Deadline: 14-Feb-22
The ACT Government is pleased to launch Disability Inclusion Grants (DIGs) to provide funding for local clubs, groups, community organisations and small business to promote social inclusion for people with disability through the removal of barriers to participation.
Aims
- The ACT Government is pleased to announce the opportunity for community groups, organisations and small businesses to apply for financial support, in the form of a one-off grant, to enable the organisation to become more inclusive and accessible to people with disability.
- The Disability Inclusion Grant program (the Grants) will provide increased opportunities for people with disability to participate in mainstream community and or social groups.
- Proposals will be considered that address attitudinal, communication, and physical barriers to access and inclusion. Small grants will be made available to enable groups to become more inclusive, with grants considered for activities and initiatives including but not limited to training, awareness raising and related materials, assistive technology and infrastructure modifications.
- The Office for Disability is particularly interested in grant proposals that address a need identified by people with disability and that have a broad and deep impact on directly improving the inclusion of people with disability in the ACT community.
Purpose
- Projects, activities or initiatives must demonstrate how they will address barriers to access and inclusion for people with disability that will allow for and enable their greater participation in community life.
- Proposals will be considered which address physical, attitudinal and/or communication barriers. Proposals that demonstrate a broad and deep impact on improving the inclusion of people with disability will be looked upon favourably.
- Examples of proposals that may be considered (but are not limited to) include:
- assistance to develop a Disability Action and Inclusion Plan;
- targeted or general disability awareness training for volunteers, members and/or the public;
- converting brochures and reports to accessible formats such as Easy English or Braille;
- developing attitudinal awareness-raising resources;
- purchase of assistive technologies such as hearing loops and height adjustable equipment;
- physical modifications such as accessible bathroom upgrades or wheelchair ramp installations;
- wayfinding improvements such as Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSIs) and signage;
- training staff in Auslan;
- installing automatic doors.
- This is not an exhaustive list.
- The panel is interested in innovative, creative, and sustainable approaches to increasing the inclusion of people with disability.
- Of particular interest are activities that reflect engagement with people with disability and their supporters and that impact upon as many people as possible, and so greater emphasis will be placed on projects which will result in meaningful improvements with a broad reach benefiting many people with disability in the ACT community.
Funding Information
- Total funding of $100,000.00 (GST exclusive) is available for this grant round.
- Community organisations and small businesses may apply for a grant of any amount up to $20,000.00 (GST exclusive) to be used for a project or initiative in the 2021-22 financial year. The grant may cover the cost of the project in full or in part.
- Grants are one-off for the activities or initiatives specified and are not intended as a recurring funding source.
Eligibility Criteria
- In order to encourage the best possible ideas and opportunities for greater inclusion of people with disability in the community, the grants will be open to the following:
- community groups;
- not-for-profit organisations; and
- small businesses – this may include local supermarkets, childcare centres, private dentist practices etc.
Please note: large businesses and any ACT or Commonwealth Government agency are not eligible
- to apply for the Grants. This includes ACT Government schools, though Parents and Citizens Associations are welcome to apply.
- Only organisations or groups that meet all the following eligibility requirements may apply:
- be a non-government incorporated entity that is not-for-profit or a small business (one that has less than 20 employees)1;
- have no overdue reporting obligations for any previous ACT Government grant round, including evaluations, acquittal reports and audited financial statements;
- undertaking a project or activity that will be located primarily in the ACT and primarily for the benefit of ACT residents; and
- have not received funding from another ACT Government source to deliver or provide the same or similar project/activity. It is acceptable to apply for funding to contribute to a larger project which is supported by philanthropic/charitable donations or Commonwealth Government funding.
- Organisations that are not incorporated must be auspiced by an incorporated entity with an Australian Business Number (ABN).
- Only one (1) application per eligible organisation is allowed.
Obligations of Auspicing Body
- The Auspicing Body will:
- be the applicant for this grant funding and if successful, enter into the contract directly with the Community Services Directorate for the receipt of grant funding and comply with all grant funding contractual obligations, including the provision of progress reports, final reports and financial acquittal documentation.
- be the entity that will accept the grant funding for the project and administer the funding in accordance with the Grant Guidelines and Deed of Grant.
- disburse grant funding to the Auspiced Party in accordance with the Grant Guidelines and Deed of Grant, and not unreasonably withhold funding from the Auspiced Party for the implementation of the project.
- If you do not comply with the above eligibility requirements, your application will not be assessed for funding.
For more information, visit https://www.communityservices.act.gov.au/disability_act/recipients#1431618-01