MEAF Grants
Over the years MEAF has supported a variety of projects promoting community inclusion, productivity, and independence for young people with disabilities.
Grants have ranged from computer camps to adaptive toys, from robot academies to art lessons from training youth in digital storytelling to making volunteer projects fully accessible.
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...about MEAF grants.
Grant History
Below is a list of MEAF grants by the year they were first awarded.
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1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009
2009
Expanding Summer Learning Opportunities for ALL Children
National Inclusion Project/National Association for Summer Learning
(2009: $25,000; 2010: $15,000)
Supports a joint project between the National Association for Summer Learning and the National Inclusion Project to develop a summer learning curriculum to help summer camps fully include youth with disabilities.
Paul G. Hearne Leadership Awards
American Association of People with Disabilities
(2009: $10,000; 2010: $10,000; 2011: $10,000) Washington, DC
MEAF is proud to help sponsor the AAPD Paul G. Hearne Leadership Award to help find and support emerging leaders with disabilities, in memory of Paul Hearne, a disability leader.
2008
After-school Inclusive Math
Academy for Educational Development
(2008: $60,000; 2009: $40,000)
After-school Inclusive Math is a partnership between inclusive after-school programs and science/technology museums. The Education Equity Center at AED is developing a program model designed to give youth with and without disabilities unique opportunities to work together on real-world, inquiry-based math activities that meet the national math standards. Each math activity will have modifications that make it accessible for young people with a broad range of physical, sensory, cognitive, and social/emotional disabilities.
Congressional Internship Program
American Association of People with Disabilities
(2008: $93,000; 2009: $93,000; 2010: $98,000) Washington, DC
Internship program that brings college students with disabilities to work on Capitol Hill with a focus on technology, education, and disability policy.
Building Inclusive Opportunities
City Year
(2008: $10,000) Boston, MA
City Year is working to expand the organization’s inclusivity approach and scope to thoughtfully develop the knowledge base, systems and tools to more deliberately and successfully include youth with disabilities in the national corps.
Mentoring for Success
Disabled Sports USA
(2008: $35,000) Rockville, MD and sites nationwide
Mentoring for Success expands the Youth Sports Mentoring Program (part of the “Wounded Warrior” initiative funded by MEAF in 2006) in a more inclusive setting by forming community partnerships with the mainstream organization Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Include All Girls Initiative
Girl Scouts of the USA
Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital
(2008: $75,000; 2009: $75,000; 2010: $100,000 ) New York, NY, Washington, DC and locations nationwide
The Including All Girls Initiative seeks to make Girl Scouting more inviting and accessible to girls with disabilities throughout the United States. GSUSA will select a minimum of five Councils to model inclusive Scouting. Best practices will be developed and documented from these model programs over the next three years and shared with Councils throughout the country at a national training conference in year three.
Training & Technical Assistance to Support Inclusive Practices
Kids Included Together - San Diego, Inc.
(2008: $63,000; 2009: $72,000; 2010: $65,000) San Diego, CA
KIT will provide a blended-learning approach comprised of eLearning, hands-on training, conference workshops and print materials to 10 new affiliated organizations to enable them to create inclusive environments.
2007
Youth Included in Service
The Corps Network
(2007: $22,000; 2008: $70,000; 2009: $30,000)
The Corps Network is receiving support to develop an inclusive crew model, giving opportunities for youth with disabilities to engage in volunteer service activities and develop leadership skills. The objectives of the Youth Included in Service project are to: develop and replicate an inclusive crew model, have youth with and without disabilities work together to perform accessible service projects that benefit local communities, and strengthen the life skills and job skills of participants.
Interscholastic Unified Sports League
Special Olympics, Inc.
(2007: $5,000) Overland Park, KS
Special Olympics is funded to support the creation of an innovative pilot program called Interscholastic Unified Sports Leagues. The Interscholastic Unified Sports League concept brings together equal numbers of athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on teams to engage in inter-school league play. The concept was shared with 1,800 student leaders at the National Association of Student Councils Annual Conference.
2006
If I Can Do This, I Can Do Anything
Disabled Sports USA
(2006: $50,000) Rockville, MD and sites nationwide
Develops a unique mentoring system that will connect both youth and these young vets with disabilities through a number of sports and recreation venues, all pecifically adapted to help people with disabilities train, learn and compete with their non-isabled peers.
Inclusion Mentoring Partnership
Partners for Youth with Disabilities
(2006: $90,000; 2007: $86,000 ) Boston, MA
Creates a national inclusion mentoring movement through the provision of training and a national public awareness campaign that results in significantly increased participation of youth with disabilities in mentoring programs.
Enhancing Service to Youth with Disabilities
Boys and Girls Club of America
(2006: $46,000; 2007: $66,000) Atlanta, GA and locations nationwide
BGCA will partner with Kids Included Together to enhance the lessons learned from the Inclusion initiative through the implementation of a system wide organizational assessment survey, training of Boys & Girls Club personnel as trainers on the best practices of inclusion, the development of a training syllabus to assist trainers, and a revision of BGCA's existing document, Mainstreaming Matters to facilitate continual line staff development on the philosophy and implementation of inclusion.
Joining Hands to Implement Inclusive Opportunities for Boys & Girls Clubs
Kids Included Together - San Diego, Inc.
(2006: $50,000; 2007: $50,000) San Diego, CA
Serves to strengthen the positioning of the Boys & Girls Club Movement in the field of inclusive recreational and youth development activities for children of all abilities, ages 5-18. It is designed to enhance the lessons learned from the Inclusion initiative.
Paul G. Hearne Leadership Awards
American Association of People with Disabilities
(2006: $10,000; 2007: $10,000; 2008: $10,000) Washington, DC
MEAF is proud to help sponsor the AAPD Paul G. Hearne Leadership Award to help find and support emerging leaders with disabilities, in memory of Paul Hearne, a disability leader.
Project SEARCH
Children's Hospital Medical Center
(2006: $19,000; 2007: $31,000; 2008: $10,000) Cincinnati, OH and sites nationwide
Support in the development and dissemination of a training program, using handheld computers, aimed at increasing the independence and employment of youth with cognitive disabilities.
2005
Congressional Internship Program
American Association of People with Disabilities
(2005: $72,000; 2006: $74,000; 2007: $76,000) Washington, DC
Internship program that brings college students with disabilities to work on Capitol Hill with a focus on technology, education, and disability policy.
2004
access/ABILITY
Boston Children's Museum
(2004: $50,000) Boston, MA
An interactive exhibit on disability aimed at dispelling the fear and misunderstanding surrounding disabilities . Featuring people living with disabilities engaged in everyday activities that are familiar to children.
Beyond Special Populations
Wilderness Inquiry
(2004: $50,000; 2005: $33,000; 2006: $82,000) Minneapolis, MN
Improving the Integration of Youth with Disabilities in Boy Scouting and Girl Scouting Organizations.
Building Community Inclusion
National 4-H Council
(2004: $145,000; 2005: $55,000) Chevy Chase, MD and locations nationwide
As a "Beyond Participation" partner, the National 4-H Council will implement community awareness activities and youth-adult partnership initiatives, bringing together youth and adults with and without disabilities in governance roles.
Full Participation in Recreation and Sports
Easter Seals
(2004: $44,000; 2005: $45,000; 2006: $31,000; 2007: $30,000) Washington, DC
Leverages more than 60 years of Easter Seals' camping and recreation experience to help community-based recreation providers reach out to and substantively involve young people with disabilities.
Serving Youth with Disabilities through Education and Outreach
Boys and Girls Club of America
(2004: $54,000; 2005: $47,000) Atlanta, GA and locations nationwide
As a "Beyond Participation" partner, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America will pilot a program providing disability awareness, staff training and outreach to kids with disabilities.
Using Distance Learning to Provide Inclusive Environmental Education
National Wildlife Federation
(2004: $60,000; 2005: $40,000) Chevy Chase, MD and locations nationwide
As a "Beyond Participation" partner, the National Wildlife Federation will disseminate its inclusive environmental education/teacher training program over the Internet.
2003
Beyond Participation
Easter Seals (originally with Half-the-Planet)
(2003: $40,000; 2004: $60,000; 2005: $45,000, 2006: $20,000) Washington, DC
Increasing Inclusion of Young Persons with Disabilities in Community Youth Organizations.
Creative Music Educators Program
Manhatten New Music Project
(2003: $35,000; 2004: $12,500; 2005: $12,500) New York, NY
Building the capabilities and self-esteem of children with a range of disabilities through artistic expression.
Helping Helpers
WETA/LD Online
(2003: $25,000; 2004: $15,000; 2005: $15,000) Washington, DC
A national outreach campaign that provides introduction to learning disabilities for volunteers.
Mentoring Program
Computer Technologies Program
(2003: $50,000; 2004: $50,000) Berkeley, CA
Mentoring program matches youth with disabilities with information-technology professionals with disabilities, focusing on careers in the IT field.
Partners On-Line
Partners for Youth with Disabilities
(2003: $50,000; 2004: $50,000) Boston, MA
Support toward the development and dissemination of Partners On-Line, a nationwide computer-based mentoring program.
Project SEARCH
Children's Hospital Medical Center
(2003; 2004: $40,000; 2005: $30,000) Cincinnati, OH and sites nationwide
Support in the development and dissemination of a training program, using handheld computers, aimed at increasing the independence and employment of youth with cognitive disabilities.
TechBridge
Chabot Space and Science Center
(2003: $25,000; 2004: $15,000; 2005: $15,000) Oakland, CA
In 2001, Chabot Space and Science Center created the Techbridge program to help girls with visual impairments learn about the world of technology. MEAF support will help pilot an intensive career exploration component and expand the program to include boys with visual impairments.
Tech Mentoring Coast to Coast Collaborative
Computer Technologies Program & Partners for Youth with Disabilities
(2003: $8,000 ; 2004: $6,000) Berkeley, CA and Boston, MA
Capacity-building grant enabling the two organizations to leverage their resources and expand their geographic impact by collaborating on their respective mentoring programs.
2002
Congressional Internship Program
American Association of People with Disabilities
(2002: $40,000; 2003: $42,000; 2004: $40,000) Washington, DC
Internship program that brings college students with disabilities to work on Capitol Hill with a focus on technology, education, and disability policy.
Universal Learning Center
Center for Applied Special Technology
(2002: $20,000) Peabody, MA
A pilot program which provides digital curriculum materials to teachers and parents of students with disabilities.
2001
HiP Chat Pals 2
Hearing Impaired Press
(2001: $40,000; 2002: $40,000) Alameda, CA and selected school sites nationwide
An Internet "chat" program for deaf and hard-of-hearing children designed to improve reading and writing skills for students nationwide.
Digital Talking Books
Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic
(2001: $25,000; 2002: $25,000) Princeton, NJ and sites nationwide
This multiyear project is to research, design, test and distribute audio books in digital CD-ROM format.
MAGpie
WGBH/NCAM
(2001: $25,000) Boston, MA
Development of an authoring tool which makes printed, audio and video content of distance learning materials accessible to students with disabilities.
Pitt Crew Robot Project
TECH-LINK
(2001: $35,000; 2002: $25,000; 2003: $20,000) Pittsburgh, PA
Program trains teams of students with and without disabilities to design and build robots while increasing their high level technology skills.
2000
Accessibility Internet Rally
Knowbility
(2000: $25,000; 2001: $25,000; 2002: $25,000; 2003: $10,000) Austin, TX; sites in Boulder, CO and Dallas, TX
Project brings together information technology trainers, web designers and people with disabilities to develop accessible websites for nonprofits.
Biotechnology Works
University of Southern Maine
(2000: $30,000; 2001: $20,000) Gorham, ME and New England area
Summer program that supports students with disabilities in the study of immunology and genetics will now provide year-round ongoing electronic mentoring and networking, offer an online virtual resource center and host student participant reunions.
Paul Hearne Leadership Awards
American Association of People with Disabilities
(2000: $10,000; 2001: $10,000; 2002: $10,000; 2003: $10,000; 2004: $10,000; $2005: $10,000) Washington, DC
Helped sponsor award program for emerging young leaders established in memory of Paul Hearne, a disability leader.
TecEds
Gallaudet University
(2000: $50,000; 2001: $50,000; 2002: $20,000; 2003: $25,000) Washington, DC
A program to train and support K-12 teachers of deaf and hard-of-hearing students and to support a center for teaching and learning technologies.
Starfish Troops
Girl Scouts of the Nation's Capital
(2000: $57,500; 2001: $21,250; 2002: $21,250; 2003: $25,000) Washington DC and sites nationwide
Girl Scouts of Orange County
(2003: $20,000) Orange County, CA
Scouting to children in hospitals, rehabilitation centers and long-term care facilities with an emphasis on math, science and technology.
1999
Bobby Accessibility Project
Center for Applied Special Technology
(1999: $50,000; 2000: $50,000; 2001: $30,000)Peabody, MA
"Bobby" is a free Internet service that evaluates web sites for accessibility and provides technical assistance to improve accessibility.
Bug Free Picnic
Gifts in Kind
(1999: $5,000) Sites throughout the country
A national technology transition project for nonprofit organizations to strategically plan and prepare for the year 2000.
DO-IT
University of Washington
(1999: $30,000; 2000: $30,000) Seattle, WA
Production of an accessible video and publication entitled "Lessons Learned," detailing successful transitions from school to work by students with disabilities.
International VSA Festival
Very Special Arts
(1999: $10,000) Los Angeles, CA
A showcase for arts technology which was presented at the International Very Special Arts Festival, May 1999, in Los Angeles.
National Leadership Conference for Youth with Disabilities
National Council on Disabilities
(1999: $8,500) Washington, DC
Helped sponsor first ever leadership conference for youth with disabilities and sent several youth nominated by company representatives and grantee organizations.
National Toy Adaptation Centers
National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation
(1999: $40,000; 2000: $20,000) Anchorage, AK; Columbus, OH; Conyers, GA; Frederick, MD; Houston, TX; Pittsburgh, PA; Portland, OR; San Francisco, CA; Scranton, PA; Virginia Beach, VA; Wilkes-Barre, PA
Piloted in 10 communities across the country, the Centers provide children with disabilities with toys adapted to their individual needs.
SABAH Stars
Skating Association for the Blind and Handicapped
(1999: $39,000; 2000: $20,000; 2001:$10,000) Buffalo, NY
A program to provide mentoring matches between older and younger children with disabilities as well as adaptive ice skating equipment.
Physics Interactive Video Training
WGBH
(1999: $50,000; 2000: $50,000) Boston, MA
WGBH, in partnership with M.I.T., is developing the first fully accessible distance learning module and accessibility guidelines for other multimedia curriculum products.
Student Internship Project
American Foundation for the Blind
(1999: $33,000; 2000: $33,000; 2001: $30,000; 2002: $25,000) Chicago, IL; New York, NY; Atlanta, GA; San Francisco, CA
Project places blind or visually impaired high school students as interns in AFB's Product Evaluation Laboratory.
The Internet: An Inclusive Magnet for Teaching All Students
World Institute on Disability
(1999: $35,000; 2000: $20,000) Berkeley, CA; Boston, MA
An interactive training model for teachers to improve their ability to help students with disabilities use the Internet in inclusive classrooms.
Tools for Tykes
Tetra Society of North America
(1999: $36,000) Anchorage, AK; Apollo Beach, FL; Appleton, WI; Ballwin, MO; Bellview, FL; Chicago, IL; Chico, CA; Columbus, OH; Eugene, OR; Houston, TX; Miami, FL; Miami Beach, FL; New York, NY; Niwot, CO; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, OR; Poughkeepsie, NY; Redmond, WA; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; Seattle, WA; Southampton, PA; Springfield, MO; St. Louis, MO; Tamarac, FL
A program to mobilize volunteer engineers and rehabilitation specialists to design individualized adaptive equipment for children with disabilities.
Women and Disability Conference
Women & Philanthropy
(1999: $5,000) Oakland, CA
Supported conference on women and disability; sessions on technology to achieve equal access information were included
1998
Alphabet City
The Neighborhood School
(1998: $20,000)New York, NY
A community service project through which elementary school children with and without disabilities used multimedia technology to create Web-based maps of their New York City neighborhood and a resource guide for local nonprofit organizations.
Digitally-Abled Producers Project
Digital Clubhouse Network
(1998: $70,000; 1999: $75,000; 2000: $70,000; 2001: $25,000; 2002: $15,000) Silicon Alley, NY; Silicon Valley, CA
A pilot program to enhance job readiness and self esteem among youth with disabilities by helping them develop multimedia skills such as digital storytelling.
National Youth Service Day
Youth Service America
(1998: $5,000; 1999: $10,000; 2000: $5,000; 2001: $5,000) Washington, DC and sites throughout the U. S.
Provides funds to create inclusive service projects around the country for National Youth Service Day.
Virtual Volunteering
Impact Online
(1998: $20,000; 1999: $25,000) Austin, TX
A national program to develop virtual volunteer opportunities to benefit and involve young people with disabilities and the organizations that serve them.
1997
CompuClub
National Lekotek Center
(1997: $20,000) Evanston, IL
An after-school program for children with and without disabilities offering computer-based educational activities.
1995
artsJAM Gallery
Washington Very Special Arts
(1995: $20,000; 1996: $20,000; 1997: $20,000; 1998: $20,000) Washington, DC
A model art gallery providing employment training and placement services to young people with disabilities, with participation of local employers.
Family Village
Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin
(1995: $50,000; 1997: $20,000; 1998: $15,000; 1999: $10,000) Madison, WI
A global community on the Internet for families of persons who have disabilities.
Opportunities for Children with Disabilities: Art-making and Assistive Devices
Institute on Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago
(1995: $44,159; 1996: $39,472) Chicago, IL
A model school-based arts therapy program enabling children with physical disabilities to participate in arts classes through the use of assistive technology.
Paralympic Youth and Education Program
1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games Organizing Committee
(1995: $30,000) Atlanta, GA
A model project to develop disability awareness programs in public schools and community-based organizations in order to facilitate the community inclusion of young people with disabilities.
"Working Together" Employer Disability Awareness Training
National Technical Institute for the Deaf, Rochester Institute of Technology
(1995: $8,300; 1996: $8,700; 1997: $7,800) Rochester, NY; Cypress, CA; Warrendale, PA; Mason, OH; Braselton, GA
Assistive technology to facilitate employment opportunities for young people with hearing impairments; training sessions for prospective employers over three years.
1994
Compuplay Summer Camp
National Lekotek Center
(1994: $18,000; 1995: $25,000) Evanston, IL
An integrated summer camp program for children ages 4-12 offering computer skills trained through educational and recreational activities.
Integrating Youth with Disabilities into the Youth Volunteer Corps
Youth Volunteer Corps of America
(1994: $20,000; 1995: $20,500) Boston, MA; Detroit, MI; Ann Arbor, MI; Seattle, WA; Tucson, AZ
A model project to provide training and skills development for youth with disabilities through community service work and to make community service projects accessible to people with disabilities.
Let's Learn Shapes with Shapely-Cal
Creative Adaptations for Learning
(1994-1996: $25,000) Great Neck, NY
Production and national dissemination of a unique interactive workbook designed for children who are blind or visually impaired.
Mitsubishi Electric America Scholars Program
Graduate School of Public Policy, University of California at Berkeley
(1994: $27,000; 1995: $32,400; 1996: $21,600) Berkeley, CA
A summer institute in public policy and international affairs to prepare gifted college students with disabilities for careers in public policy.
Project Link: Independence to Employment
Delaware Valley Project with Industry
(1994-1996: $10,000) Southwestern PA/Southeastern NJ communities
A program offering competitive summer internships for college students with disabilities.
1993
Job Start
National Council on the Aging
(1993: $20,000) Des Moines, IA
A mentor program pairing young people with disabilities with older volunteers for job-readiness activities.
Orange County (FL) Outreach Project
Valencia Community College Foundation
(1993: $23,000) Orlando, FL
A project to facilitate the recruitment of minority students with disabilities to computer programming and computer assisted design training programs.
Team Work
Foundation for Exceptional Children
(1993: $42,000) Norcross, GA; Santa Ana, CA; Irving, TX; Mason, OH
A mentoring program pairing corporate volunteers with young adults with disabilities to assist in the transition from school and home to employment and independence.
Tech Tots
United Cerebral Palsy Association
(1993: $45,000; 1994: $45,000; 1996: $45,000) Syracuse, NY; Hauppage, NY; Roosevelt, NY; Harris, NY; Kingston, NY; Utica, NY; Orlando, FL; Cincinnati, OH; Austin, TX; Salt Lake City, UT; Boise, ID; Terre Haute, IN; Modesto, CA; San Diego, CA; Santa Ana, CA; Tulsa, OK; Oklahoma City, OK; New York, NY; Chattanooga, TN; Washington, DC; Pittsburgh, PA; Eau Claire, WI; Lincoln, NE; Atlanta, GA; Watertown, MA
Technology lending libraries to educate families with children with disabilities on the use of technology.
1992
A Volunteer Community for Everyone, Training and Research Institute for People with Disabilities
Boston Children's Hospital
(1992: $40,000) Waltham, MA
A program to train young people with disabilities to serve as volunteers, rather than being the object of volunteer efforts by others.
Accessing Technology in Our Neighborhoods (A.C.T.I.O.N.)
Foundation for Technology Access
(1992: $10,000) Charlotte, NC
A model program to train young people with disabilities and their families in the use of assistive technology.
Equal Access
Boston Public Schools, Special Education Technology Resource Center at Emmanuel College, Center for Applied Special Technology
(1992: $30,000; 1993: $18,000; 1994: $20,000) Boston, MA
A model program promoting the inclusion of children with disabilities in regular school classes.
Project Young Exceptional Scholars (Y.E.S.)
The Foundation on Employment and Disability, Inc.
(1992: $6,000) Los Angeles, CA
An academic enrichment project aimed at gifted students with disabilities who are interested in careers in the sciences.
Partners for Youth with Disabilities
(1992: $25,000; 1993: $39,375; 1995: $25,000) Boston, MA; St. Cloud, MN; Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN; Silver Spring, MD; San Diego, CA
A program assisting young people in developing their social and vocational skills by arranging one-to-one mentorships between youth and adults with similar disabilities.
Tech Link
A High School/High Tech Project
(1992: $15,000; 1993: $27,500; 1994: $17,234) Pittsburgh, PA; Harrisburg, PA
A community-based project to attract students with disabilities to careers in math, science, and high-tech industry.
Transitions to Independence
Access Living
(1992: $36,000) Chicago, IL
An independent living skills curriculum to help community college students build skills for independence, academic excellence, and job readiness.
Yes I Can, Institute on Community Integration
University of Minnesota at Minneapolis
(1992: $44,000; 1993: $30,000; 1995: $49,986; 1996; 1997: $47,978) Willmar, MN; St. Cloud, MN; Eden Prairie, MN; Bloomington, MN; Roseville, MN; Milaca, MN; Cypress, CA; Azuza, CA; Snellville, CA; Oxford, MA; Delaware, OH; Mason, OH; Northglenn, CO; Longmont, CO
A youth service program aiming to enhance the self-determination skills, community inclusion and overall quality of life of junior and senior high school students with and without developmental disabilities.
1991
Bridges...From School to Work
Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities
(1991: $101,475, 1993: $50,000) Washington, DC
A school-to-work transition program of supported internships at local businesses for high school seniors with disabilities.
1560 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 1150
Arlington, VA 22209