The ERIC Fund (formally known as The Eric C. Savader Memorial Disabilities Fund) was founded in 1998 in memory of Eric Savader, a disability rights proponent who worked with leading national disability and political organizations in Washington, DC.  Eric believed strongly that individuals with disabilities, regardless of the severity of their disability, could and should lead independent lives in the community.  The ERIC Fund was founded to help provide assistive technology, devices and equipment for individuals with disabilities to help them live, work, go to school and participate actively in community life.

2019 marks the 21st year that The Eric Fund will offer awards.  These grants will assist persons with disabilities living in the Washington, DC area who demonstrate a need for assistive technology or equipment in purchasing such devices or equipment to help them lead independent, inclusive lives.  To date, the organization has funded more than $200,000 in grants.

To apply and for more info: https://www.ericfund.org/apply-for-a-grant

APPLICANTS MUST:

Live in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. This includes the District of Columbia, Maryland (Montgomery, Prince Georges, Anne Arundel, Calvert, Howard, Charles and St. Mary’s counties), and Northern Virginia (Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William, Stafford, Loudon and Fauquier counties and the City of Alexandria).

Be 0-65 years of age.

Have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act: “Disability – The term ‘disability’ means with respect to an individual: (a) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual; (b) a record of such an impairment; or (c) being regarded as having such an impairment.”

Describe/Demonstrate in writing your financial need.

Demonstrate in writing how the assistive technology or equipment requested will improve the individual’s quality of life and assist them in living more independently in the community.

Have had an evaluation within the last 12 months for the assistive technology or equipment for which they are requesting funding.

Identify a manufacturer or retailer for the assistive technology and/or equipment requested and an estimated price for the equipment/technology. (The ERIC Fund will only issue checks to the manufacturers or retailers and will not issue money directly to individuals).

The whole application is available here – https://ericfund.wufoo.com/forms/2019-eric-fund-grant-award-application/