FY2026 (padd) DD act state protection & advocacy systems

The Administration for Community Living awarded Equip For Equality, Inc. $1.853 million on October 1, 2025, under the Developmental Disabilities Basic Support and Advocacy Grants program (CFDA 93.630), a formula grant supporting state protection and advocacy systems for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Equip For Equality, Illinois's designated Protection and Advocacy system, delivers legal advocacy, rights protection, and support services to individuals with developmental disabilities across Illinois, working to ensure equal access to employment, community integration, voting rights, and other essential services. The award funds the organization's DD ACT State Protection & Advocacy Systems program for the period October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027, with performance occurring in Illinois.

The federal grant program supports state systems that enable individuals with developmental disabilities to become independent, productive, integrated, and included in their communities through comprehensive, coordinated services and activities protecting the legal and human rights of this population. Equip For Equality collaborates with sub-recipients including the University of Illinois and Equal Justice Works to expand service delivery through training, outreach, technical assistance, and consultation on Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, voting access, and disability rights education to employers, government agencies, educational institutions, and the disability community.