New Grants to Boost Accessible Education Videos and AI for Students with Disabilities

You might care about this because the Department of Education is offering new grant money for projects that help students with disabilities. This announcement is for the Fiscal Year 2026 Educational Technology, Media, and Materials for Individuals with Disabilities Program. The main goal of this program is to make education better for children with disabilities. It does this by supporting the creation and use of new technology. It also helps with educational activities designed for these students. A big part of the program is providing video captioning and descriptions that can be used in classrooms. It also focuses on getting accessible learning materials to students quickly. For this specific competition, the main priority is on "Accessible Education Video Projects." There is also a special preference for projects that focus on "Advancing Artificial Intelligence in Education." A single grant can be worth up to $1,050,000 for a 12-month period. Many different groups can apply for these grants, including state and local education agencies, universities, and non-profit organizations. The deadline to apply is June 26, 2026. More details on how to apply can be found on the Department of Education's website and Grants.gov. What is particularly interesting about this legal document is its clear focus on modern solutions for disability education. The Department of Education is directly addressing the need for accessible video content, which is crucial in today's digital learning environments. Ensuring educational videos include captions and descriptions means more students can engage with learning materials effectively. Furthermore, the emphasis on artificial intelligence is very forward-thinking. It shows an understanding that AI tools can offer new ways to support and personalize education for children with disabilities. This grant program is not just about general technology support. It is specifically calling for projects that create practical, usable video resources and explore how AI can improve learning outcomes. This specific approach makes the grants relevant to the latest advancements in educational technology and disability support. Anyone involved in special education, educational technology, or disability advocacy would find this legal document highly relevant. Specifically, the Department of Education has listed several types of organizations that can apply for these grants. These include state educational agencies and local educational agencies, such as public charter schools. Institutions of higher education, including community colleges, are also eligible. Other public agencies, private non-profit organizations, and even for-profit organizations can apply. Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations, and those in freely associated States and outlying areas, are also encouraged to participate. Essentially, any organization that works to develop accessible educational technology or materials for children with disabilities should pay close attention to this grant opportunity. Professionals working directly with students with disabilities, as well as those developing educational software or media, will find the program's priorities directly align with their goals.