Access For All Abilities (AAA) Mini-Grant

Grants of up to $2,500 to Rhode Island nonprofits, government agencies, and businesses to improve access to social, recreational, leisure, and cultural activities for people of all abilities. Funding is intended to foster increased access to typical public activities for people with disabilities.

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 include: 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.