Rural Housing Repair and Rehabilitation Loans & Grants
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development's Rural Housing Program, offers up to $7,500 to make dwellings accessible for household members, age 62 or older, with a disability in rural areas. Get details online http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/sfh/brief_repairgrant.htm or call (202) 720-4323.

Financial Aid Demystified for Students with Disabilities
The HEATH Resource Center of George Washington University's Graduate School of Education and Human Development produces an annual financial assistance resource guide that includes information to help people with disabilities get financial aid for post-secondary education. The 18-page guide covers all the basics, from grants and loans, to work-study and scholarships. It covers disability-related topics such as what counts as disability-related expenses, how vocational rehabilitation and financial aid work together, and how Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) fits into the picture. It also contains a list of financial assistance sources and a financial aid checklist.

Assistive Technology Fund Available for Blind People
The Association of Blind Citizens has a new Assistive Technology Fund that provides funds to individuals needing adaptive devices or software to increase independence and opportunities for employment. They will pay 50% of the retail costs if the cost of the equipment is between $200 and $6000.

In order to be eligible for these funds, your family income must be less than $50,000 and you must have less than $20000 in cash assets. If you are selected by the committee to receive the grant, you will be asked to provide financial documents to the Assistive Technology Committee. You also must be a resident of the US and legally blind.

To apply, e-mail the form on the website which also has more detailed information on the application process. You also must supply them with a 500-word description of what you would like to purchase and how it will help you in employment and independence.

PASS Plan for Your Future
A plan for achieving self-support, or PASS, allows people with disabilities who want to work, or start their own business, to plan for their future. A PASS lets you set aside money and/or other things you own to help you reach your goal. For example, you could set aside money to start a business, go to school or get training for a job.

Your goal must be a job that will produce sufficient earnings to reduce your dependency on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. A PASS is meant to help you acquire those items, services or skills you need so that you can compete with other persons for an entry-level job in a professional, business or trade environment. If you have graduated from college or a trade/technical school, you are usually considered capable of obtaining such a position without the assistance of a PASS.

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