The Rhode Island Governor’s Workforce Board administers the Workplace Accessibility Grant Program to promote employment and economic opportunity for people with disabilities through investments in accessible workplaces.
The current official program page lists $25,000 in FY26 funding and a maximum annual award of $5,000 per eligible employer. The program can reimburse up to 100% of eligible costs. Multiple grants may be awarded until an employer reaches the $5,000 calendar year cap. The program guide also states that GWB may be able to arrange an advance payment when reimbursement would be a participation barrier, but the employer must contact GWB before applying.
Applications are online and rolling. The official guide says applications may be submitted at any time and recommends applying at least three weeks before the desired project or activity start. No fixed application deadline, deadline time, or timezone is published. GWB approval and an executed contract are required before reimbursable costs are incurred.
Eligible applicants are for profit or private nonprofit employers doing business in Rhode Island with fewer than 25 total employees, in good standing with the Rhode Island Division of Taxation and all divisions of the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, and fully approved in Ocean State Procures before applying. Public and government entities are not eligible.
Eligible activities may include physical, procedural, programmatic, communication, technology, training, and hiring practice accessibility improvements. Examples in the official guide include automatic doors, ramps, ergonomic equipment, inclusive workplace training, ASL training, website accessibility, screen readers, disability friendly software, remote work equipment, voice recognition software, and accessible hiring consultation. Ineligible costs include enhancements not related to accessibility, employee wages, travel, grant preparation or administration, and food or beverage.
Atlas assessment: Atlas Opportunity Score 55/100. N9+ Fit 0/100. The Nonagon N9+ device and platform is not an accessibility accommodation and should not be positioned as funded under this program. QC Healthcare Fit 0/100 absent a separately verified accessibility service offering. The program can still be relevant to qualifying small private healthcare or education employers, but it is not healthcare or education specific.
Official source: Rhode Island Governor’s Workforce Board Workplace Accessibility Grants. Program guide: Workplace Accessibility Grant Program Guide.
Official contact: Governor’s Workforce Board, 1511 Pontiac Avenue, Building 73-1, Cranston, RI 02920; 401-462-8860; dlt.gwbinfo@dlt.ri.gov.
Last verified: September 13, 2026.