Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) Programs

About the Disability Innovation Fund Programs

The Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) programs are administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Beginning with the fiscal year 2012 appropriation, Congress provided authority to use amounts that remained available following the reallotment of funds to States under Section 110(b)(2) of the Rehabilitation Act to conduct innovative activities aimed at improving outcomes for individuals with disabilities (“Disability Innovation Fund” or DIF). The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, authorized the Department to use up to 15 percent of fiscal year 2021 and fiscal year 2022 DIF funds for evaluation of, and technical assistance for, DIF activities. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, provided the same evaluation and technical assistance authority, while also allowing the Department to use DIF funds for Federal administrative expenses related to DIF, and for improving monitoring and oversight of grants for vocational rehabilitation services under title I of the Rehabilitation Act, including information technology modernization.

The Department funded a variety of DIF projects in prior years, including projects to: improve the education and employment outcomes of children receiving Supplemental Security Income and their families; ensure that individuals with disabilities can access web-based computer information with personalized accommodations at home, school, or the workplace; and develop work-based learning transition demonstrations for students with disabilities.

Below, select whether to view information about DIF programs coming soon (i.e., competition information and grants that have been awarded but are not currently active), current DIF programs or past DIF programs.

Open DIF Competition Information

 

There are currently no open DIF competitions.

Current DIF Programs

The following DIF programs are currently active. Select a DIF program below to learn more about the specific grants under that program.

Pathways to Partnerships Program

Assistance Listing Number 84.421E
Start Date: 10/01/2023, End Date: 09/30/2028

The purpose of the Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) Program, as provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Pub. L. 117-103), is to support innovative (as defined in FY 2023 Notice Inviting Applications ALN 84.421E) activities aimed at increasing competitive integrated employment (CIE) as defined in section 7 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act) (29 U.S.C. 705(5)), for youth and other individuals with disabilities.

The Pathways to Partnership innovative model demonstration project fosters collaborative partnerships between state vocational rehabilitation agencies, state and local educational agencies, and federally funded centers for independent living to help individuals with disabilities seamlessly transition to life after high school, preparing them for independent living, competitive integrated employment and community integration. In FY 2023, the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration awarded 20 model demonstration projects focused on improving economic self-sufficiency for children and youth with disabilities by creating systemic approaches to enhance post-school outcomes.

Grants Information:

• Description and Details – Detailed information on the purpose of the Pathways to Partnerships Demonstration grants.
• Grantee Information – A list of the Pathways to Partnerships grantees, as well as overviews of their grant project purposes and goals.

Change Agents:

Video about the Disability Innovation Fund, Pathways to Partnerships Innovative Model Demonstration Project (Pathways to Partnerships), Assistance Listing Number 84.421E. The video shares the history of the DIF program, goals of the Pathways to Partnerships project, and messages from key Federal change agents at the U.S. Department of Education and Administration for Community Living leadership about this exciting funding opportunity.

• Rehabilitation Services Administration
• State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies
• State and Local Educational Contacts
• Administration for Community Living

Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE) Program

Assistance Listing Number 84.421D
Start Date: 10/01/2022, End Date: 09/26/2027

The purpose of the DIF program, as provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Pub. L. 116-260), is to support innovative activities aimed at increasing competitive integrated employment (CIE) as defined in section 7 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act) (29 U.S.C. 705(5)), for youth and other individuals with disabilities.

The Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment program aims to increase CIE for youth and other individuals with disabilities currently employed in or considering subminimum wage employment. The goal is to increase the opportunity for students and youth with disabilities seeking subminimum wage employment and potential vocational rehabilitation (VR) program applicants or VR-eligible individuals with disabilities who are employed or contemplating employment at subminimum wage to obtain CIE. To achieve this purpose, projects funded will:

• Identify strategies for addressing challenges associated with access to CIE (e.g., transportation, support services);
• Provide integrated services that support CIE;
• Support integration into the community through CIE;
• Identify and coordinate wraparound services for any individual served by the project who obtains CIE;
• Develop evidence-based practices and share those practices with other entities holding 14(c) certificates, State VR agencies, local rehabilitation providers, State and local workforce agencies and regional and local employers; and
• Provide entities holding section 14(c) certificates with readily accessible transformative business models for adoption.

Grants Information:

• Description and Details – Detailed information on the purpose of the Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment grants.
• Grantee Information – A list of the Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment grantees, as well as overviews of their grant project purposes and goals.

Career Advancement Initiative Model Demonstration Program

Assistance Listing Number 84.421C
Start Date: 10/01/2021, End Date: 09/26/2026

The purpose of the DIF program, as provided by the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (Pub. L. 116-94), is to support innovative activities aimed at improving the outcomes of "individuals with disabilities," as defined in section 7(20)(A) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by title IV of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

The Career Advancement Initiative Model Demonstration program aims to identify and demonstrate evidence-based practices to help individuals with disabilities who are eligible for State vocational rehabilitation services to advance in high-demand, high-quality careers, such as science, technology, engineering, and math. To achieve this purpose, projects funded will help these individuals to:

• Enter career pathways in industry-driven sectors through pre-apprenticeships, registered apprenticeships, and the Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Program;
• Improve and maximize competitive integrated employment outcomes, economic self-sufficiency, independence, and inclusion in society; and
• Reduce reliance on public benefits like Supplemental Security Income/Social Security Disability Insurance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and State or local benefits.

Grants Information:

• Description and Details – Detailed information on the purpose of the Career Advancement Initiative Model Demonstration grants.
• Grantee Information – A list of the Career Advancement Initiative Model Demonstration grantees, as well as overviews of their grant project purposes and goals.

Project Resources:

• Accommodation Training Library – These brief, informational videos created by Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, PR Award Number H421C210018, cover topics specific to roles as an employer, employee, or job seeker. Topics include hiring people with disabilities, the reasonable accommodation process, disclosing a disability, disability discrimination, and other topics related to employment law.
• VRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Career Advancement DIF Grant - How MRC is Turning VR on its Head! – Podcast that discusses the DIF grant for Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, PR Award Number H421C210006, including lessons learned from the first year of the grant award, expected results for year two, and the success of their job certification program. Learn insights on using DIF grants to bring more innovation and creativity to VR.
• VRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Career Advancement DIF Grant - Oregon General is Taking on Tough Stuff and Seeing Results – Podcast that discusses how Oregon General’s grant, PR Award Number H421C210026, has tackled challenging cultural issues and shares initial results from their strategy for implementing the DIF grant through their Inclusive Career Advancement Program.
• VRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Celebrate the National Disability Awareness Month with a DIF Career Advancement Grant Discussion - The Trifecta Approach with Virginia DARS – Podcast that discusses the inception, execution, and adaptation of Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services’ (Virgina DARS) grant, PR Award Number H421C210015, with the goal of placing 750 individuals with disabilities into STEM and healthcare careers, registered apprenticeships, as well as positions within State, County, and City government roles. Explore the challenges they encountered and gain insights into their recommendations when applying for a DIF grant.

Past DIF Programs

The following DIF programs are closed. Select a DIF program below to learn more about the specific grants under that program.

Transition Work-Based Learning Model Demonstration Program

Assistance Listing Number 84.421B
Start Date: 10/01/2016, End Date: 09/26/2021

The purpose of the DIF program, as provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235), was to support innovative activities aimed at improving the outcomes of "individuals with disabilities," as defined in section 7(20)(A) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by title IV of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

The Transition Work-Based Learning Model Demonstration program aimed to identify and demonstrate evidence-based practices in providing work-based learning experiences in integrated settings under the State vocational rehabilitation program, in collaboration with State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and other key partners within the local community. The goal was to ensure students with disabilities were prepared for postsecondary education and competitive integrated employment.

Grants Information:

• Description, Details, and Grantees – Detailed information on the purpose of the Transition Work-Based Learning Model Demonstration grants, as well as a list of the grantees.
• RSA Virtual Series Transition Work-Based Learning – Results from five Transition Work-Based Learning Model Demonstration grants from California, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Vermont.

Evaluation Information:

• Evaluation of the Way2Work Maryland Model – Program evaluation of the Maryland Transition Work-Based Learning Model Demonstration project.
• Evaluation of the Transition Work Based Learning Model in Maine – Program evaluation of the Maine Transition Work-Based Learning Model Demonstration project.
• Evaluation of the Vermont Linking Learning to Careers Model – Program evaluation of the Vermont Transition Work-Based Learning Model Demonstration project.
• Evaluation of the Massachusetts Transition Pathways Services Project – Interim program evaluation summary of the Massachusetts Transition Work-Based Learning Model Demonstration project.
• Evaluation of California Career Innovations – Program evaluation summary and implementation activities of the California Transition Work-Based Learning Model Demonstration project.
• Measuring Fidelity of Four State Models for Expanding Work-Based Learning and Transition Opportunities – Implementation and results of the Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Vermont Transition Work-Based Learning Model Demonstration projects.

Automated Personalization Computing Project (APCP)

Assistance Listing Number 84.421A
Start Date: 10/01/2015, End Date: 09/26/2021

The purpose of the DIF program was to support innovative activities aimed at improving the outcomes of ‘‘individuals with disabilities,’’ as defined in section 7(20)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. The Automated Personalization Computing Project was designed to improve outcomes for individuals with disabilities by increasing access to information and communication technologies through automatic personalization of needed assistive technology.

Grant Information:

• Description and Details – Detailed information on the purpose and grantees of the Automated Personalization Computing project.
• Pre-Application Webinar for 84.421A Disability Innovation Fund - Automation Personalization Computing Project – Automated Personalization Computing Innovative Model Demonstration Grant-related materials that were given to perspective grantees prior to applying for the grants.
• RSA Virtual Series Automated Personalization Computer Project: Morphic – Results from the Automated Personalization Computing Innovative Model Demonstration Grant projects.

Morphic Resources:

Morphic is an accessibility shortcut for computers. Morphic accesses the accessibility features already built into computer operating systems and makes them easier for users to find. Morphic is available as a free Basic option or a customizable, subscription-based Plus option.

• Morphic Basic – Video overview of Morphic Basic.
• Morphic Plus – Video overview of Morphic Plus.
• Ensuring People Can Use Computers – Video on Morphic features and functions.
  • Morphic Follow-Up Question & Answer (Q&A) – Video Q&A session about Morphic features and functions.