The Administration for Community Living is seeking applications for its Peer Supports for Augmentative and Alternative Communication Grant.
Donor Name: Administration for Community Living
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/22/2026
Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million
Grant Duration: 3 Years
Details:
The Administration for Community Living strengthen and expand a national peer support network for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). It will address the unmet needs of an estimated 5 million individuals in the U.S. with speech-related disabilities who cannot rely solely on speech for communication.
This funding opportunity will build on past work to create a peer-led network that empowers AAC users, promotes leadership, and provides resources to improve outcomes such as self-determination, economic security, and community engagement. By the end of the project, individuals with speech-related disabilities should have a first-of-its-kind modern resource, built for how people connect today, that makes it easy for them to use or gain access to AAC.
The Administration on Disabilities (AoD) at the Administration for Community Living (ACL) is funding this project to expand and strengthen a national peer support network for people who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). The support network will provide access to a modern, easy-to-use resource that reflects how people connect today. Through this network, AAC users can build real connections, share experiences, exchange ideas and strategies, and support one another in overcoming barriers to AAC use. These connections are expected to help people become more independent, active, and engaged in their communities.
Goals
The main goal of this project is to create a sustainable national AAC peer support network designed by and for people with speech-related disabilities. The network will help people access and use AAC in ways that match their personal needs and preferences.
- By providing funding to grow and sustain this network, AoD ultimately seeks to achieve the following:
- Greater self-determination, leadership skills, and confidence among people with speech-related disabilities.
- Ongoing mentorship among AAC users.
- More people using AAC that fits their preferences and needs.
- Greater economic mobility and security among AAC users.
- Improved safety and long-term security for AAC users, free from harm and exploitation.
- Initial success measures include:
- More individuals who use or need AAC participating in the project.
- More families, friends, providers, healthcare professionals, educators, and nondisability entities participating in the project.
- More resources created and shared to improve AAC knowledge.
- Growth of AAC users in project leadership roles.
- Growth in AAC peer support groups.
- New funding sources for growing the AAC peer support network.
- More engagement with hard-to-reach individuals who are not connected.
- Improved knowledge of and access to helpful resources among participants.
- Success measures by the end of the project include:
- AAC peer support groups meeting their goals.
- At least 75% of participants reporting positive personal, education, and/or employment outcomes.
- At least 50% of participants reporting increased AAC use.
- Fewer barriers to joining peer support groups.
- Participants reporting at least a 50% increase in capacity to support AAC users after receiving training and resources.
- A sustainable, modern AAC peer support network built around contemporary ways people connect today.
Funding Information
- Expected total program funding over the performance period: $2,325,000.00
- Expected total program funding per budget period: $775,000.00
- Funding range per applicant per budget period: $775,000.00
Grant Period
September 30, 2026, to September 29, 2029.
Eligibility Criteria
Only these types of organizations may apply:
- Domestic public or private nonprofit entities.
- State and local governments.
- Indian tribal governments and organizations (American Indian/Alaskan Native/ Native American).
- Faith-based organizations.
- Community-based organizations.
- Hospitals.
- Institutions of higher education
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
