ACL's National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) is announcing a new funding opportunity for the Field-Initiated Projects (FIP) Program for minority-serving institutions.

Earlier today, the U.S. Department of Education's (ED) Office of Educational Technology and the Office of Special Education Programs released a comprehensive guidance package designed to increase understanding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act’s (IDEA’s) assistive technology (AT) requirements, dispel common misconceptions regarding AT, and provide examples of the use of AT devices and services for children with disabilities, as well as to highlight the different AT requirements under Part C and Part B of IDEA.

Every year, ACL leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month (OAM) in May. The theme for 2024 is Powered by Connection, which recognizes the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being. We will explore the vital role that connectedness plays in supporting independence and aging in place by combatting isolation, loneliness, and other issues.

The RERC on Rehabilitation Strategies, Techniques, and Interventions will conduct research, develop, and do other related activities that lead to rehabilitation practices and services that improve the health — and the physical, cognitive, sensory, or communication abilities — of people with a wide range of disabilities, especially those with the greatest support needs. Rehabilitation engineering in this area should result in new or improved products, devices, and technological advances that enhance rehabilitation services in clinical or community settings.

ACL's National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) is announcing a new funding opportunity for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.

This call will be an informal space to network, share experiences, and learn from others. Sample discussion topics will include intergenerational program partners, strategies to identify and reach possible participants, and more.

The expansion of public access requirements, as listed in this plan, will be incorporated into a new ACL Public Access Policy. The new policy will be released by December 31, 2024, and implemented by December 31, 2025. Until the new policy is in place, ACL will continue to follow the current Public Access Plan.

The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), a federal advisory committee that coordinates federal efforts and provides advice to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on issues related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is seeking public comments to assist the committee in identifying priorities related to physical health, mental health, and other related conditions that commonly co-occur with autism.

AmeriCorps and ACL have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate development of collaborative activities to help modernize the way public and private nonprofit organizations utilize volunteers — especially older adults and people with disabilities.

The ACL-funded Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network, the nation’s first federally funded technical assistance center for those who serve grandparents and other kin caregivers and the children they raise, has announced an opportunity for states, territories, and/or large counties to apply to work with the nation’s leading experts on kinship families.