Assistive Technology Funding

Many of the funding inquiries received by the Job Accommodation Network deal with assistive technology.  While a lot of assistive technology (AT) solutions can be very simple, the cost of some AT can be surprisingly high.  Sometimes the best or the only way to fund the purchase of AT is by relying on more than one source.  Additional funding for assistive technology might include: the U.S. veterans Administration,
the Social Security Administration's PASS (Plan To Achieve Self-Support) program, your state's workers' compensation program if the disability was caused by a work-related injury, non-profit disability organizations, and civic or service organizations
(Lions Club, VFW, Rotary Club, etc.).

Additional public/private funding sources are also available through various resources. You may access a specific list of funding resources from JAN's web
site at:
http://www.jan.wvu.edu/links/funding.htm.

Washington Assistive Technology Alliance Funding Manual

The Washington Assistive Technology Alliance publication entitled PAYING FOR THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY YOU NEED A CONSUMER GUIDE TO FUNDING SOURCES IN WASHINGTON STATE was prepared by the University of Washington Center for Technology and Disability Studies to increase access to assistive technology for people with disabilities in Washington State.

The purpose of this manual is to give consumers and their advocates sufficient information and guidance to pursue appropriate avenues for funding, to provide helpful hints to make the process more likely to be successful, and to provide resources for additional information.  The manual does not attempt to answer every question concerning AT funding, but rather to provide sufficient information for the consumer or consumer advocate to successfully advocate for AT in each of the systems addressed.  The manual focusses on obtaining AT funding under the major funding sources for assistive technology.  It is not possible to provide an exhaustive description of the rules and regulations for all funding sources because available sources and their specific rules regarding AT purchase are continually changing.

Click here http://uwctds.washington.edu/resources/legal/funding%20manual/index.htm to go directly to the AT funding manual.

RESNA:  Alternative Financing Technical Assistance Project

The Alternative Financing Technical Assistance Project is a sponsored project of RESNA, the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America.  This includes Alternative Financing Programs funded under Title III of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-394) and Access to Telework Loan programs funded under the New Freedom Initiative.

Alternative Financing Programs offer more than affordable access to assistive technology for people with disabilities. These federal-state loan programs open doorways to enhanced participation in family and community life, education, employment and health care for individuals with disabilities by expanding options for obtaining and, ultimately, using assistive technology.  If a person with a disability needs to purchase assistive technology (AT) such as a wheelchair or other mobility device, a specialized computer, home accessibility modifications, or an adapted car or van, these items may be out of reach because of their high costs. Other potential sources of AT financing, including health insurance, vocational rehabilitation programs or conventional bank loans, often are pursued by individuals with disabilities but many times provide little or no assistance because of funding limitations or eligibility.  The Alternative Financing Program (AFP), authorized under Title III of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, was designed to help people with disabilities overcome these financial obstacles to accessing assistive technology.  With the AFP, many people with disabilities can qualify for and receive low cost loans to purchase AT devices or services.  The AFP is administered by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services in the U.S. Department of Education under Title III of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (AT Act).

Click here http://www.resna.org/AFTAP/index.html to get more information on the Alternative Financing Technical Assistance Project.

To get information on Washington State's AT and Telework Financial Loan Programs, contact:
Washington Loan Program (AFP, Telework)
Washington Assistive Technology Foundation
1823 East Madison, Suite 1000
Seattle, WA 98122
Loan Program Manager: Andrea Dimond
PHONE: 206/328-5116
TTY: 800/214-8731
FAX: 206/328-5126
EMAIL: andrea@watf.org
WEBSITE:
www.watf.org