Google.org
In 2015, the Google Impact Challenge: Disabilities focused on making the world more accessible for the 1 billion people living with disabilities worldwide. With this first-of-its-kind investment, Google.org pledged $20 million in grants to 29 nonprofits using technology to take on a wide range of accessibility challenges. The Google Impact Challenge: Disabilities served as a rally to action to help build a world that is more inclusive. Working with leading nonprofits, Google.org hosted events to spark innovation and most importantly sought insight from the community to identify solutions that would increase access and opportunity for people with disabilities.
The grantees include organizations supporting individuals with physical disabilities and I/DD including World Wide Hearing, Wheel Map, UCP Wheels for Humanity, and Leprosy Mission Trust India. The Arc was honored to receive a $1.4 million grant that will support an online search, recommendation, and coaching platform that will help people with cognitive disabilities find and adopt technology to live fuller lives. With Google.org’s support, The Arc is expanding the features and services around its Tech Toolbox, a place to find, share, rate and review technology for people with I/DD. A full list of grantees can be found here.
Google.org is also doing broader, movement building work with their celebration and education efforts around the 25th Anniversary of the ADA, and their endeavors toward a more accessible and inclusive world, investing in international projects in honor of the U.N. International Day of Persons with Disabilities.