The bill establishes the Accessibility in the Creative Economy (ACE) grant program, which will be administered by the Office on Disability. This program aims to support capital improvements and projects that enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities within the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences sectors across the Commonwealth. A separate fund will be created to hold the resources for this program, which will include monetary donations, appropriations, and other sources of revenue. The Office on Disability will manage the fund and ensure that it is used exclusively for the purposes outlined in the legislation, including making grants available to eligible organizations that demonstrate a commitment to improving accessibility.
Additionally, the bill establishes the ACE Commission, which will consist primarily of individuals with disabilities and advocates for their rights. This commission will provide recommendations on grant criteria and oversee the distribution of funds to projects that improve accessibility. The ACE Commission is tasked with ensuring that grants are awarded based on a competitive basis, considering factors such as racial and geographic diversity. An annual report detailing the fund's expenditures and grant recipients will be submitted to various legislative committees, ensuring transparency and accountability in the program's operations. The commission is required to be established by December 1, 2026.