The U.S. Department of Education today announced the award of almost $1.8 million in grants to help older adults with disabilities. The grant money was disbursed before the recent government shutdown and was not affected by the temporary lapse in funding.

The awards include: $924,999 to the Georgia Tech Research Corporation for a Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technologies to Support Successful Aging with Disability; and $875,000 to the University of Washington for a Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Promoting Healthy Aging for Individuals with Long-Term Physical Disabilities.

"As adults with disabilities age, they face the risk of developing additional health problems and conditions that create significant barriers to employment and quality of life," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said. "Finding ways to promote healthy and successful aging for these individuals is essential."

The grants are being made by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), a component of the department's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.