The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living awarded the University of Alabama $188,180 under the Voting Access for Individuals with Disabilities–Grants for Protection and Advocacy Systems program (CFDA 93.618) on October 1, 2025.
The grant funds protection and advocacy activities to ensure full participation in the electoral process for individuals with disabilities in Alabama. Eligible work includes education and training for individuals with disabilities to promote their participation in voting; advocacy and education efforts around Help America Vote Act (HAVA) implementation; training and education of election officials, poll workers, and election volunteers regarding the rights of voters with disabilities and best practices; assistance to individuals with disabilities in filing complaints under state-based administrative grievance procedures and representation in related hearings; assistance to states and governmental entities regarding physical accessibility of polling places; and training and technical assistance on voting issues, including education regarding accessible voting equipment.
The award covers the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2030, with place of performance in Alabama. This is a formula grant; the program directs that Protection and Advocacy Systems in each state receive funding annually, with no state receiving less than $70,000.