"Under the Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) Program, the funds will support innovative activities aimed at improving the outcomes of people with disabilities."
The U.S. Department of Education today announced the award of $39 million in grants to five states to help students with disabilities prepare for postsecondary education and competitive integrated employment.
The states include:
California, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts and Vermont.
"Students with disabilities need to have strong transition plans and goals to leave high school ready for college and careers," said U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. "These awards will help states implement evidenced-based, work-based learning models to help break down barriers to employment."
Under the Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) Program, the funds will support innovative activities aimed at improving the outcomes of people with disabilities.
Each grant will finance Work-Based Learning Model Demonstrations that spotlight effective practices offering work-based learning experiences to improve post-school outcomes for students with disabilities.
The projects will take place in integrated settings under the vocational rehabilitation (VR) program, in collaboration with state educational agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs) and other key partners within the local community.
The grants are being funded through the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Rehabilitation Services Administration.
Following is a list of the grants:
Recipient | Amount |
California Department of Rehabilitation | $8,526,988 |
Maine Department of Labor | $9,000,000 |
Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services | $7,519,895 |
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission | $5,000,000 |
Vermont Agency of Human Services | $8,998,338 |
Total | $39,045,221 |
| 1 : Research Into Letter-Spacing Could Help Improve Reading Ability : Binghamton University. |
| 2 : Early Childhood Education Needs to be Accessible and Affordable : National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. |
| 3 : Inclusive Teaching Project Aims to Get Missing Million Into School : University of Sussex. |
| 4 : Examining Feelings of Inclusion Among Students with Disabilities : New York University (NYU). |
| 5 : Exclusion From School Can Trigger Long-Term Psychiatric Illness : University of Exeter. |
| From our Education section - Full List (133 Items) |
Submit disability news, coming events, as well as assistive technology product news and reviews.
Loan Information for low income singles, families, seniors and disabled. Includes home, vehicle and personal loans.
Famous People with Disabilities - Well known people with disabilities and conditions who contributed to society.
List of awareness ribbon colors and their meaning. Also see our calendar of awareness dates.
Blood Pressure Chart - What should your blood pressure be, and information on blood group types/compatibility.