Google grants The Arc $1.4 million for accessibility ‘Toolbox’

The Arc, an advocacy nonprofit for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, announced on Monday that it received a $1.4 million grant from Google.org, the search giant’s charitable arm. The grant goes to fund the development of Tech Toolbox, The Arc’s online platform that helps people with disabilities find and adopt useful technologies.
Tech Toolbox allows the more than 20 million people in the U.S. with cognitive disabilities, or their caretakers, to rate and review tech solutions that they’ve used. The platform also enables search for specific tools, and sharing of favorites. The Arc originally began developing Tech Toolbox in 2014, and launched a beta version this year.
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“People with disabilities, their family members, providers, and friends are seeking out technology to help them lead more independent and fulfilling lives,” Peter Burns, CEO of The Arc, said in a statement. “Even though many of The Arc’s chapters have already started to address this demand, with great success, not enough is known about how this constantly evolving marketplace is meeting their needs.”
This, in a nutshell, is what Tech Toolbox is hoping to do with Google.org’s help.
“In the long run, we see the Tech Toolbox becoming a go-to resource for information about the ways that technology can change the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” Google.org director Jacquelline Fuller said.