The Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Portage DD) believes that all people should live personally fulfilling lives. We want people with developmental disabilities to be included in the community. To advance the accessibility of our community and the inclusion of all people, Portage DD has established a grant to assist organizations in becoming more accessible and inclusive (“Grant Funds”).
Within available funding each calendar year, Portage DD may allocate Grant Funds to assist with costs related to:
Accessibility projects that meet or exceed the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Grant applications will be evaluated based on their impact on accessibility and inclusion in Portage County. As part of the application evaluation process, Portage DD may suggest simpler, less expensive alternatives to increase accessibility and inclusion.
Applicants may apply for Grant Funds more than once in a calendar year. Once Grant Funds are distributed the grants will cease until the following year. Grant Funds may not be used for:
• Administrative costs
• Fundraising activities
• Any other costs as determined by Portage DD not to meet the objectives of the Accessibility and Inclusion Grant guidelines.
The Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities will only consider grant requests from organizations in Portage County. Some examples of increasing accessibility and inclusion are adaptive playground equipment, accessible trails, universal changing tables etc. Applicants are required to submit copies of their receipts, invoices, canceled checks, and any other information as requested by Portage DD when requesting reimbursement. If the organization does not utilize the grant funds, that money must be returned to Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Accessibility project applicants must agree to display a plaque near the completed project that states “Accessibility Project funded in part by the Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities.” The Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities will provide the plaque at no cost to the applicant. Photographs and walk through of the completed project are required.
GRANT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
If you have any additional questions, contact John Vennetti, Portage DD Superintendent, at 330.297.7261 or JohnV@PortageDD.org or feel free to stop by our office during normal business hours.
Please mail or email a detailed description of the project(s) these funds would be used for and how these projects will enhance and/or improve accessibility and inclusion in Portage County. You may also include any drawings or specifications for proposed modification(s) and projected timeline.
Send the completed application via email to johnv@portagedd.org or via mail:
Portage County Board of DD
ATTN: John Vennetti
2606 Brady Lake Road
Ravenna, Ohio 44266