Community Foundation of Huntington County Accessibility Grants

The Community Foundation of Huntington County is offering Accessibility Grants to promote inclusivity within communities. This program aligns with the foundation's mission to enhance the quality of life in Huntington County by addressing critical needs, in this case, by removing barriers for individuals with disabilities. The grants aim to create a more welcoming environment for all by fostering solutions to accessibility challenges in buildings and infrastructure, thereby supporting a choice-driven life for individuals with disabilities. The target beneficiaries of these grants include individuals, families, and businesses within Huntington County, Indiana. The program particularly focuses on people with disabilities who are currently facing physical barriers preventing full access to community use and benefits. The impact goals are centered on making communities more inclusive, ensuring that accessibility needs are considered from both individual and community perspectives, and empowering individuals with disabilities to define their own preferences, opinions, priorities, and accommodations. The grant program has two main funding tracks: the Pathfinder Services Community Accessibility Fund and the AWS Foundation Community Accessible Communities Fund. Key priorities and focuses for both tracks include encouraging potential rather than identifying limitations, preferring social settings that include family and friends, exceeding ADA standards through Universal Design principles, and enhancing education and employment potential to contribute to greater independence. Collaboration is also highly encouraged, recognizing that collective effort increases opportunities. Expected outcomes include the physical removal of accessibility barriers, increased participation of individuals with disabilities in community life, and a more inclusive and welcoming environment across Huntington County. Measurable results would likely involve tracking the number of accessibility solutions implemented, the types of infrastructure improved, and anecdotal evidence of increased access and independence for individuals with disabilities. The foundation's strategic priorities are clearly geared towards fostering community well-being and equitable access, and their theory of change posits that by funding direct solutions to accessibility barriers, they can directly improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and create a more inclusive society.