AbleLight

AbleLight will expand communication access for adults with developmental disabilities (DD) by providing iPads equipped with adaptive communication software and training to help individuals who are non-verbal express themselves, connect with others, and participate fully in daily life.

Assistance League of Greater San Diego

Support for the Loaner Hearing Aid Program; which will provide very low-income students short-term hearing aids until they receive state funded long-term hearing aids.

The Arc of Amador and Calaveras

Workforce Development (Rural) Adults with I/DD Project includes Career Exploration; Job Readiness, Direct Employment Services, and wrap-around services including transportation assistance and mobility training, work attire and equipment support, peer support, assistance with technology, etc.

Autism Tree

Establish a permanent AAC Lending Library that provides participants with immediate, no-cost access to devices. 15 robust AAC systems will allow individuals to lend devices to participants on demand, bypassing the typical 6–12 month insurance approval delays that disproportionately impact low-income families.

Blissful Seeds

Entrepreneurial and business program that focuses on planning, skills development, mentorship, hands-on experience, and community building. 10 individuals will go thru training, mentorship, create their own products and web/marketing work; ending with selling their products at the store and farmers markets.

California Policy Center for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

CPCIDD will work with Inclusion Films to produce a feature length film using the workshop model to document the experience of 10 -12 film workshop participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in developing and supporting their employment goals. In addition to the workshop participants and RISE UP students, approximately 70% of the film crew will also be individuals with IDD. The film will include experiences of the workshop participants, RISE UP students and lessons learned from previous employment projects funded by Ability Central. We will host an Employment Symposium that will, in part, showcase the RISE UP Retail Fundamentals Program and the experiences of the 6 cohorts (54 individuals) of students/job seekers with a range of disabilities who complete the curriculum. A final report on the RISE UP Project and the film will be presented at the Employment Symposium and shared with DOR, DDS, Regional Center, State Council on Development Disabilities, and other stakeholders in the IDD community.

Center for Accessible Technology

Will provide free assistive technology consultations, assessments, training and support services to low-income children, including Assistive Technology Lab and resource hours.

Center for Independent Living

Codestars and Digital Equity Ambassador program will leverage a new accessible computer lab, expand digital and technology training series, integrate Salesforce-supported digital training and certification opportunities, and increase paid, peer-led experiences that advance digital inclusion and employment for people with disabilities.

Exceptional Parents Unlimited

Program to enhance its service delivery model by integrating low-tech communication boards, AAC strategies and use Tech, and family coaching to increase communication access for infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities in Fresno and Merced Counties.

Howard Prep

(Rural) Adults with I/DD Updated computer resource center, complete with communication-based assistive technology, to help our program participants access resources that support their full integration into everyday life.

KidPower

Develop and provide video lessons and training modules for employers for hiring and managing employees who have disabilities or are neurodivergent or Deaf/Hard of Hearing. Provide support and services for vocational programs in public school transition programs, College to Career programs, and agencies focused on workforce engagement for adults of all ages with disabilities.

Leonardo

Art-and-technology program that centers disability innovation by empowering disabled artists to “crip” technology–leading the development of creative digital innovation and accessible media communication practices through the lens of their unique lived experience and expertise.

Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health on behalf of the Stanford Chariot Program

Evaluate the use of immersive, extended technologies and assistive technologies (XR) (including spatial computing and virtual reality (VR)) as exposure therapy for children and adolescents with needle and blood-injection-injury (BII) phobias who have Autism Spectrum Disorder or who are neurodivergent.

Make Good

Expand equitable access to a range of assistive technologies in California, including 3D printed mobility devices for individuals with disabilities and handheld devices tailored for various dexterity issues to enhance independence, communication, and community participation. Education about assistive technology design and fabrication.

Mychal's Learning Place

Expand its Workforce Development program to provide training, assistive technology, and hands-on employment pathways for youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), equipping them with both hard and soft skills needed for long-term workplace success

Noah Homes

This project will include workshops on photography, videography, editing, as well as the creation of a more robust, person-centered social media presence, helping 90 full-time residents with I/DD, including those with complex communication challenges (i.e., nonverbal), improve their public speaking skills, gain confidence, and advocate for their art and their passions.

Northeastern University Silicone Valley

The Future of Inclusive Media Advance a universal design–driven, AI-assisted ecosystem that enables blind and low-vision (BLV) users and sighted volunteers to collaboratively create, personalize, and evaluate high-quality audio descriptions.

Pacific Hearing Connection

Provide in-person and online education, training materials, and hearing screenings to those in the community who work directly with the under-served, under-insured, or "forgotten middle" population affected by hearing loss.

Paige's Pantry

Paige’s Pantry, The Place, aims to enhance the quality of life for adults with developmental disabilities through purposeful social interactions and skill building activities focused on communication, problem solving and time management, fostering a vibrant and inclusive community. Our organization addresses this need by offering a safe and engaging space for adults aged 18 and older to participate in fun activities, fostering connections and community engagement through games, fitness, outings, volunteering and more.

Path Point

(Rural) PathPoint’s project will deploy advanced remote support tools to individuals with I/DD in our Community Living, Community Integration, and Employment Services to foster greater independence and self-confidence, ultimately reducing long-term reliance on staff, family, and higher levels of care.

PGA Southern California Section

Provide ongoing support and instruction to disabled Veterans through the game of golf, to improve their accessibility and their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being with support of adaptive cart and assistive technology (includes training programs).

The Shine Project Foundation

The Food to Grow Initiative is an inclusive regenerative agricultural and nutritional education and workforce development program that empowers individuals with disabilities through hands-on farm camps, structured internships, inclusive training, accessible digital tools, and strong community partnerships that support special needs families.

Steadfast Foster Adoptive and Kinship Support

Expand education workshops and growth groups that equip foster, adoptive, and kinship families with communication tools, peer mentorship, and disability-informed strategies to improve long-term outcomes for youth and caregivers.