NEWS RELEASE
More Than $66,000 in Grants Expand Healthcare Access for People with Disabilities
Teddy Lemmer
| 4 min read
DETROIT, July 7, 2026— Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) and the University of Michigan (U-M) Center for Disability Health and Wellness have awarded more than $66,000 in grants to organizations across the state working to improve the accessibility and quality of healthcare for people with disabilities. This year’s grant funding expands support for initiatives that address critical gaps in access to care. Grant funding will support efforts including the purchase of equipment, accessible entryways, updates to patient materials and training for staff and volunteers.
“We’re proud to work alongside safety net organizations in their efforts to improve access to and affordability of healthcare for the communities they serve,” said Tiffany Albert, senior vice president of Community Relations and chief inclusion officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “By supporting practical improvements that help remove barriers to care for people with disabilities, these grants will make a meaningful difference for patients and families in Michigan.”
“Thanks to this grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the University of Michigan Center for Disability Health and Wellness, Taylor Street Primary Care was able to turn needed improvements into meaningful changes for our patients,” said Dr. Melanie Woods, chief nursing officer at Taylor Street Primary Care Clinic, a 2025 grant recipient. “Adding a fifth exam room, an adjustable exam table and a wheelchair-accessible scale has helped us better care for patients in a more comfortable, respectful way. We take great pride in lowering barriers to care, and this support strengthened our ability to provide the quality, accessible care every patient deserves.”
Safety net healthcare organizations play a pivotal role in improving care for people with disabilities and others in need. Consistent access to essential services is crucial to early detection and management of chronic diseases and improving the affordability of healthcare. These organizations are committed to eliminating barriers to care and ensuring their patients get the treatment they need.
“We know that the providers and personnel at safety net organizations want to provide high quality care for patients with disabilities but have limited budgets with which to address many priorities. We are excited to once again be able to work with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to provide resources and support to address gaps,” said Michelle A. Meade, Ph.D., director of the University of Michigan Center for Disability Health and Wellness.
The grants are supported by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the U-M Center for Disability Health and Wellness, which receives funding from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research through the Advancing Health Equity among Adults with Disabilities from Diverse Communities Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (NIDILRR grant #90RTHF0005).
A full list of organizations that have been awarded a grant can be found here.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit mutual insurance company, is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSM provides health benefits to more than 4.7 million members residing in Michigan in addition to employees of Michigan-headquartered companies residing outside the state. The company has been committed to delivering affordable health care products through a broad variety of plans for businesses, individuals and seniors for over 80 years. Beyond health care coverage, BCBSM supports impactful community initiatives and provides leadership in improving health care. For more information, visit bcbsm.com and MiBlueDaily.com.
About University of Michigan Center for Disability Health & Wellness
The University of Michigan Center for Disability Health and Wellness was developed in response to the passion and commitment of faculty and staff in numerous interdisciplinary collaborations across the University of Michigan, who are working to enhance health care access and quality for individuals with disabilities throughout their lifespan. In partnership with the disability community, in Michigan and the US, we develop and apply innovative research, clinical, and educational strategies to address inequities in healthcare access, quality, and outcomes experienced by individuals with physical, sensory, and developmental disabilities across the lifespan. For more information, visit medresearch.umich.edu/labs-departments/centers/cdhw.
