Assistive Technology Fund Available for Blind People
The Association of Blind Citizens has a new Assistive Technology Fund that provides funds to individuals needing adaptive devices or software to increase independence and opportunities for employment. They will pay 50% of the retail costs if the cost of the equipment is between $200 and $6000. In order to be eligible for these funds, your family income must be less than $50,000 and you must have less than $20000 in cash assets. If you are selected by the committee to receive the grant, you will be asked to provide financial documents to the Assistive Technology Committee. You also must be a resident of the US and legally blind. To apply, use the form on the website, which also has more detailed information on the application process. You also must supply them with a 500-word description of what you would like to purchase and how it will help you in employment and independence. Deadlines: June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2008

Home Depot Foundation
This foundation supports nonprofits focused on at-risk youth. The programs help to develop leaders and encourage young people to become contributing community citizens through job readiness training, leadership development and volunteerism. Grants are directed toward programs that target youth, ages 12-18, residing in under-served communities. For more information visit their website. Deadlines: July 15, October 15, January 15, and April 15

NISH National Scholar Award for Workplace Innovation & Design
The National Scholar Award for Workplace Innovation & Design was founded by NISH to encourage the development of creative technological solutions for barriers that prevent people with disabilities from entering or advancing in the workplace. The National Scholar Award is open to any college student or student team at the graduate or undergraduate level. The National Scholar Award program is a great service learning opportunity for engineering, computer science, industrial design, physical therapy and occupational therapy students. Up to three awards are given annually: 1st place is $10,000, 2nd place is $5,000, and 3rd place is $3,000. Registration will be available from September 1, 2008 through April 24, 2009. Students are encouraged to register early in the school year so that they can receive updates and additional program information over the course of the year. Deadline: Friday, April 24, 2009

"Green Light " Call for Entries, Young Artists with Disabilities

Sponsored by VSA arts and Volkswagen of America, Inc. Open to young artists with disabilities, ages 16 -25, living within the U.S. No entry fee. "Driven" challenges artists to pinpoint the motivational force behind their artistic expression and to identify the catalyst that sustains their creative energy. Art must be an original work that has been completed in the last three (3) years. Eligible media includes: paintings, drawings, fine art prints, photography, computer-generated prints, and mixed media; must be presented in two dimensions. Artwork should not exceed 60 inches in either direction. Fifteen (15) finalists will be awarded a total of $60,000 in awards during an awards ceremony on Capitol Hill in September 2007, and artwork will be displayed in a nation-wide touring exhibition that debuts at the Smithsonian. For additional information and to access the application visit: http://www.vsarts.org/PreBuilt/showcase/gallery/exhibits/vw/current/ Phone 800.933.8721 x3885; Email: jenniferw@vsarts.org Alternative formats of the application are available upon request. Deadline: Friday, July 11, 2008

Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation to Support Programs for Adults With Disabilities

The Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation awards funds in the areas of arts, advocacy, and education to nonprofit organizations that are led by or support adults with disabilities. The foundation encourages distinctive projects that change the face of disability in a community. These programs impact the lives of people with disabilities and are supported by the local community, including foundations, corporations, and individual funders. It is ELA's vision to "Change the Face of Disability on the Planet" by providing grant support for the implementation of "cutting edge" programs.

The grant request must be for a program in the area of arts, advocacy, or education and must serve adults over the age of 22 with disabilities. Applicants must be U.S.-based 501(c)(3) designated organizations that have been in existence for two years or longer. The program must be approved for submission via the online grant application form in order for the fullgrant application to be accepted. The online grant application form must be submitted by March 15 for the May 1 deadline and by September 15 for the November 1 deadline. No hard copy grant application packets will be accepted unless the program is approved through the online application process. Visit the foundation's Web site for complete program guidelines and application procedures. Deadline: September 15, 2008

Courage Center Seeks Applications for Judd Jacobson Memorial Award
Courage Center (http://www.couragecenter.org), a nonprofit rehabilitation and resource center for people with disabilities, is seeking applications for its annual Judd Jacobson Memorial Award. Established in 1992, the Jacobson Award recognizes the pursuit or achievement of a business entrepreneurial endeavor by a person with a physical disability or sensory impairment. The award recipient will be honored at an event in November and receive a $5,000 cash award to advance their business endeavors.

To be considered for the award, applicants must be 18 years of age and reside in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, or North or South Dakota. Applicants must also demonstrate entrepreneurial skill, financial need, exceptional personal commitment, and have received little or no public recognition for their business endeavor. Applications are available online at the Courage Center Web site under the "Resources" heading. Deadline: September 19, 2008

The 2009 Paul G. Hearne Leadership Awards

In 2009, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) will once again recognize those outstanding individuals personifying leadership, advocacy, and dedication to and for the disability community at large. Three individuals, who are emerging as leaders in the cross-disability civil rights movement, will each receive $10,000 to help them continue their progress as leaders and further connect their work with the national grassroots of AAPD. The recipients of the 2009 Hearne Leadership Awards will also have an opportunity to meet and network with national disability leaders at the AAPD Leadership Gala in Washington, DC in March 2009. Residents of the U.S. with any type of disability are eligible to apply, and are required to complete the Application Instructions and Procedures available on the AAPD website. Deadline: must be received by Friday, September 30, 2008

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