010 Recipients

	The Contemporary Theater Company The Contemporary Theater Company used its grant to stage a production of "Alice in Wonderland" in collaboration with GEAR Productions, a South Kingstown community organization that produces theatrical performances for children. The show, held in November 2010, included 44 people with physical and/or cognitive disabilities and 24 trained actors. The play was performed in front of more than 800 members of the public and more than 600 schoolchildren. Participants had the opportunity to experience all aspects of a professionally produced play - from acting, singing and dancing to set building and backstage work.
	Grand Piano of Greenville Grand Piano of Greenville created a karaoke program for children and adults with and without disabilities, providing opportunity for participants to share music and socialize through a venue designed to minimize performance anxiety and build confidence. Funds purchased portable equipment so the participants could perform at community and public venues.
	The Norman Bird Sanctuary The Norman Bird Sanctuary repaired the Norman Universal Access Trail, which was impassable by wheelchair in some areas, and to promote the restored accessibility of the facility. The Universal Trail system begins at the main parking lot and ends at an observation deck overlooking Red Maple Swamp Pond. In the past, visitors using wheelchairs were only able to visit the gift shop, rest rooms and small surrounding area, which did not include a New England hardwood forest. The improvements enabled many school groups, which included students with disabilities, to make the mile trip into the woodland and to the Red Maple Pond observation deck this past fall.
	Slater Mill Slater Mill used the grant funds to draw up a plan for ramps and handrails to make the waterwheel and machine shop exhibits at the Wilkinson Mill fully accessible.

2009 Recipients

Bristol Historical and Preservation Society
The Bristol Histroical and Preservation Society housed in the former Bristol Town Jail, acquired video and audio technology to make the Society's collections available as a video tour for individuals with disabilities who are currently unable to access the historic building's second floor.

The Providence Public Library
the Providence Public Library utilized the grant funds to conduct a series of workshops designed to help librarians and program presenters become more effective at inclusion of children and adults with disabilities or mental illness in library programs. Videotapes of the workshops are available in digital form from the Providence Library website.

The Rotary Club of Chariho
The Rotary Club of Chariho used grant money to help defray the cost of crushed stone and equipment at the Sarah Jane McCullough Play Area, which serves children and adults in Richmond, Hopkinton, Charlestown, Westerly and Exeter. The crushed stone is part of a subsurface for a "poured in place" rubber surface, which allows complete wheelchair access. The equipment is not only accessible but also useable by people in wheelchairs. The play area, located at Richmond Elementary School, is an inclusive playground available to all individuals and families.

The Steel Yard
The Steel Yard offers free industrial arts classes and job training for low-income students aged 13-18, and produces street art for local neighborhoods and communities. The Steel Yard acquired additional safety equipment and a digital projector to assist in accessible, demonstration-based teaching.
The Steel Yard also developed, upgraded, and implemented curricula that integrate the digital projector to assist with class demonstrations, protecting students with disabilities from feeling singled out for expanded one-on-one demonstrations.

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