This document provides information on various sources of funding for assistive technology devices and services. It discusses organizations like RESNA and the Department of Veterans Affairs that provide assistance. Federal and state programs through the Department of Education and vocational rehabilitation services also offer funding. Advocacy groups at both the local and national level work to fund assistive technology. Grants are available through various government offices and agencies. Additional potential sources of funding include private organizations, corporations, manufacturers, worker's compensation, and loans.

1. Larry F. Cobb
APT 507
Assistive
Technology
HOW TO FUND ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY DEVICES
AND SERVICE

2. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF SOURCES FOR
FUNDING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
 Organizations
 Federal and State Programs
 Advocacy Groups
 Grants

3. ORGANIZATIONS
Funding for Assistive Technology can be found both in publ ic and
private sources
 Disability-focused organizations operate nationwide to share
information and resources on specific disabilities. Quite of ten
these national organizations have state and local chapters.

4. ORGANIZATIONS
RESNA, Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive
Technology Society of North America of fers several
programs for members and for the assistive technology
professional community at large.
The RESNA Catalyst Project is funded to provide assistance to the AT
Act Grantees to assist them in increasing awareness, access,
acquisi tion and advocacy to assistive technology (AT) devices and
ser vices for consumers wi th disabi l i ties of al l ages. The project works
wi th the 56 statewide AT programs, the 57 protect ion and advocacy
for AT programs, and the 39 al ternative financing programs. I t also
works wi th 19 access to telework financial loan programs.

5. ORGANIZATIONS
US Depar tment of Veteran Af fairs
 For Veterans-You may receive vocational rehabi l i tation and
employment services to help wi th job training, employment
accommodations, resume development , and job seeking ski l ls
coaching. Other services may be provided to assist Veterans in
star ting thei r own businesses or independent l iving services for
those who are severely disabled and unable to work in tradi tional
employment.
 For Ser vice members and Veterans - VA's Educat ion and Career
Counsel ing program is a great oppor tuni ty for Ser vice members and
Veterans to get personal ized counsel ing and suppor t to help guide
thei r career paths, ensure the most ef fect ive use of thei r VA
benefi ts, and achieve thei r goals.

6. ORGANIZATIONS
 Nat ional and local organizations and ser vice clubs. International and
nat ional organizations such as Easter Seals, Uni ted Way, Lions Club
International , March of Dimes, Kiwanis and may have assistance
programs for funding AT. Some local and state organizations may
a l s o t a k e o n a “ f u n d r a i s i n g p r o j e c t ” i n s p e c i f i c c a s e s .
 Local organizat ions such as Knights of Columbus , local Lions Clubs
and fai th-based organizations wi l l of ten cont r ibute funds and/or
organize fundraisers to assist in the provision of AT devices for
individuals who l ive in thei r areas. A l ist ing of these clubs can be
f o u n d i n yo u r te l e p h o n e d i r e c to r y a n d b y s e a r c h i n g f o r “ l o c a l s e r v i c e
o r g a n i z a t i o n s ” f o r yo u r l o c a l e o n t h e i n te r n e t .
 Assistive Technology Related Organizations also provide some
needed assistance.

7. FEDERAL AND STATE PROGRAMS
The Department of Education hosts a number of
programs that provide funding for Assistive
Technology through the Office of Special
Education and Rehabilitative Services
 The Nat ional Inst i tute for on Disabi l i ty and Rehabi l i tation Research
 Of fice of Special Educat ion Programs
 Rehabi l i tat ion Ser vices Administration
 Race to the Top Fund
 Cl ient Assistance Program

8. FEDERAL AND STATE PROGRAMS
The Assistive Technology Act i s i nte nd ed to p romote p e o p le’ s
awareness of and access to, assistive technology devices and
services. Under the law, each U.S. state and territory receives a
grant to fund an Assistive Technology Act Project (ATA). These
projects provide services to persons with disabilities for their
entire l ife span, as wel l as to their fami l ies or guardians, service
providers, and agencies and other entities that are involved in
providing services such as education and employment to
persons with disabi lities.
For the State of Alabama, see this l ink below.
http://www.rehab.alabama.gov/individuals -and-families/star

9. FEDERAL AND STATE PROGRAMS
Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) – every
state has a federally funded agency that
administers vocational rehabilitation (VR),
supported employment and independent living
services. VRS will often pay for assistive
technology if the technology will enhance the
worker’s ability to prepare for, get or keep a job.

10. ADVOCACY GROUPS
On the local and national levels there are many
advocacy groups that provide assistance to persons
with disabilities. Several of these organizations assist
with funding for AT devices, home modifications, AT
assessments, etc.

11. ADVOCACY GROUP (LOCAL)
Alabama Statewide Assistive Technology Access and Response
Program
 The mission of the Alabama Statewide Assistive Technology
Access and Response (STAR) Program program is to enhance
independence, productivity and qual ity of l i fe for al l
Alabamians with disabil ities through access to assistive
technology devices and services. STAR's services include
Abi lity loans; assistive technology devices and services;
equipment loan program; an information and referral service;
and specialized training programs.

12. ADVOCACY GROUP (NATIONAL)
 Abledata – provides information about assistive technology
products and rehabi l i tation equipment
 Assist ive Technology Act Programs - ATAP was establ ished in
1997 to provide suppor t to state AT Program members to
enhance the ef fectiveness of AT Programs on the state and local
level , and promote the national network of AT Programs. ATAP
faci l i tates the coordination of state AT Programs national ly and
provides technical assistance and suppor t to i ts members. ATAP
represents the needs and interests of the state AT Programs and
is the national voice of the AT Programs.
 Alternat ive Funding Technical Assistance Project- Sponsored by
RESNA this project provides technical assistance to State
Assistive Technology Financial Loan Programs. The websi te is
di rected at state TA projects; however, consumers may want to
check the l ink to state loan programs.

13. GRANTS
Grants are money you don’t have to repay and
are usually based on your financial need.
 Grant programs are avai lable f rom the Of fice of Educat ional
Technology: ht tp://ed.gov/about/of fices/l ist/os/technology/edgra
nts.html
 Formula Grants are avai lable through the Rehabi l i tation Services
Administration. This agency provides grants to states to suppor t
a wide range of services designed to help individuals wi th
disabi l i ties prepare for and engage in gainful employment
consistent wi th thei r strengths, resources, priori ties, concerns,
abi l i ties, capabi l i ties, interests, and informed choice.

14. ADDITIONAL FUNDING SOURCES
 Organizations, pr ivate corporat ions and manufacturers of assist ive
technology are also valuable sources of funding. They may be able
to put you in contact wi th fami l ies who have been successful at
locat ing funding and purchasing equipment. Some nonprofi t groups
and manufacturers sponsor guaranteed loan programs for the
purchase of AT devices whi le others actual ly loan equipment or
computer sof tware.
 Worker 's Compensation may fund AT devices and ser vices for
persons wi th work related injur ies.
 Loans f rom pr ivate banks: Al though banks would hesi tate to loan
money wi th AT devices as col lateral , there are some aspects of the
Federal Reser ve Regulat ions, Regulat ion Z: the Truth in Lending Law
and Regulat ion B: the Ant i -Discr imination Law that might assist a
user in acqui r ing a loan for the purchase of AT.