{"id":3973,"date":"2023-01-31T08:49:09","date_gmt":"2023-01-31T08:49:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alsoweb.org\/?p=3973"},"modified":"2023-12-29T19:46:26","modified_gmt":"2023-12-29T19:46:26","slug":"what-to-know-about-home-accessibility-grants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alsoweb.org\/nonprofit-blog\/what-to-know-about-home-accessibility-grants\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Know About Home Accessibility Grants"},"content":{"rendered":"

What to Know About Home Accessibility Grants<\/h1>\n

What is a Home Accessibility Grant?<\/h2>\n

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A home accessibility grant is a sum of money or services provided to an individual or an organization for the purpose of making the home environment safer and more accessible. Grants are different from loans in that they don’t have to be repaid. They are also called home modification grants, home repair grants, environmental modifications, and environmental safety modification grants.<\/p>\n

Home modification grants are extremely beneficial to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities because the resulting accessibility improvements allow them to live safely and independently in their own homes. Independent living is a major step towards full community inclusion…and at ALSO, this is exactly<\/em> what we’re about. In our 25 years of Heart Work as one of Oregon’s best nonprofit disability service providers, we have seen how home accessibility modifications have facilitated amazing transformations in the lives of people with disabilities.<\/p>\n

Let’s talk about how we can work together to help our friends and loved ones in achieving the dream of living on their own.<\/em><\/p>\n

What do Home Accessibility Grants Cover?<\/h2>\n

Home modification grants provide financial assistance to individuals and\/or their family members for a wide variety of home improvements. We may have all heard about wheelchair ramps and grab bars, but there are many other assistive technologies that (depending on grant program requirements) may qualify as accessibility improvements:<\/p>\n

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  1. Roll-in showers<\/li>\n
  2. Stair lifts<\/li>\n
  3. Widening of hallways and doorways<\/li>\n
  4. Adjusting the height of countertops and sinks<\/li>\n
  5. Easy-to-reach outlets and light switches<\/li>\n
  6. Installation of climate control systems<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Thanks to research and\u00a0an innovative spirit,\u00a0designers, engineers, and other professionals are continuously developing new ways of assisting all people with disabilities to function in the least restrictive environment possible.<\/p>\n

    Not all grants are the same. Some apply only to\u00a0modifications that are located inside the home. Although most organizations would likely cover the ramps or railing necessary to get inside, they might not cover something like access to a patio or gardening area. Additionally, some may include structural alterations such as widening hallways and doorways, but not home repair of those modifications that have already been made.<\/p>\n

    CHECK IT OUT: Take a look at these amazing accessibility modifications in Sam’s Home Tour!<\/a><\/p>\n

    How Do I Know if I am Eligible for a Home Accessibility Grant?<\/h2>\n

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    All home improvement grants have specific eligibility criteria. For many people, including experienced grant writers, determining these criteria can be quite a complex task. Indeed, it can be frustrating to toil\u00a0through a complex application process, discovering in the end that you\u00a0weren’t eligible in the first place. As you proceed through your grant search, we suggest that you ask yourself the following questions:<\/p>\n

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    1. Are grant awards available for individuals throughout the United States? Or just certain cities, states, or regions of the country?<\/li>\n
    2. Do grant recipients need to have a specific type of disability? Such as an intellectual or developmental disability, or acquired brain injury?<\/li>\n
    3. What about requirements for specific types of employment or vocations? Many grants are available for eligible veterans and service members, such as specially adapted housing (SAH grants).<\/li>\n
    4. Is there an income limit? Most eligibility criteria for home modification grants specify a certain household income. Some require the recipients to be low-income homeowners (as opposed to renters or those living with guardians or family members).<\/li>\n
    5. Any age requirements? There are a multitude of grants available for elders and senior citizens.<\/li>\n
    6. Does the type of geographical area matter? For example, some organizations provide grant awards specifically to those living in rural areas.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      In figuring out if you meet grant eligibility criteria, you don’t need to go it alone. Most grant making organizations welcome questions. Additionally, feel free to contact ALSO. We’d be happy to help in any way we can\u2014email info@ALSOweb.org or call 503-489-6565.<\/p>\n

      How Do I Apply for Disability Grants for Home Modifications?<\/h2>\n

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      Start at the Beginning<\/h3>\n

      Admittedly, it’s tempting to jump immediately into filling out several\u00a0grant applications as soon as possible. We suggest first taking time to gain an understanding of what’s needed.<\/p>\n

      If you’re\u00a0a person with an intellectual or developmental disability, we suggest that you make a list of activities and\u00a0tasks that will help you become more independent and safe\u00a0at home.\u00a0Consider things that are important to you, such as being able to cook your own meals. It’s always okay to get advice from others. They probably have a lot of great ideas!<\/p>\n

      For those who belong to the person’s support system, it’s extremely important to ask questions about the type of accessibility modifications they might need. After all, they know themselves best! In addition, professional caregivers, case managers, and healthcare providers have specific knowledge of neurological, behavioral, cognitive, and physical disabilities. They often have excellent insight into the best assistive devices, structural alterations, and technologies.<\/p>\n

      CHECK IT OUT: Home Accessibility Solutions for People with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities<\/a><\/p>\n

      Filling Out the Grant Application<\/h3>\n

      Most organizations require an application. At first glance, the application can look daunting, especially for some of the larger foundations. Just take the process step-by-step and ask questions along the way. You’ll get there!<\/p>\n

      There’s often a great deal of additional information that must be attached to the application. For example:<\/p>\n