National News Archives - Page 3 of 4 - Nature: Accessible for All

The Hearst Foundations support high-impact programs that improve health, education, and opportunity for underserved populations. Priority areas include educating the next generation of health professionals, innovative early childhood and K–12 education models, and initiatives that expand access to high-quality healthcare for low-income communities.

Funding: Grants typically start at a minimum of $100,000.

Eligibility:
• Programs must demonstrate strong organizational capacity, measurable outcomes, and potential for long-term impact.

• Established nonprofit organizations with a proven track record of success in health, education, or healthcare access.

You can read more about the grant process – Here

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) supports initiatives that advance Strong and Equitable Food Systems and Health and Health Equity. Organizations begin the process by submitting a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) that provides a high-level overview of their work and proposed project.

Funding: Funding levels vary depending on project scope and alignment.

Application:
• LOIs are reviewed on a rolling basis.
• Selected applicants are typically invited to submit a full proposal within approximately 30 days.

Eligibility:
• Nonprofit organizations and institutions whose work aligns with WKKF’s priority areas and commitment to racial equity and community-centered solutions.

You can read more about grant process – Here

In May, Congress took some progressive strides when the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee approved the BUILD America 250 Act.

However, this bill makes it harder for places to build out the connected active-transportation infrastructure Americans want and need.

This initial bill helps land management organizations understand how to plan advocacy efforts in the coming months.

The Rails to Trails Conservancy has produced a summary of what’s in the bill and what’s not:

• IN: Transportation Alternatives (TA) remains as a 10% set-aside of the surface transportation block grant, growing slowly to about $1.66 billion annually; also, new eligibilities for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) allow funds to be used as a local match, but the bill makes it easier for states to transfer funds out of the program.

• IN: Recreational Trails Program (RTP) persists at $84 million despite the huge delta compared with the $281 million in gas tax receipts paid into the Highway Trust Fund by off-road motorized trail users.

• OUT: Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP) is repealed, which creates challenges for communities across the United States pursuing large-scale active transportation networks.

• IN: Safe Streets and Roads for All ramps up at an average per year of $750 million.

• NEW: Surface Transportation Accelerator Grants, a complementary program to BUILD that includes a collection of previously stand-alone discretionary grant programs, is included at $2.4 billion annually and focuses on connectivity across modes of travel, safety and the economy.

These programs are necessary to provide the safe, connected networks that allow people to walk, bike and roll to the places they need to go. You can find RTC’s in-depth analysis of the bill on their website.

Greetings Nature Accessibility Advocates,

May brings a wide range of observances that highlight both the progress made and the work still ahead in advancing accessibility and inclusion. Here we address just a few chances to highlight observances for May. Among the most widely recognized is National Mobility Awareness Month, which focuses on the importance of mobility solutions and independence.

The month also includes National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, which raises awareness of communication disorders and access to critical services, as well as Global Accessibility Awareness Day (celebrated this year on May 21), which highlights the importance of accessible digital and physical environments. Other notable recognitions include Lupus Awareness Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, and ALS Awareness Month, each underscoring the diverse needs that must be considered in inclusive design.

With so many important observances throughout the month, May serves as a powerful reminder that accessibility is not one-size-fits-all, and that continued collaboration, education, and action are essential to building environments, programs, and services that work for everyone.

Rally your community. Build an inclusive world.

Join Move United in honoring the legacy of disability rights champions such as Judy Heumann and Eli Wolff, #NationalAdaptiveSportDay is an annual day of advocacy for disability inclusion in sports and recreation.

April 28 marks the anniversary of the signing of the regulations enforcing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the landmark civil rights legislation that barred discrimination against people with disabilities in federally funded programs, including sports and recreation.

NationalAdaptiveSportDay advances inclusion in sport while highlighting the power and purpose of the disability community.

Here’s how you can celebrate:
• Post on social media and tag #NationalAdaptiveSportDay.
• Become an ally. Upload your logo to here.
• Rally people to spread the word in your community and network.
• Host an National Adaptive Sport Day event.

More great news for those advocating for more accessible trails and green spaces for passive recreation. U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver introduced the Parks to People Active Transportation Act, a bill which would dramatically expand federal funding for greenway path projects.

Greenway paths help connect communities to natural spaces and parks, and the bill would specifically work to create equity in access to recreation and the outdoors.

You can view the main story – HERE