Community Grants Program
Disability Health Care Access and Quality Grant Program for Safety Net Organizations
DISABILITY HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND QUALITY GRANT PROGRAM FOR SAFETY NET ORGANIZATIONS
The University of Michigan Center for Disability Health and Wellness (U-M CDHW), in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM), established the Disability Health Care Access and Quality Grant Program for Safety Net Organizations to support Michigan safety net organizations working to improve health care access and quality for people with disabilities.
Through the program, grants of up to $10,000 have been awarded to organizations across Michigan for projects designed to improve accessibility and quality of care for people with physical, cognitive, sensory, and developmental disabilities. Funded projects include the purchase of accessible medical equipment and assistive technology, accessibility improvements, and disability-focused training and educational activities.
This grant program is supported by U-M CDHW in partnership with BCBSM. Funding is provided by BCBSM and through a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research through the Advancing Health Equity among Adults with Disabilities from Diverse Communities Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (AHEAD-DC RRTC).
People with disabilities deserve safe, accessible health care. This community grant program allows Center for Disability Health and Wellness to work in partnership with BCBSM to support these critical safety net organizations to make that possible" - Dr. Michelle Meade
2026 Grant Awardees
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) and the University of Michigan (U-M) Center for Disability Health and Wellness have awarded more than $66,000 in grants to organizations across the state working to improve the accessibility and quality of healthcare for people with disabilities. This year’s grant funding expands support for initiatives that address critical gaps in access to care. Grant funding will support efforts including the purchase of equipment, accessible entryways, updates to patient materials and training for staff and volunteers. The following organizations have been awarded a grant.
| Recipient | Project | Project Description | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avalon Healing Center | Advancing Inclusive Care for Sexual Assault Survivors - | Accessibility assessment and staff training | $6,000 |
| Cass Clinic | Building Access, Building Competence: Advancing Disability-Informed Care at Cass Clinic | Accessible medical exam tables, equipment and staff and volunteer training | $4,950 |
| City on a Hill Clinic | Disability-Inclusive Care Access Improvement Project | Medical equipment, update patient materials and staff and volunteer training | $10,000 |
| Deaf Community Action Network | Improving Access to Care for DeafBlind Patients Through Assistive Technology | Portable screen reader devices | $5,500 |
| Exalta Health | Accessibility for All: Expanding ADA-Accessible Healthcare Items | Accessible medical exam table and wheelchair-accessible scale | $10,000 |
| Great Lakes Bay Health Centers | Accessible Exam Table Bayside | Accessible medical exam table | $10,000 |
| Holland Free Health Clinic | Improving Access to Dental Care for Adults with Disabilities | Disability training, accessibility supports and patient and caregiver education | $1,500 |
| Love in Action | Barrier-Free Access and Sound Reduction Initiative | Automatic door openers and sound reduction | $10,000 |
| Ogemaw Hills Free Clinic | Sidewalk Widening and Repair and Accessible Scale | Expand walkway and purchase wheelchair-accessible scale | $8,627 |
Read the full 2026 press release for more information.
2025 Grant Awardees
| Recipient | Project Title | Project Description | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corktown Health | Advance Health and Well-Being for All, Focusing on the LGBTQ Community | Specialized dental equipment, sensory supports, brochures and signage | $3,500 |
| Covenant Community Care | Providing Integrated, Affordable, and Quality Health Care to Those Who Need It Most | Dental care tools, supplies and training for the residency clinic and mobile dental unit | $5,500 |
| Mott's Children Health Center & Dentistry | Improve Health Outcomes for Children in Genesee County | Sensory tools and supports, including sound, light, tactile and deep-pressure aids | $5,000 |
| Taylor St. Primary Care Clinic | Preventive and Treatment Services for Virginia Park and Detroit Neighborhoods | Adjustable-height exam table, wheelchair-accessible scale and disability advocacy training | $5,500 |
| The Corner Health Center | Affordable Health and Wellness Care and Education for Youth and Young Adults | Sensory supports, including noise-reducing headphones, weighted blankets, dimmable lighting and stress-relief items | $4,500 |
| Thumb Community Partnership | Coordinated Response to Regional Community Needs | Website accessibility and digital materials training, accessibility audits and outreach materials | $5,500 |
| VINA Community Clinic | Affordable Dental Care for Livingston County Residents | Noise-cancelling headphones to improve accessibility and sensory support | $1,600 |
Read the full 2025 press release for more information.
Looking Ahead to 2027
Another funding cycle for the Disability Health Care Access and Quality Grant Program for Safety Net Organizations is planned for 2027. Additional information about eligibility, application requirements, funding amounts, and deadlines will be posted on this page when available.
The contents of this page were developed under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90RTHF0005). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this page do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, or HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
