NEA DISABILITY-CENTERED BOOK GRANTS

Library books with positive disability representation contribute to creating a more inclusive and supportive school environment where all students feel accepted, respected, and empowered to succeed. These books play a crucial role in improving disability rights and inclusion in schools by challenging disability stigma, dispelling misinformation, and building an understanding of lived disability experiences.

To support librarians and educators in ensuring that books that represent diverse perspectives reach the hands of our students, we are offering 24 grants to local affiliates to purchase books from the NEA Disability Awareness booklist.

Who is eligible to apply? School librarians/media specialists and other educators.
What is expected in return for the grant? Successful grant recipients must coordinate with their school librarian/media specialist* to identify and order books from the NEA Disability Awareness Book list by August 1, 2025 and complete the required survey by December 31, 2025.
How much funding is available through the grants? The maximum grant amounts vary based on the size of your local affiliate: Ten $500 grants are available to small locals (< 200 members); eight $1250 grants are available to medium locals (201-500 members); and, six $2500 grants are available to large locals (500+ members).

Grant funds are to be used to purchase books from the NEA Disability Awareness Booklist. Grant funds must be used by August 1, 2025 and the post-grant survey must be completed by December 31, 2025.

Grant Personnel

This is the individual responsible for implementation and execution of the grant and all required documentation.

Primary Grant Contact First Name

Primary Contact Last Name

Primary Contact Email

Primary Contact Role

Primary Contact Phone Number

State & Local Affiliate Information

State Affiliate

Local Affiliate (no abbreviations)

Local Affiliate President's Name

Local Affiliate President's Email

School Information

What is the location and name of your school?

School Enrollment (approximate number of students)

What are the grade levels of the students enrolled in your school?

Provide a brief description of the characteristics of your school (e.g., rural, Title I, etc.).

Is there a school librarian or media specialist in your school?

If not, please describe how you will ensure that students in your school will have access to these books.

Program Goals & Implementation Strategy

Describe the challenge or problem of equity that you are trying to address by including these books in your collection. (Up to 250 words).

How will you promote and integrate these books into your library's collection and programming to increase awareness, understanding, and inclusion of disability perspectives among students and staff?

Grant Request Amount

Grants are awarded based on the size of the local affiliate. Please select the appropriate size of your affiliate/grant amount.

Statement of Support

I have/will notify my local president of my grant application and award status.

Terms and Conditions

Grantees must immediately notify DisabilityRights@nea.org if there are changes in the primary or secondary grant contact personnel.
Grant funds will be awarded to local affiliates and must be used for the purpose of this grant.
Grantees who do not complete the grant requirements will not be eligible for future grants from NEA.
Grant amounts awarded are based on verified affiliate size.
Grant funds must be used by August 1, 2025 and the post-grant survey must be completed by December 31, 2025.
Successful applicants will be notified by May 1, 2025.
Grant funds cannot be utilized for acquiring promotional items like t-shirts and buttons or for providing meals at supporting events.

Confirmation of Submitted Information

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