# Google awards $20 million to disability charities

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/04/15/google-awards-20m-disability-charities/
- Published: 2016-04-15T09:00:54+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**[Google has awarded $20m in grants](https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/11/15/google-grants-for-charities/)
to 29 charities globally through its Google Impact Challenge.**

[Google Global Impact Challenge: Disabilities](https://www.google.org/impactchallenge/disabilities/)
focuses on building awareness, identifying solutions and helping create more access
and opportunity for people with disabilities. The grants have been awarded to non-
profits using emerging technologies to increase independence for people living with
disabilities.

UK charities benefitting from grants include [Motivation](http://www.motivation.org.uk/),
the [RNIB](http://www.rnib.org.uk/), and [Wayfindr](http://www.wayfindr.net/), The
Royal London Society for Blind People’s  joint venture with ustwo.

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Motivation is using its £573,737 by collaborating with Google to explore the use
of 3D printing in mobility solutions for people with disabilities living in developing
countries.

The 24-month project will develop and test a model for using 3D printing to create
customised postural support devices, which will enable the charity to move towards
a model where wheelchairs can be adapted and fitted to the unique needs of each 
user. An integral part of the project is the piloting of a ‘Print Pod’ overseas,
which will act as a temporary wheelchair clinic, kitted out with a 3D printer and
raw materials.

Motivation will also engage in outreach and advocacy efforts to encourage broader
adoption of 3D printing within its network and elsewhere across the sector if successful.

Ian Harris, senior designer at Motivation, said:

> “We believe that together we can really help wheelchair service providers in developing
> countries toward the goal of tailored postural support, reducing the risk of life
> threatening complications from poorly fitted chairs and dramatically increase 
> mobility and independence.”

 * **[Motivation campaign tackles childhood disability in Uganda](https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/05/04/motivation-campaign-tackles-childhood-disability-uganda/)**(
   4 May 2016)
 * **[New funding for disability in N Ireland](https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/06/16/new-funding-disability-n-ireland/)**(
   16 June 2017)
 * **[Disabled People’s Organisations emergency Covid fund opens for applications](https://fundraising.co.uk/2020/09/18/disabled-peoples-organisations-emergency-covid-fund-opens-for-applications/)**(
   18 September 2020)

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