NJ DAC Awards Grants to Nonprofits for Athletics Programs for Individuals with Disabilities

Four New Jersey non-profit organizations have received a total of $330,000 in grants from the state's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to increase the availability of sports training and athletic competition for New Jersey residents with disabilities. 

The grants are part of the Athletics for Individuals with Disabilities program, which is administered by the Office of Recreation within the DCA's Division of Housing and Community Resources. 

The largest grant of $250,000 goes to Special Olympics New Jersey, which provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for up to 25,000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout New Jersey. 

The remaining grants, of $26,667 each, go to Blind Athletes, Inc., the Association of Blind Athletes of New Jersey, and New Jersey Titans Team, Inc. Each of these organizations provides training opportunities and athletic competitions for individuals with vision impairments, and the grants will support the training and purchase of equipment and uniforms. 

According to Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver, who is also DCA Commissioner, "This funding will help individuals with disabilities pursue quality training and experience the thrill of athletic competition, which can be so valuable to people’s physical and mental health and sense of well-being."