Many people with disabilities, whether they were born with them or acquired them later in life, have struggled and worked hard to navigate a world and educational system that is largely designed for those who are not disabled. To help increase the educational opportunities available to those who are disabled through physical impairment, disease or who have learning disabilities, the government as well as a number of private organizations have established grant programs to assist students in getting the schooling they need.

Through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, colleges and universities around the country have to provide disabled students with the tools and resources they need to be able to attend classes in much the same manner as other students and students with disabilities are no longer allowed to be segregated from the larger student population. This provides disabled students with the chance to learn at the same level as their peers and scholarships created through this act give them the financial backing to make their college education a reality.

Students will find that there are a number of grant programs available both through the federal government and through public and private colleges and universities. Special grant programs are set up through the National Federation for the Blind and the National Association of the Deaf to assist students with these disabilities in their educational pursuits.

Depending on the major the student chooses, there may be more or less grant money available. Special scholarships for nursing, music and other specialty fields are available to students with disabilities. Additionally, those who choose to pursue careers in careers related to helping others with disabilities and rehabilitation may qualify for special fellowships and financial aid.

College Grants for the Disabled

• Kentucky Department of Vocational Rehabilitation: Varied amount awarded to undergraduate and graduate students with learning or physical impairment and attending Kentucky college.
• American Foundation for the Blind Helen Keller Fund: $1,000 to $3,000 to a student who is deaf-blind with their reading, tutoring, or equipment acquisition expenses.
• American Speech Language Hearing Foundation
  : $2,000 to $4,000 to 10 graduate and doctoral students studying speech pathology or who are disabled themselves.
• Bubel/Aiken Foundation Grant: Varied amounts to students working with helping others with severe disabilities.
• Clay Aiken Able-to-Serve Grants: $1,000 to students under 25 who are disabled or work with the disabled in the community.