An Act improving accessibility in the creative economy

This bill creates a new grant program called the Accessibility in the Creative Economy (ACE) to help arts, humanities, and interpretive science organizations in Massachusetts become more accessible to people with disabilities. The program will be managed by the Office on Disability, which will collect funds from a dedicated portion of the state budget, donations, and investment income to support projects. A special board, led by individuals with disabilities, will oversee the grants and decide how money is used for things like physical upgrades such as ramps and elevators, training for staff, and consulting services. Eligible recipients include for-profit, non-profit, and public organizations, with a preference given to artists living in the state. Grants will be awarded competitively based on their potential to create positive impacts for people with disabilities while also considering racial, geographic, and programmatic diversity.