PHOTO COURTESY: RAD | RAD AWARDED $47,000 TO CARNEGIE MUSEUMS OF PITTSBURGH TO INSTALL SEVEN AUTOMATED DOOR OPENERS AT THEIR OAKLAND CAMPUS. RAD IS SEEKING GRANT PROPOSALS FOR SIMILAR ACCESSIBILITY, INCLUSION PROJECTS.

Nonprofit organizations within the Allegheny Regional Asset District are encouraged to apply for funding to complete projects with long-term benefits that will make regional assets more welcoming to all visitors.

Since 2013, RAD has funded 29 projects to improve accessibility and foster inclusion; it recently announced plans to invest a record $1 million into similar project grants.

“RAD is for everyone,” said Rich Hudic, RAD executive director, in a press release. “That’s why we’re doubling down on accessibility. We want to see proposals for improvements that provide equal access to everyone.”

More than 2.6 million Pennsylvania adults — or more than 1 in 4 adults in the commonwealth — have a disability, including mobility, cognitive, hearing and vision difficulties, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Recent RAD-funded projects have allotted for the installation of wheelchair ramps. Specific funding from 2019 to 2022 includes:

• $50,000 to the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh for a raised line map of the museum’s campus and a new sensory accommodations video
• $32,000 to the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh for assistive listening devices, closed captioning glasses and tactile representations of shows and presentations
• $32,000 to Contemporary Craft for ADA-accessible parking spaces, ramp, interior sign package and water fountain
• $20,000 to City of Asylum for a SoundShirt system, which allows Deaf audience members to feel music sensations in real time
• $7,000 to Prime Stage Theatre for accessibility improvements to website and program materials

Project grant applications are now open to all 99 organizations currently receiving RAD funding. The grants would be in addition to RAD’s current support for operating and capital expenses.

“This money is available because our board believes strongly in making sure regional assets promote and sustain a sense of belonging,” said Hudic. “RAD-supported organizations have done great work over the years, but we also know that there are opportunities to help more of their patrons participate fully in their programming.”

Organizations must contact RAD to discuss their proposal before applying. The following deadlines are in place for RAD to accept 2023 applications:

• Thursday, March 16, for consideration at the 2nd quarter board meeting
• Thursday, Oct. 5, for consideration at the 4th quarter board meeting

Meetings begin at 3 p.m. and are held at the Koppers Building Conference Center, 436 Seventh Ave., Downtown.

Find the agenda and public comment procedure here.