Sources of Funding for AT

Educational Institutions/State School Systems

• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part B mandates that preschoolers, children and youth be provided with an appropriate, free public education, which includes special education, related services and supplementary aids. May include AT.
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a civil rights law that requires accommodation for students with disabilities. Includes removal of barriers to education which may include the use of AT. Denies federal funding for institutions that discriminate against students with disabilities.
• Most programs and services require an Individualized Education Program for the student that indicates a need for AT to achieve an appropriate and free public education.
• In many cases, schools may provide equipment for use on campus, but either cannot or may not supply equipment for use at home.

• Private insurance - Funding of AT depends on wording of policy. Usually it must be deemed "medically necessary". If not specifically excluded, AT funding should be requested.
• Medicare, Medicaid - These programs require that assistive technology is "medically necessary" in order to provide funding. Usually covers items such as prosthetic appliances, but not computers. Varies from state to state.

• In some states, individuals who become disabled, or whose disabilities worsen, while at work may be eligible for AT equipment and training for work or home.

• Federal agencies hire many new employees with disabilities and provide AT and training for both new employees and those who become disabled while employed at the agency.
• Private employers may be willing to provide AT equipment and training for an individual who is a good candidate for a particular position. The value of having the right employee with loyalty, a good work ethic, specialized skills or knowledge outweighs the initial expense for AT.

• Many state vocational rehabilitation agencies will fund AT and training if justified by an Individualized Work-Related Plan (IWRP) for individuals who are planning on joining the work force or otherwise becoming financially independent.

• Disabled recipients set aside their own funds for education, equipment or services needed to work with a Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS). With a PASS, an individual receiving SSDI may become eligible for SSI, as SSDI funds have been allocated for AT equipment and services, and are not available for living expenses.
• Impairment-Related Work Expense (IRWE) allows an individual to continue receiving benefits if the IRWE reduces income below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Test. IRWE may include education, services or equipment necessary to work.
• "Ticket to Work" is a federal program that funds state vocational rehabilitation agencies or designated "employment networks" to provide services to SSA beneficiaries to enable them to work. The individual gets a "ticket" that is given to the chosen agency or employment network to initiate services. Will be nationwide by January 2004.

• The VA may provide assistive technology as part of its Independent Living Services for veterans planning on returning to work, as well as counseling and employment planning.

• Non-profit disability organizations may supply or help fund AT or training. Examples of this type of organization include National Easter Seal Society, March of Dimes, Muscular Dystrophy Association, United Way, United Cerebral Palsy Association, and the Braille Institute.
• Local Community Service clubs often focus on assisting individuals with particular disabilities. Examples of community service clubs that are known to assist certain disabled individuals include: Lions Club, Masons, Grotto, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Elks Club, Rotary Club, Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus and Soroptomists. (By "certain," we mean that some clubs traditionally assist a particular disability group such as the Lions' historic assistance to blind children and adults; in any case, all these civic clubs have their own traditions and rules that have to be investigated on a local basis.)
• Other Community organizations that may provide money or time to assist individuals or groups with disabilities include churches, labor unions, high school and college student organizations, and special interest groups such as hobbyist clubs.
• Community groups and the media may also assist by organizing fund raising events, rather than donating money directly.

• Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 provides federally funded competitive grants for Tech Act states to provide access to AT, including information and referral, and in some cases, loans for purchasing equipment. In California, this role is provided by California Assistive Technology System (CATS) via Dept. of Rehabilitation.
• Other grants, awards, or scholarships are often available from community or philanthropic organizations and foundations to assists individuals with disabilities in acquiring AT. Many corporations have foundations that exist solely to help people reach their goals through financial assistance.

• Loans may be in the form of funding money to purchase equipment or a loan of equipment itself.
• Low interest monetary loans may be available through programs from government agencies or community organizations, as well as banks. A monetary loan may make sense for someone who expects to be earning income as a result of developing job skills or who will be starting a business through use of assistive technology.
• Equipment loans may be available from local independent living centers, clinics, or AT manufacturers.

AT Funding Check List

If you are seeking funding from the state or federal government, a non-profit group, or insurance company, you should prepare a package of written information for each funding source you are applying to. The following list is typical of the types of information you will be expected to provide to many funding sources.

• An employment or educational plan
• A brief personal history including a description including time of onset and cause of each disability you have
• Any letters, medical reports, statements, certifications or prescriptions from a doctor needed for documentation of your disability
• A résumé outlining your education and work or volunteer experience, if applicable
• Gross family income and monthly expenses
• Information about your health insurance
• Names, relationships and ages for any dependents you have
• A description of the assistive technology services or equipment you think you need
• An explanation of why these services or equipment will help you achieve your employment or educational plan

• Use the telephone directory or call directory assistance to get the local contact information for your state vocational rehabilitation or SSA office, independent living center, non-profit disability organization, or community service group. (Some names are listed in this document.) Call or write to these sources to see if they have any appropriate programs for your situation or if they can refer you to another organization that does.
• Internet search engines or guides can provide a variety of resources. A search from one popular search engine using the term "funding assistive technology" yielded over 64,000 links. Try including your community or state name in your search to narrow down the results.

The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) Grants & Funding

ABLEDATA's Links to Projects in States Funded by the Tech Act of 1988

California Assistive Technology System (CATS) Assistive Technology Loan Guarantee Program (only for CA)

Veterans Administration, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services

Social Security Administration Office of Employment Support Programs

Quick Links and FAQs regarding Assistive Technology from The Trace Research & Development Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison (this web page includes links to assistive technology vendors by disability type and by product type)

Directory of National Fellowships, Internships and Scholarships for Latino Youth (directory is in PDF format & requires Adobe Acrobat)

Publications ¹

inancial Aid for Hispanic Americans 2001-2003. By Gail Ann Schlachter and R. David Weber. El Dorado Hills, CA: Reference Service Press, 2001. 471 p. (GIC: LB/2338/F5645/2001-2003)

Describes nearly 1,400 funding opportunities available to Hispanic Americans of every educational level - persons whose origins are from Mexico, Central America, Puerto Rico, Cuba, or other Latin American countries. Includes 1,300 financial aid opportunities for study, research, creative activities, professional development, work experience, and more, from more nearly 800 private and public funding organizations. Arranged by type of assistance - scholarships, fellowships, loans, awards, or internships - and indexed by residency, tenability, subject, deadline filing dates, and more. An annotated bibliography of other directories is featured following the text.

2002 National Directory of Scholarships, Internships, and Fellowships for Latino Youth. Washington, DC: National Hispanic Caucus Institute, 2002. 137 p.
Describes scholarships, fellowships, and internships available to Latino students and young professionals to finance higher educational opportunities or "enhance professional experience with leadership development opportunities."

Bibliography

"Family Guide to Assistive Technology," Parents, Let's Unite for Kids (PLUK) in cooperation with The Federation for Children with Special Needs, Ed. Katharin A. Kelker, Ed.D. 1997. http://www.pluk.org/AT1.html

"Informed Consumer's Guide to Funding Assistive Technology" ABLEDATA, Auth. Anjanette Daigle, et al, 2001. http://www.abledata.com/text2/funding.htm

Office of Employment Support Programs, Social Security Administration. 2002. http://www.ssa.gov/work

Veterans Administration, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services. 2002. http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/index.htm

"Funding and Grant Resources," Synapse Adaptive, 2002 http://www.synapseadaptive.com/Links/funding_resources.htm

¹ University of Wisconsin - Madison Grant Information Center, 2002 http://www.library.wisc.edu/libraries/Memorial/grants/populat.htm

Please note: Organizations and programs listed in this document are provided as examples only and are not endorsed or recommended by the authors for any particular situation. The reader is encouraged to seek additional information.

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