Advancing Disability Justice in Public Health

The WITH Foundation (WITH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) are collaborating to offer a funding opportunity aimed at advancing disability justice in public health. This initiative specifically centers on the goals, perspectives, and needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in Communities of Color. The grant program seeks to support projects that align with the foundations' missions to improve health outcomes and promote equity, particularly for underserved populations. By focusing on disability justice within public health, the program directly addresses systemic inequities and aims to create more inclusive and accessible health systems. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program are adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) residing in Communities of Color. The overarching impact goal is to enhance public health by making it more trustworthy, accountable, collaborative, and anti-racist, all while empowering these individuals. The program also seeks to foster new partnerships or strengthen existing ones between disability organizations, advocates, community organizations, and healthcare providers to create a more robust support network for the target population. The program prioritizes four key areas: Implementation, Educational Resources, Advocacy, Power and Bridging, and Research. Under Implementation, the focus is on testing and advancing solutions that enhance public health by supporting the leadership and power-sharing with adults with I/DD in Communities of Color. Educational resources involve developing public health curricula and training, and leveraging networks for resource dissemination. Advocacy, Power and Bridging seeks to support regional or national advocacy with various community and grassroots organizations related to the care received by the target group within public health. Finally, Research aims to identify and close knowledge gaps, informing efforts to improve health outcomes through community-based research and partnerships with governmental public health. Expected outcomes include the development and implementation of new models that enhance public health and demonstrate genuine collaboration and anti-racism. For educational resources, proposals should include clear learning goals, approximate time commitments for learners, and how these materials would enhance existing resources. Successful advocacy efforts will lead to improved care and policy changes. Research projects are expected to illuminate structural barriers and inform evidence-based interventions. Ultimately, the program aims to achieve measurable results in improving the health, well-being, and self-advocacy of adults with I/DD in Communities of Color, reflecting the foundations' strategic priorities of fostering equitable health outcomes and systemic change through community-led initiatives and innovative solutions.