200k In Grants Available To Fund Innovative Ideas To Help People With Intellectual Disabilities And Autism

BOSTON, Aug. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Northeast Arc of Massachusetts is accepting applications for The Arc Tank 2.0, a competition that seeks to fund innovative ideas that enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and autism. All individuals, non-profit and for-profit organizations or groups are eligible to apply, and submissions can address a variety of areas for individuals with disabilities including safety and well-being, employment, technology, housing, transportation or socialization.

Finalists will present their ideas in front of a judging panel, open to the public, on Tuesday, Nov. 27, at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, a partner in The Ark Tank 2.0. The Changing Lives Fund at Northeast Arc, established with a $1 million gift by Steven P. Rosenthal, will award up to $200,000 to the winning proposals.

Last year, more than 100 proposals were submitted from around the world and throughout the U.S. by a variety of inventors, engineers, human service providers, parents, college students, and persons with disabilities.  The winners included the YMCA of the North Shore, UMass Medical School and the Center for Public Representation.

"The Arc Tank kicked off last year and we were so impressed with the creativity and innovation featured in the proposals," said Jo Ann Simons, CEO of Northeast Arc. "The goal of the Arc Tank is to positively disrupt conventional methods of providing services to people with disabilities, and we're excited to see the ideas that applicants will put forward this year to improve the lives of those with disabilities." 

"The Changing Lives Fund encourages individuals to come up with creative ideas that disrupt the traditional way of providing services and gives people with disabilities new opportunities and access to resources," said Rosenthal. "The winners of last year's Arc Tank are already making a tremendous impact helping individuals become more active and involved in their communities, and we're looking forward to the 2018 proposals."

Applications must be submitted by September 18, 2018. For more information, visit www.ne-arc.org/the-arc-tank.

SOURCE Northeast Arc

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http://www.ne-arc.org