The July 2024 edition of the Ability Central monthly e-newsletter, Access:Ability.
2025 Grant Cycle Applications Open July 9th
Ability Central Announces 2025 Funding Cycle
In our 13th year of grantmaking, we at Ability Central are proud to announce our 2025 funding year, focused on empowering California nonprofits serving people who are Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent.
A total of $1 million in new funding is available, with grant awards ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. Grant applications are live and will be accepted through September 13th, 2024.
This year, we’ve announced two funding priorities for our annual Communication Access Grants:
- Developing and training healthcare professionals in strategies and tools that improve access to care for people with communication disabilities.
- Career and leadership development projects for people with communication disabilities.
New for 2025, we’ve introduced a streamlined application process. Instead of submitting Letters of Inquiry, grant applicants will now complete a short eligibility quiz. Our grants team will host calls with applicants who pass the quiz, then give applicants who meet our requirements access to the full application.
To learn more about a grant from Ability Central, eligibility requirements, and a cycle timeline, including details on the application process and a webinar for applicants, visit our Grant Opportunities page here.
Ability Central Leadership Update
Ability Central Promotes Alyah Thomas to Accessibility and Partnerships Manager
We are excited to announce that Alyah Thomas will be stepping into the role of Accessibility and Partnerships Manager for Ability Central!
In this new role, she’ll be the primary manager of our grants program, interfacing with grantees and our community members to guide the allocation and completion of grant projects.
Alyah will also continue developing outreach strategies for trainings and conferences, presenting on IDEA initiatives and accessibility for organizations of every size.
You can learn more about Alyah’s background and read her bio on our staff page.
Resource Roundup
Disability Pride Month
Celebrated each July in honor of the Americans with Disabilities Act’s anniversary, Disability Pride Month is a time to celebrate the history, lived experiences, and achievements of the disability community.
We’ve made amazing progress as a community to fight for advocacy and awareness, but we still have work to do to fight disability discrimination and embrace equality for all.
This Disability Pride Month, we encourage you to engage with your community and take pride in your identity in new ways. Practice empowerment by educating yourself about your rights as a person with disabilities.
You can start by learning more about the Americans with Disabilities Act, disability rights in the workplace, and how to request accommodations. Get started with our favorite disability rights resources below!
Disability Rights in the Workplace: An Overview
Ability Central guides you through the protected rights of people with disabilities at work: reasonable accommodations, safe work environments, and the right to start, keep, and grow your career.
Employee Guide: How to Ask for Workplace Accommodations
Having trouble asking your boss for workplace accommodations? Ability Central shares tips for negotiating accommodations with employers, as well as information about workers’ rights protected by law.