Funding of Assistive Technology |
General AT Funding Overview
The range of the Assistive Technology categories, devices, strategies and need is extremely wide. The array of funding options is also quite wide and diverse. Because many of the high tech options are expensive, the funding of AT is problematic. Also, the different funding sources may be federal or state government entities, private financial institutions, non-profit organizations, service groups, local school districts, etc. the vast and varied rules and regulations can make the search for funding appear too be overwhelming.
It is important to know:
- There are laws that require governement entities to provide AT funding in certain situations. These laws may be beneficial to you.
- There are varying programs that assist people that need AT at different times in their life.
- There are organizations that voluntarily are trying to assist persons with AT needs
Funding Options
For Adults 18+
Medicaid
Medicaid is a national health care program. It is funded by the federal government but adminsitered by the state governments. It helps pay for medical services for low-income people.Title XIX of the Social Security Act provides for payment fo some equipment or services from home health agencies, orthotist, prosthetist, home medical equipment suppliers, audiologists, etc. Information about Medicaid can be found at the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services' Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services website.
Medicare
Title XVII of the Social Security Act provides Medicare Part B coverage for some durable medical equipment and /supplies not covered under Part A. Some examples of AT devices covered under Part B are: durable medical equipment such wheelchairs and walkers and devices such as orthotics and prosthetics. Information about Medicaid can be found at the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services' Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services website.
Social Security Disability Insurance
SSDI is designed to give workers added protection against loss of income due to disability. However SSDI does not provide direct funding of assistive technology.
PASS Through the development of a Plan to Achieve Self-Support under the SSI program, it is possible to have funds set aside for assistive technology in a way that will not count against income eligibility for SSI. The cost of AT devices may be deductible from earnings if the unreimbursed cost of these items are related to Impairment Related Work Expenses.
Worker’s Compensation
Worker’s Comp laws vary from state to state. Workman's compensation insurance may assist with the purchase of AT if the disability is the result of an accident that occurred on the job. For more information look on the state goverment website for your state.
Private Insurance
If the disabilty is the result of an accident, there may be potential AT funding via private insurance policies.
Vocational Rehabilitation
The Vocational Rehab Act of 1973 and later amendments provide for every state to have a VR department. The department can provide the funding of AT necessary for the client to have a productive work environment. Check out the Voc Rehab department in your state.
Independent Living
The Rehab Act of 1973 and later amendments provide for every state to have an IL department. The department can provide the funding of AT necessary for the client to have the ability to live an independent lifestyle.
Veterans Administration
Title 38 of the US code provides benefits for veterans of the military. The type of benefits for the disabled vary widely depending on whether the disability is "service related" or "non-service related". For more information, contact one of the many Veterans' services organizations or check out the official VA web site.
For Children Under 18
Special Education
The Education for all Handicapped Persons Act, Public Law 94-142, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Public Law 101-476 guarantee that public school systems must provide educate their students with special needs. This includes the provision of necessary Assistive Technology.
Service Clubs and Organizations
Organizations such as Easter Seals, United Way, Lions Club International, the March of Dimes and may have assistance programs for funding AT. Some local and state organizations may take on a "fundraising project" in specific cases.
Disability Specific Organizations
Organizations such as the Muscular Dystropy Association, United Cerebral Palsey or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and others typically have assistance programs. Check for local or state chapters of these organizations.
Advocacy Groups
On the local level there are many advocacy groups that provide assistance to persons with disabilities. Many of these organizations assist with funding for AT devices, home modifications, AT assessments, etc.
Foundation Grants
Many foundations have funding assist grants to help with AT purchases. Typically these foundations target specific disability areas.
AT Alternative Financing
RESNA (the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America) sponsors a loan program for the purchase of AT. Check out your local state Tech Act Project website for information about the availability of this program in your state. See list here.
Loans from Private Banks
Although banks would hesitate to loan money with AT devices as collateral, there are some aspects of the Federal Reserve Regulations, Regulation Z: the Truth in Lending Law and Regulation B: the Anti-Descrimination Law that might assist user in acquiring a loan for the purchase of AT.
Valuable Info about AT Funding
An excellent overview of AT funding sources from the Trace
Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Financing
Assistive Technology: Handbook for Funding
A guide to planning the search for AT funding with links to all of the state Tech Ach projects from ABLEDATA, sponsored by NIDRR,the National Instinstitute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research . Informed Consumer's Guide to Funding Assistive Technology
For an in depth study of funding of AT from the Neighborhood
Legal Services. This document focuses on Voc-Rehab agencies.
State Vocational
Rehabilitation Agencies and Their Obligation to Maximize Employment
An AT funding guide from the University of Washington.
Paying
for the Assistive Technology You Need
From the Family Center on Technology and Disability
a part of their excellent Family Information Guide, Section
3: Funding Assistive Technolgy
A guide for school age funding ideas from the Journal of
Special Education Technolgy
Building
An Initial Information Base: Assistive Technology Funding Resources for
School-Aged Students with Disabilities
From NECTAC,the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance
Center
Funding
Sources
From disabilityinfo.gov some very good information about
government grants.
Grants
and Funding
A great site with a lot of info from the Disability Funders Network
Info from C-C-D, the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities
Financial
Loan Programs for People with Disabilities
From United Cerebral Palsy
Frequently
Asked Questions on Assistive Technology FundVA web siteing
Info on federal funding in general from the Michigan State
University Libraries
Federal
Funding Tools and Links
Good info on foundation funding from the University of
Delaware
Internet
Resources for Foundations and Grants
From the Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service
Practical
Funding for Assistive Technology: Getting the Device You Really Need