• According to the latest United States census, about one in every five Americans has some type of disability, and more than 82 percent of those are unemployed, making the disabled one of the most poverty-stricken populations in the U.S. Individuals with disabilities and organizations that support those with disabilities often seek grants to provide physical assistance, transportation, small business start-up and a myriad of other supports. There are many opportunities available for those seeking funding.
  
  

Types of Financial Support

• Many individuals with disabilities receive Social Security Disability benefits, SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and/or SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance). Individuals receiving these benefits who want to start their own business may qualify for a PASS or Plan for Achieving Self-Support. A PASS is a work incentive developed by the Social Security Administration that allows disabled individuals to set aside a portion of their benefits and save them to use for business purposes, like purchasing equipment or transportation.
  
  

Federal Connection

• Grants.gov and Federal Grants Wire are your connections to federal grant opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Some opportunities include grants for technology, employment services, basic support, advocacy, transportation and grants that are disability-specific, for instance grants for the blind.
  
  

Some Free, Reliable Resources

• Some free, reliable resources for grant opportunities are the library at Michigan State University, The Foundation Center and the Grants and Fundraising Directory for Nonprofits and Schools. Each of these resources allows you to search for grant opportunities by subject and by state, saving you wasted time. The Foundation Center also has a service available for purchase on a yearly basis that is quite comprehensive.
  
  

Education

• If you are a physically disabled person seeking funding for continued education, Disabled World is a company that focuses on education grants for those living in the United Stated, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom and New Zealand.
  
  

Housing

• HUD, the United Stated Department of Housing and Urban Development, offers housing grants to a variety of people in need and facing hardship, including those with disabilities. You can find HUD on the Internet at www.hud,gov, or get information from your local housing authority.