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.

New and Notable
Watch the Pathways to Partnerships Innovative Model Demonstration Project Announcement Video from leadership
at the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), and Administration for Community Living (ACL).

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

 

Note:
Information for open DIF program discretionary grant competitions is located on the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Discretionary Grant Information page and includes details such as pre-application meeting details Federal Register notices inviting applications.

 

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.

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:

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.

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:

Evaluation Information:

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:

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.

 

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