Oak Hill Receives $15,506 Quality of Life Grant from Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation for Accessible Mobile Gaming Station
Oak Hill is proud to announce that it has been awarded $15,506 as part of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation National Paralysis Resource Center (PRC) 2020 2nd Cycle Direct Effect Quality of Life grants.
Fifty-one grants totaling $925,492 were awarded. The Quality of Life Grants Program supports nonprofit organizations that empower individuals living with paralysis. Since the Quality of Life Grants Program’s inception, more than 3,300 grants totaling over $32 million have been awarded. Funding for this new cycle of grants were made possible through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living (ACL grant #90PRRC0002-03-00).
The Reeve Foundation National Paralysis Resource Center has several grants under the Quality of Life program awarding grants in different category areas, varying in different amounts. The Direct Effect Quality of Life grants program organizations up to $25,000 to support a wide range of projects and activities that will clearly impact individuals living with paralysis and their families.
“This past year has brought about many extreme challenges to the organizations that we work with and the people we collectively serve,” said Mark Bogosian, Director, Quality of Life Grants Program, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. “This cohort of grantees and their ever-important projects are a beacon of light as we navigate our way through a new year. There are still challenges ahead, but I know that together we will continue to move forward to overcome obstacles and barriers that affect the over 5.3 million Americans living with paralysis and their families and caregivers. I have complete confidence that these new projects will lead the way to a better tomorrow.”
Oak Hill will use the grant funding for our assistive technology program to build an accessible mobile gaming station and provide expanded gaming consultative services. Together, the equipment and services will provide accessible gaming experiences to gamers with paralysis of all ages.
The Video Game Access Station is a 10ft-by-10ft space where up to four gamers with paralysis can enter and play video games together. In the middle of the station will be a small table on which there will be a video game console, several configurable adaptive controllers, and a projector. A projector screen will be placed in front of the projector and will display games being played. Behind the gaming table will be socially distanced space for each gamer, including those in wheelchairs, and between each gamer will be a clear free-standing wall to provide protection against COVID.
“We are sincerely grateful to have been awarded the Quality of Life grant. Oak Hill is able to continue our essential work for two reasons, the tireless commitment from our incredible staff, and the vital funding from organizations such as the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation,” said Barry Simon, President and CEO of Oak Hill. “Our accessible gaming program has allowed us to provide unique services to gamers nation-wide. There is an increased demand for accessible gaming services, and with this grant we will be able to grow the capacity of our accessible gaming and assistive technology services to help so many more people enjoy gaming who might not be able to.”
About the Reeve Foundation:
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis. By uniting the brightest minds in the field, we are working tirelessly to accelerate scientific discovery across the field of spinal cord research by investing in labs across the globe. Additionally, through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living, the Reeve Foundation’s national Paralysis Resource Center (PRC) promotes the health, well-being, and independence of people living with paralysis, providing comprehensive information, resources, and referral services assisting over 100,000 individuals and families since its launch in 2002. The Reeve Foundation is committed to elevating our community’s voices and needs to achieve greater representation and independence. We meet all 20 of the Better Business Bureau’s standards for charity accountability and hold the BBB’s Charity Seal. For more information, please visit our website at www.ChristopherReeve.org or call 800-225-0292.
About Oak Hill: Oak Hill is Connecticut’s largest private provider for people with disabilities, working to break down barriers to independence for over 125 years. Oak Hill’s mission is to set the standard, partnering with people with disabilities, to provide services and solutions promoting independence, education, health and dignity. Oak Hill programs support people of all ages, for all levels of need. For up-to-date information about Oak Hill, please visit OakHillCT.org, www.facebook.com/CIBOakHill, and on Twitter at @OakHillCT. Oak Hill is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) organization.
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