CPARF Receives Ability Central Grant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CPARF Receives $100,000 Grant from Ability Central to Expand Access to Affordable Assistive Technology

New York, NY — [April 13, 2026] — CPARF announced today that it has received a $100,000 grant from Ability Central to support Remarkable US, the nonprofit’s accelerator that supports startups developing affordable, practical assistive technology for people with disabilities.

This funding strengthens a partnership grounded in a shared commitment to communication access, independence, and community-driven innovation. Over the next program cycle, CPARF and Ability Central will collaborate to bolster founder support and make sure people with disabilities guide product development through user testing, co-design, and accessibility consulting.

“We’re grateful to Ability Central for believing in this work,” said Chris Olver, Executive Director of CPARF. “We’re aligned around designing tools that truly meet real needs, and this support lets us keep building a program where community expertise and lived experience shape every step of development.”

Since launching in 2022, Remarkable US has supported 17 startups focused on solutions for communication, mobility, learning, health, and aging. Collectively, these companies have reached more than 170,000 people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and age‑related conditions.

Ability Central’s grant will help fund program delivery, community-centered user testing and co‑design, and seed investment for selected startups.

“Ability Central is proud to support CPARF and Remarkable US in advancing assistive technology that is practical and affordable for the disability community,” said Griffen Stapp, Executive Director of Ability Central. “We know that meaningful innovation happens when lived experience helps shape the process, and this partnership reflects our shared commitment to expanding access, independence, and opportunity for people with disabilities.”

This partnership will help expand the pipeline of disability‑centered technologies and help ensure new solutions are created with meaningful community input and long‑term sustainability in mind.

Contact

Elizabeth Boyte, VP of Philanthropy & Impact, 646.503.1335

About Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation (CPARF)

CPARF advances scientific discovery and drives innovation to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Through its assistive-technology accelerator, Remarkable US, CPARF supports early-stage startups to develop accessible, affordable, and community-driven solutions that increase agency, dignity, and inclusion. Learn more at cparf.org/disability-innovation.

About Ability Central

Ability Central is one of the largest disability-focused philanthropic organizations in the United States, dedicated to expanding access to communication, information, and opportunity for people with disabilities.

Through grantmaking, partnerships, and community-centered initiatives, Ability Central supports organizations and innovators working to advance accessibility, inclusion, and communication access in everyday life.

To learn more about Ability Central, visit https://abilitycentral.org.