The Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (TCDD) issued a Request for Applications (RFA) for Community Inclusion Mini-Grants (RFA 2020-05). Through these grants, organizations will create opportunities and address barriers so people with disabilities can experience full community inclusion. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2020.
Background
TCDD works to create change so people with disabilities can achieve their potential for independence and be included in their communities. When people with disabilities are included in school, work, and social activities, individuals have a higher quality of life and communities are stronger. However, many people with disabilities in Texas don’t experience full community inclusion. There may be specific barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating in their communities, such as inadequate accessible transportation, a lack of integrated employment options, or segregated after-school activities for students. There also may be a lack of understanding about how the community as a whole can support and include people with disabilities. Every community – and the people in it – is unique, so identifying barriers and creating innovative solutions may be unique to each community.
About the RFA
Projects will identify and address barriers to full community inclusion faced by people with disabilities in their community. Full community inclusion is defined as participating in education, employment, and social activities in the community alongside both people with and without disabilities. Ultimately, the goal of Community Inclusion Mini-Grants is to produce short- and/or long-term systems change.
To address the barrier, projects may either replicate best practices or develop unique and innovative ideas. At the conclusion of the project, grantees will be able to clearly demonstrate how the barrier was addressed and how community inclusion has improved.
Below are examples of projects that could improve community inclusion.
- Awareness: Conduct an awareness campaign about developmental disabilities and how the community is stronger when people of all abilities are included.
- Employment: Collaborate with local employers to promote hiring people with disabilities for community-integrated jobs at a competitive wage.
- Education: Work with parents and teachers to promote greater inclusion in school activities.
- Socializing: Work with community members and local leaders to create opportunities for individuals with disabilities to access public spaces and/or events.
- Transportation: Work with the local transit authority and transportation providers to develop models that increase the accessibility and availability of transportation options.
The above list is not exhaustive and there may be other project activities to consider. Projects should have an impact beyond the duration of grant funding, both by the direct impact they’ve had at the local level and through potential replication by other communities and/or implementation by larger organizations. Preference will be given to new and innovative project ideas.
The anticipated total amount of federal funding available for this RFA is $15,000 for up to 12 months. Up to 10 projects may be funded.
