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Community and Internet Resources


Adaptive Technology: Financial Assistance


National

ABLEDATA's Informed Consumer's Guide to Funding Assistive Technology offers a comprehensive outline of how an individual can go about searching for and applying for financial assistance towards assistive technology devices. It also lists sources of funding assistance and information, including links to State Technology Assistance Projects, relevant books and articles, and more.

New Sign Adaptech's Free & Inexpensive Adaptive Technology Database offers a compilation of a list of free and/or inexpensive adaptive technology hardware and software alternatives that might be useful. Some of these are long-running demos, while others are fully functional. They do not suggest that these replace the higher end hardware and software currently on the market. However, as a short-term solution, or for the purposes of trying out different adaptive technologies, they believe they are a good place to start. This project was funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) at Dawson College, Adaptech Research Network, 3040 Sherbrooke West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3Z1A4, Telephone: (514) 931-8734 or Fax: (514) 931-3567.

Adaptive Mall.com Tumble Forms has developed a very handy reference resource for those in search of funding for assistive technology devices. They present seven funding options, nine steps to funding and links to a number of other helpful resources.

Alternative Financing Technical Assistance Project (AFTAP) is a project of Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology (AT) Society of North America (RESNA). "AFTAP is designed to enhance the efforts of the state alternative financing program (AFP) grantees and to assist states applying for AFP grants through a variety of mechanisms." Their website features several State AT Financial Loan Programs that are available to individuals with disabilities. If you are interested in learning more about these programs, links are provided to each participating state's program on the AFTAP website.

Assistive Technology Funding and Systems Change Project is a nationwide project that provides individuals in need of assistive technology funding, information and technical assistance. For more information, call (800) 827-0093 (Voice) or (800) 833-8272 (TTY/TDD).

Family Village - Funding for Assistive Technology offers links to several sources of information on funding options for assistive technology. While most sources are generalized to include national information, there are a few links to state specific guides as well.

Trace Center offers a Handbook for Funding, which offers an in-depth analysis of funding options available for the purchase of adaptive devices. This resource offers many funding options.

New Sign Modest Needs mission is to stop the cycle of poverty BEFORE it starts for the low-income workers. They do this by offering members of the general public to safely and securely help hard-working, low-income households to afford the kinds of short-term emergency expenses (within limits of value) that we've all encountered before: the unexpected car repair, the unanticipated visit to the doctor, or the unusually large heating bill, for example. They accomplish the donations and grants all on-line. You must have access to a computer to apply. Modest Needs offers three types of grants: Self-Sufficiency Grants, Back-to-Work Grants, and Independent Living Grants. To apply you must be at least 18 years of age;a legal resident of the United States or Canada; meet household income levels of the federally defined 'poverty level' be able to check your computer and have access to a scanner.

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) - Bellows Fund is a national grant program that provides funds to individuals with disabilities for assistive technology equipment. (Note: Persons with all type of disabilities can apply, you need not have Cerbral Palsy to qualify.) Applications can only be submitted by your local UCP office. To locate your local office, visit the UCP website, or contact UCP at (800) 872-5827.

Upshaw Institute for the Blind offers much information on the funding of assistive technology devices through Medicaid, the public schools special education system and through state vocational rehabilitation agencies. Visit Funding Assistive Technology for Persons with Disabilities for more information.

State Listings

Arizona

Arizona Loan$ for Assistive Technology (AzLAT) offers affordable loans to persons with disabilities for the purchase of assistive technology devices. This program is targeted to low and middle income Arizona residents. Examples of assistive technology that could be funded by this program include hearing aids, wheelchairs, Braille note takers, safety rails in the bathroom, specialized computer keyboards and lifts for vans. For more information, visit their website or call (800) 477-9921.

Hawaii

Hawaii Assistive Technology (HAT) Loan Program offers Hawaii residents low interest loans at affordable terms to purchase technological devices and services which enhance independence in the home, workplace and community. HAT loans are offered through American Savings Bank, working with Hawaii Centers for Independent Living. For more information, contact the Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii by phone at (800) 645-3007 or by e-mail at atrc@atrc.org.

Michigan

Michigan Assistive Technology Loan Fund provides low-cost financing to persons with disabilities to purchase assistive technology devices that allow for greater access, increased mobility, enhanced communication and job opportunities. Any resident of the State of Michigan who has a disability or an older person who needs assistive technology may apply. Family members may apply on behalf of children or other family members with the disability. Applicants must be a member of the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition (MDRC) (memberships start at $5) and deposit one share ($5) to open an account at the Financial Health Credit Union. For more information, call (800) 828-2714.

North Carolina

Check-It-Out is an effort to loan assistive technology equipment to people with disabilities in North Carolina and service providers with hopes of increasing the accessibility to adaptive devices through the Internet. A database is included on the site that contains the inventory for loan from different programs. The requirements for each program are located on the site as well.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) is a non-profit organization that helps provide financing opportunities to individuals with disabilities and elder Pennsylvanians for the purchase of assistive technology devices and services. Their Assistive Technology Financing Program offers low-interest loans for the purchase of assistive technology devices and services including modified vehicles and home modifications. Loans range from $500 to $25,000 with various repayment terms. For more information, or to obtain an application, call (888) 744-1938 (Voice) or (877) 693-7271 (TTY). You may also e-mail patf@assistive-technology4pa.org.

Vermont

Vermont Assistive Technology Project offers the Adaptive Equipment Revolving Loan Fund (AERLF). Loans are offered to any Vermonter with a disability, family members or legal guardians for purchasing equipment, including but not limited to: Adapted Vehicles, Computers, Employment Equipment, Hearing and Visual Aids, Home Equipment, Home Modifications, Wheelchairs and Scooters. For more information, call 800-865-8328 .

Virginia

Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority (ATLFA) offers low-interest loans for a wide variety of special equipment, including wheelchairs, motorized scooters, Braille equipment, hearing aids, low vision aids, communication systems, environmental control devices, building modifications for accessibility or telecommunication devices for the deaf. For more information, call (804) 662-9000 (Voice/TTY) or toll-free at (866) 835-5976 (Voice Only).

Residents of Virginia who do not qualify for an ATLFA loan may be eligible for assistance through the Consumer Service Fund, which has repayment terms based on the individual's ability to repay.

Washington

Washington Assistive Technology Foundation (WATF) is a non-profit organization that assists individuals with disabilities in Washington State purchase assistive technology needed for education, employment and independent living. Their Access Fund offers low-interest loans to individuals with disabilities and their families. Loans can be used to purchase any device that maintains or improves functional capabilities of an individual with a disability. Examples include: hearing aids, wheelchairs, computers with adaptive hardware and software, Closed Circuit TV's, medical devices with specialized output (e.g., large print or speech output), or patient lifts and vehicle adaptations. Loans also can be used for home accessibility modifications and to purchase AT related services such as evaluations, training, extended warranties and equipment set-up, maintenance and repair. Loan amounts range from $250 to $5000. WATF charges a 1% loan fee (minimum of $25.00) and borrowers also pay for the cost of a credit check and filing fees. For more information or to obtain an application, visit the WATF website or call (800) 214-8731 (Voice/TTY).

Wisconsin

Public Service Commission of Wisconsin offers the Telecommunications Equipment Purchase Program (TEPP), designed to assist people with disabilities in Wisconsin acquire adaptive communications equipment. TEPP offers financial assistance vouchers to those who are deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired, or mobility / motion impaired. The amount of the voucher depends upon the severity of the disability and a minimum $100 co-pay is the responsibility of the individual receiving the equipment. The vouchers will cover costs relating to the purchase of the following equipment: TTY, amplified handsets or phones, Braille/TTY units, TTY with large visual displays, special modems, hands-free speaker phones, puff activators, and phone signaling systems. Other specialized equipment may be approved on an individual basis. For more information, call (608) 231-3305 (Voice), (608) 267-1479 (TTY) or e-mail pscrecs@psc.state.wi.us.

Wisconsin Assistive Technology Program (WisTech) offers WisLoan, a program offering low-interest loans to any individual in need of an assistive device or software. The program has no income requirements, and does not require individuals to first seek public funding. For more information, call (414) 291-7520 ext. 427. Or call staff at the Independent Living Centers throughout Wisconsin. Visit our NHU page on Independent Living Centers to find the center nearest you.

New Sign Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Milwaukee Job Center Northeast (YWCA) offers people with disabilities the ability to help find employment working from home. If there is adaptive technology hardware or software programs that will meet your goals, they will be able to assist you. Contact them at 1915 North Martin Luther King Drive, Suite 149, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212, call 414-267-3175 (Voice) or 414-267-3176 (FAX).

New Sign Wisconsin Telework Loan Program - IndependenceFirst offers the state loan program in the Milwaukee area. This program allows Wisconsin residents with disabilities to purchase computers and other equipment needed to work from home or from other remote sites away from the office, such as work on the road or at a telework center. For more information, call IndependenceFirst at 1-877-463-3778 Voice/TTY .

For more on the topic of Adaptive Technology:

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