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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

In this webinar, panelists will discuss how communities can get started with asset-based community development (ABCD) and outline how ABCD can be used to support children outside of formal service systems and keep them in the least restrictive placements with their families and natural supports.