Grant Funding Opportunities

The Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging is accepting grant funding applications for adult changing tables. DDA is offering up to $10,000 in grant funding for the installation of adult changing tables in area businesses, municipalities, and public spaces. The funding will allow for businesses to fund reasonable renovation costs associated with the installation of the table.

The grants will provide funds for facilities open to the public, such as parks, recreation centers, malls, and restaurants. Private and municipal entities can use the funds to purchase and install powered, height-adjustable, adult-sized changing tables for single-occupancy family restrooms.

Applicants may submit requests for funding up to $10,000 per table. Previously, funding was capped at $5,000.

“Adult-sized changing tables have the ability to change lives and communities for children with disabilities, as well as those caring for aging family members,” said DDA Commissioner Brad Turner. “With an increase in grant funding, we hope more businesses and municipalities will apply and help create more inclusive spaces for Tennessee families and individuals.”

In 2022, the Tennessee General Assembly approved $1 million for this grant program. So far, this funding has provided for the installation of more than 40 adult-sized changing tables across Tennessee. Past grant awardees include Dollywood, Nissan Stadium, and the Creative Discovery Museum.

Those wishing to apply must be either private or municipal entities within the state of Tennessee, and the funding must be used for facilities that are open to the public within the state.

Interested in Installing a Table?

Tables can range in cost, with recommended models costing between approximately $2445 to $6200. 

Requirements for changing tables include:

• Powered and height-adjustable, for safety of the person and caregiver assisting
• Placed in single occupancy restrooms, universal to gender, open to the public
• Room size of at least 10x14.6 ft.  This allows for a turning radius of 60” for the wheelchair in the middle of the room and 36” of space at one end of the table
• Clear signage at the entrance of the building.

How to Apply:

If you are interested in applying for a universal adult changing table, please fill out the application at this link. The DDA team may contact you for clarification or further information.

Be prepared to provide:

• Name of organization
• Contact email
• State of Tennessee Edison ID or W9
• Location of proposed installation site
• Anticipated breakdown of costs
• Anticipated timeframe to complete installation

Have Questions?

Vendors:

• MaxAbility, a changing table vendor, is available to provide technical assistance about table specifications and installation of the tables at darrell@max-ability.com.
• Smirthwaite, a changing table vendor, is also available to provide technical assistance about table specifications and installation of the tables at marat@mberggroup.com.

Please note that the state does not endorse any particular vendor.

If you have additional questions about tables, installation, or other components of this grant program, please contact the Public Affairs inbox at PublicAffairs.DDA@tn.gov .  We will assist in directing your question to the appropriate party.

Thanks to the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities for their advocacy on this important issue.  You can learn more about the origin of this grant program on the Council’s website.

Earlier this year, the department partnered with the Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee State Parks, and the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy to install an adult-sized changing table in the visitors’ center at Natchez Trace State Park. 

The State of Tennessee, Department of Disability and Aging is accepting applications for a residential pilot program in West Tennessee and Middle Tennessee. Please see the links below for details regarding the program and application.

The department is providing up to $25,000 in one-time funding to faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with the purpose of creating respite ministries or programs that provide people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families with a safe place of rest.  An example of faith-based respite includes providing a church activity with trained staff for people with disabilities so that parents can enjoy a night out. The grant is designed to provide flexibility to applying organizations to build a respite plan that meets the needs of their faith community.

DDA has $500,000 of total funding for this grant program and accepted applications for funding until June 14, 2024.

Questions about the grant can be directed to Braden.Odom@tn.gov.

• Respite Ministry Grant Application
• Respite Ministry Grant PowerPoint Presentation

In Fiscal Year 2022, Governor Lee and the General Assembly appropriated $500,000 in recurring funding to DDA to provide grants to Higher Education Programs. An additional $500,000 was appropriated in FY 2023. The purpose of these grants is to increase the number of inclusive higher education programs that serve students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Tennessee. DDA awards grants to two- or four-year colleges and universities in the state that are committed to launching new programs or enhancing existing programs. These grants are intended to support the strategic planning and partnerships that will lead to the inclusion of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in classrooms and campus life. DDA is excited to work with colleges and universities across Tennessee as a way to expand opportunities for young people with disabilities.

DDA accepted applications for the Tennessee Believes Grant Funding until March 31, 2023.

The Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) is providing $2.5 million in new funding aimed at creating more inclusive parks and playgrounds in communities across Tennessee.

The department is providing up to $500,000 to local communities or nonprofit organizations to create inclusive parks, playgrounds, and other facilities.  The goal is to provide opportunities for children and adults with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities to experience the physical, social, and emotional benefits of play alongside their peers without disabilities.

DDA began accepting applications on Monday, May 22, 2023.  Applicants should be government entities or 501(c)(3) nonprofit agencies, and all proposals should be open to the community, rooted in family involvement, community engagement, inclusion, and empowerment.  The application format can be found in the RFA attachment below.  DDA is accepting applications for funding until June 30, 2023.