The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) at ACL has opened a new funding opportunity for a Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program on Wireless Technologies and a Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTCs) on Interventions to Promote Community Living Among People with Disabilities.

The purpose of the RERC program is to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act by conducting advanced engineering research on and development of innovative technologies that are designed to solve particular rehabilitation problems or to remove environmental barriers. RERCs also demonstrate and evaluate such technologies, facilitate service delivery system changes, stimulate the production and distribution of new technologies and equipment in the private sector, and provide training opportunities.

RERC on Wireless Technologies: This particular opportunity is for an RERC to conduct research and development activities to improve the ability of individuals with sensory, mobility, cognitive, or other disabilities to obtain, independently access and use wireless technologies in their schools, communities, workplaces, or for emergency response.

View more details and application instructions.

Please visit the link above for more details about the grant opportunity and application process. This grant opportunity closes on April 26, 2021.

The purpose of the RRTC program, which are funded through the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program, is to achieve the goals of, and improve the effectiveness of, services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act through well-designed research, training, technical assistance, and dissemination activities in important topic areas as specified by NIDILRR. These activities are designed to benefit rehabilitation service providers, individuals with disabilities, family members, and other stakeholders. 

RRTC on Interventions to Promote Community Living Among People with Disabilities: This particular opportunity is for an RRTC to conduct research and related activities toward interventions to promote community living outcomes among people with disabilities.

View more details and application instructions.

Please visit the link above for more details about the grant opportunity and application process. This grant opportunity closes on April 26, 2021.

Do you want to Present at the Self-Determination Conference in 2021?

Are you interested in presenting at the 2021 Self-Determination Conference?  We are seeking session proposals for Tuesday, October 19 & Wednesday, October 20, 2021.    

This year’s theme: Growing Stronger Together will help people with disabilities lead more Self-Determined lives by recognizing the valued role communities play in our lives!

Things to know when submitting a proposal:

• Proposals must include a self-advocate(s) as a lead or co-presenter.
• Panels should be limited to no more than 3 people. 
• Conference sessions must support Self-Determination and Self-Directed principles.

• Presentations will be in person and on video this year. Activity and tools must be available on both platforms. Presentations should focus on practical, take-home strategies that people can implement in their work and lives.
• Sessions should not promote specific agencies or products. 
• Repeat or similar sessions from previous conferences will not be considered.
• Sessions will be 1.5 hours in length.
• A typical session has an audience of 50-75 attendees. 

Download the Application:

All proposals are due by 12 p.m. on April 2, 2021.

Please submit your completed proposal form to:

Fil Clissa at Fil.Clissa@wisconsin.gov  or mail to BPDD, 101 E. Wilson St., Room 219, Madison, WI 53703

The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) at ACL has opened a new funding opportunity for a Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program on Blindness and Low Vision.

The purpose of the RERC program is to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act by conducting advanced engineering research on and development of innovative technologies that are designed to solve particular rehabilitation problems or to remove environmental barriers. RERCs also demonstrate and evaluate such technologies, facilitate service delivery system changes, stimulate the production and distribution of new technologies and equipment in the private sector, and provide training opportunities.

RERC on Blindness and Low Vision: This particular opportunity is for an RERC to conduct research and development activities toward technologies that will promote independence and community living among people with low vision and blindness.

View more details and application instructions.

Please visit the link above for more details about the grant opportunity and application process. This grant opportunity closes on April 19, 2021.

ACL's National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) has opened two new funding opportunities for Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) on Employment of Individuals with Disabilities.

The purpose of the DRRP program is to plan and conduct research, demonstration projects, training, and related activities (including international activities) to develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities.

NIDILRR plans to make two field-initiated DRRP awards in the employment domain. NIDILRR's two awards under this grant competition may include research projects, development projects, or both, depending on the ranking of applications provided by the peer review panel.

Employment of Individuals with Disabilities (Research): Under this particular DRRP priority, applicants must propose a research project that is aimed at improving the employment outcomes of individuals with disabilities. In carrying out a research project under this program, a grantee must identify one or more hypotheses or research questions and, based on the hypotheses or research questions identified, perform an intensive, systematic study directed toward producing (1) new or full scientific knowledge, or (2) understanding of the subject or problem studied. 

View more details and application instructions.

Please visit the link above for more details about the grant opportunity and application process. This grant opportunity closes on March 29, 2021.

Employment of Individuals with Disabilities (Development): Under this particular DRRP priority, applicants must propose a development project that is aimed at improving the employment outcomes of individuals with disabilities. In carrying out a development activity under this program, a grantee must use knowledge and understanding gained from research to create materials, devices, systems, methods, measures, techniques, tools, prototypes, processes, or intervention protocols that are beneficial to the target population.

View more details and application instructions.

Please visit the link above for more details about the grant opportunity and application process. This grant opportunity closes on March 29, 2021.

The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) at ACL has opened a new funding opportunity for an Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTCs) on Employer Practices Leading to Successful Employment Outcomes Among People With Disabilities.

The purpose of the RRTC program, which are funded through the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program, is to achieve the goals of, and improve the effectiveness of, services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act through well-designed research, training, technical assistance, and dissemination activities in important topic areas as specified by NIDILRR. These activities are designed to benefit rehabilitation service providers, individuals with disabilities, family members, and other stakeholders. 

Employer Practices Leading to Successful Employment Outcomes Among People With Disabilities: This particular opportunity is for an RRTC is to generate new knowledge about effective employer practices that support successful employment outcomes among people with disabilities.

View more details and application instructions.

Please visit the link above for more details about the grant opportunity and application process. This grant opportunity closes on March 22, 2021.

While this fall still looks uncertain with COVID-19, the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities will still be running their Fall grants and programs. Some of these may look a little different, but their staff are getting creative to support projects around the state in the safest way possible.

Do you have an idea to make your community a better place for people with disabilities? Our SPARKs grant applications will be available on July 13th! Organize your grassroots group and apply for funding to help make it happen! Individuals with developmental disabilities and family members may apply. We are looking for projects with a focus on voting (for the 2020 election), COVID-19, create transportation ideas, and project ideas from under-served communities.

Learn more

While this fall still looks uncertain with COVID-19, the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities will still be running their Fall grants and programs. Some of these may look a little different, but their staff are getting creative to support projects around the state in the safest way possible.

 Does your program, school or organization want to increase employment for people with disabilities? Applications for Employment First Partner grants will open on July 13th! Spread the word to others in your community about the importance of employment for people with disabilities. Activities our grants support include presenting to service clubs and business groups, organizing community conversations, holding legislative events and town hall meetings, and educating people with disabilities and their families about having community jobs.

Learn more

The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) at ACL has opened a new funding opportunity for the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) on Technology for Expressive Communication. 

The purpose of the DRRP program is to plan and conduct research, demonstration projects, training, and related activities (including international activities) to develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities.

DRRP on Technology for Expressive Communication: Under this particular DRRP priority, NIDILRR aims to sponsor research and development activities to generate new knowledge and technology products that can be used to improve the use of expressive language by people with developmental, adult-onset, or acquired communication disabilities, thereby improving community living outcomes.

View more details and application instructions.

Please visit the link above for more details about the grant opportunity and application process.This grant opportunity closes on May 18, 2020.

The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) at ACL has opened several funding opportunities for the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) on Community Living and Participation (both Research and Development), Health and Function (both Research and Development), and Projects for Translating the Findings and Products of Disability Rehabilitation Research and Development into Practice. 

The purpose of the DRRP program is to plan and conduct research, demonstration projects, training, and related activities (including international activities) to develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities.

DRRP on Community Living and Participation (Research): Under this particular DRRP priority, applicants must propose a research project that is aimed at improving community living and participation outcomes of individuals with disabilities. A grantee must identify one or more hypotheses or research questions and perform an intensive, systematic study directed toward producing (1) new or full scientific knowledge, or (2) understanding of the subject or problem studied.  

DRRP on Community Living and Participation (Development): Under this particular DRRP priority, applicants must propose a development project that is aimed at improving the community living and participation of individuals with disabilities. A grantee must use knowledge and understanding gained from research to create materials, devices, systems, or methods beneficial to the target population, including design and development of prototypes and processes.

DRRP on Health and Function (Research): Under this particular DRRP priority, applicants must propose a research project that is aimed at improving health and function outcomes of individuals with disabilities. A grantee must identify one or more hypotheses or research questions and perform an intensive, systematic study directed toward producing (1) new or full scientific knowledge, or (2) understanding of the subject or problem studied. 

DRRP on Health and Function (Development): Under this particular DRRP priority, applicants must propose a development project that is aimed at improving the health and function of individuals with disabilities. A grantee must use knowledge and understanding gained from research to create materials, devices, systems, or methods beneficial to the target population, including design and development of prototypes and processes.

DRRP on Projects for Translating the Findings and Products of Disability and Rehabilitation Research and Development into Practice: Under this particular DRRP priority, grantees must promote the use or adoption of findings or products from NIDILRR-sponsored research or development projects.

Please visit the links above for more details about this grant opportunity and application process. These grant opportunities close on March 23, 2020.

Do you know a high school student with a disability who is a leader or a budding advocate? If so, please refer them to the Wisconsin Youth Leadership Forum (YLF)!

WHO: High school students with disabilities who have an IEP (up to age 21)

WHERE: Edgewood College, Madison, WI
WHEN: July 19 – 24, 2020
COST: FREE to invited participants

In just one week, students will gain:

• Better leadership skills
• Practice getting/keeping a job
• Career exploration
• Improved self-advocacy skills
• Adult mentors to support you
• A Personal Leadership Plan to keep you focused when you go home
• Increased confidence
• Experience with independent living skills
• Connections with your state legislators & new friends
• Memories and fun!

Application is available at: https://wi-bpdd.org/index.php/wisconsin-youth-leadership-forum/
Applications are due April 1st, 2020! 

Being selected to attend the Youth Leadership Forum is a distinct honor that can go on a resume!   

Questions?  Contact, Jennifer.neugart@wisconsin.gov or call 608-266-7707.