The purpose of the Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) Program 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. DIF has been reauthorized under the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (Pub. L. 116-94); the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Pub. L. 116-260); the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Pub. L. 117-103); and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. 117-328).
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.
Learn more about recently funded grants below.
Supports vocational rehabilitation-eligible individuals with disabilities advance in high-demand, high-quality careers (ALN: 84.421C).
SWTCIE increases the opportunity for those eligible seeking subminimum wage employment to obtain competitive integrated employment (ALN: 84.421D).
Supports projects focused on strengthening ties of agencies providing transition services to students with disabilities (ALN: 84.421E).
Funds innovative projects that help youth and adults with disabilities gain skills and transition to competitive integrated employment (ALN: 84.421F).