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Funding
Sources, Programs, and Ideas
Assistive Technology of Minnesota - non-profit providing access to assist of equipment & services for all ages & disabilities

Many can find financial assistance in purchasing most of Broadened Horizons solutions with a little effort and resourcefulness.  If you are working with any organization and need some help or ideas towards making your case of why you need these solutions, please don't hesitate to contact us.  In all of the examples provided below, written, persistent, self advocacy backed by explanation and examples goes a long way.  Few organizations respond to requests that are not written or otherwise formally documented.  Provide copies of your written request to multiple individuals at a few different levels within the organization.

Your Employer - By law, employers must make reasonable accommodations that will make their employees productive in their jobs both at home and the workplace.   
The Head Mouse Controller with Switch Adapted Clicking Packages or No-Grip Computer Mouse are the ultimate productivity enhancers providing computer users more efficient and responsive control of the mouse.  They are more powerful combined with the New Wireless 100' (30m) USB Voice-Recognition Microphone & Skype Phone with Dragon NaturallySpeaking voice-recognition software to replace and speed up keyboarding.
The Comfort Carrier is indispensable to a wheelchair user who must travel for their work and when in the office serves as a evacuation/emergency preparedness fire and disaster safety device.
The Vocalize! Wheelchair Cell Phone Voice Control System allows an employee to be more productive, makes it easier to contact the employee, and for the employee to stay in touch with the office.  It even handles scheduling and reminders by voice control!
The PowerCheq Mobile Power Kit and 3rd Hand Mounts is the ultimate productivity enhancement making it possible for the employee to take their laptop/tablet/microcomputer to meetings, through the plant, or even home to get caught up on the backlog while enjoying the backyard patio.  Users of Adaptive/Alternative Communication Devices never have to worry about running out of power and not being able to communicate.

Your School - For school age children, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and its Individualized Education Program (IEP) process provide for the acquisition of assistive technology. For more information on IDEA, visit the FAPE Web site: www.fape.org.  Most schools have resources to help with needed adaptive technologies for disabled students.  The computer is the ultimate education, employment, and communication tool for the disabled.  
The Vocalize Voice Control Cell Phone System allows the student to communicate with classmates and teachers on projects, provides additional independence and resulting confidence to call for help when necessary within the school, and getting to and from school.
The Comfort Carrier opens new opportunities to recreational and extracurricular activities, often specially adapted sports through other organizations that the school is incapable of offering.  The Comfort Carrier makes it possible to travel with other students to extracurricular activities and events in otherwise inaccessible buses and demands without having to be segregated.

Your Local Church & Community Organizations - Best results are often obtained from those who know you and will see personally what a difference their support makes.  They can also serve as your advocate with others.  Write a letter describing what you need, why you need their help, and provide examples of how the solution(s) will be used and make a difference in your life and the lives of those around you.  Offer to speak to their organization if you can or even participate in/support their fund-raising efforts.

 Government

Veterans Administration will often fund solutions that improve and make the lives of those who have served more independent and more fulfilling.  This directly describes and includes all products offered by Broadened Horizons, depending on the veteran's disability and expressed desires.
Department of Vocational Rehabilitation in each state will help those seeking employment or secondary education with their goal towards employment.  Since Broadened Horizons is owned and operated by an individual with a disability, we are a preferred vendor with most state and national governmental organizations.  All of our equipment has been funded by Vocational Rehabilitation at one time or another as long as it applied to a vocational or educational goal.
Assistive Technology Act or Tech Act program in each  state.  These programs were set up to provide information about assistive technology to its residents. They will have information about equipment trial/loan centers, low cost computers, micro loans, vouchers, and more.
Telephone Equipment Distribution Program in many states will supply adapted/accessible telephone equipment or in some cases help pay for it.  often their focus is on land line telecommunications services, but contact your state's program to find out policies regarding cell phone technology or request special consideration as this is the only way change takes place.  Some States such as Texas' STAP program, and North Dakota's IPAT program

Information on each State's program will be added below as we are able to obtain it.  Those in bold have have a voucher program that may help pay for cell phone equipment such as our wheelchair integrated Vocalize completely Voice Controlled Cell Phone System.  Those that list Landline Only can sometimes be swayed by self advocacy and explanation why the desired equipment is necessary if not offered.
Alabama - No Distribution Program
Alaska
Arkansas Relay - All disabilities. Landline Phones. 501 686-9693 V/TTY
Colorado
Connecticut - Text Telephone Loan Program 860-242-4974 (V/TTY)
Delaware :: No Distribution Program
District of Columbia :: No Distribution Program
Florida - No Support for Mobility Impairments
Hawaii - TRS 808-546-4611 (V)
Idaho
Iowa
Kansas Telecommunications Access Program (TAP) - All disabilities.  Might be possible to use voucher in obtaining Vocalize system.  (785) 234-0200 (Voice) (785) 234-0207 (TTY)
Louisiana
Maine Center on Deafness Telephone Equipment Program (MCD TEP) - Program available to all disabilities. Might be possible to use Cost-Sharing Program in obtaining Vocalize system.
Maryland Accessible Telecommunications (MAT) - All disabilities.  Might be possible to use in obtaining Vocalize system.  Be sure certifying professional specifies the "Vocalize wheelchair integrated, completely Voice Controlled Cell Phone System".
Michigan
Minnesota Telephone Equipment Distribution (TED) - All Disabilities, Landline Only
Mississippi - Project S.T.A.R.T. 601-987-4872 (V/TTY)
MissouriTelecommunications Access Program for Internet (TAP-I) - All Disabilities, basic computer access such as specialized mouse
Montana Telecommunications Access Program (MTAP) - All Disabilities, Liberal but no Cell Phone (does not say anything about equipment to access a cell phone?)
Nebraska - 402-471-0225 (V) 402-471-0213 (TTY)
Nevada Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advocacy Resource Centers (DHHARC) - No Mobility? Telephone Equipment Distribution Program "Coming Soon"
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York - No Distribution Program
North Carolina Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program (TEDP) - No Mobility, Landline Only.  919-773-2994 (TTY) 800-999-5737 (V/TTY)
North Dakota's IPAT program - Person working in program said it should be possible to use voucher to obtain a Vocalize System.  701-328-8950 (V) 701-328-8968 (TTY)
Ohio : No Distribution Program
Oklahoma - 1-866-309-1717 VTTY 405-522-7930 VTTY (now located in Sulphur, OK)
Oregon Telecommunications Devices Access Program (TDAP) - All Disabilities.  Explicitly states program "purchases and loans...voice activated cellular phones" such as the Vocalize system.
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island Adaptive Telephone Equipment Program - All Disabilities, Possibly landline only but not specified?  401-276-0875 (voice/relay) 401-861-6677 (TDD)
South Dakota Telecommunication Equipment Distribution Program (TEDP) - No service for Mobility Impairments.  605-773-4547 (TTY) 605-773-3195 (V)
Utah Relay - No service for Mobility Impairments
Vermont Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program (VT-EDP) - All Disabilities. Up to $750 available "to purchase equipment approved by the program".  Should be possible to use funds in obtaining Vocalize system.
Vermont Opportunities Independence Fund offers affordable loans for the purchase of Assistive Technology.  800-865-8328
Virginia Technology Assistance Program (TAP) - No service for Mobility Impairments.
Washington Telecommunications Equipment Distribution (TED) - No service for Mobility Impairments.
West Virginia
Wisconsin - up to $1500 "to purchase approved equipment" including Vocalize system or Professional Infrared Speakerphone controlled by VoiceIR.
Wyoming Relay Service - No service for Mobility Impairments.

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[Other] Assistive Technology Resources
by Tom Morales, Projects Manager
Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) for FCTD

The amazing advancements in technology have opened many doors of possibility in all of our lives. This is particularly true for people with disabilities. However, these are the same people that have the most to lose by not having access to technology. One of the many aspects of the Digital Divide is that technology, and particularly computer technology can be unaffordable for people who live on a limited or fixed income and the community based organizations that endeavor to help them.

It is important to note that there are several resources across the country that offer low cost or no cost options for someone who cannot walk into their local computer superstore and purchase a system that will meet their needs. The following resources will provide some of the available alternatives for individuals or organizations that are seeking to obtain critical technologies from computers to hearing aids to walkers.

Individuals - Computer Technology

Nearly every community has resources in it for obtaining technology. It may take some creativity and patience, but with some persistence, these "hidden treasures" can be found. Organizations such as the Elks, Lions, Civitan and religious groups are good folks to contact. They are usually eager to help those right in their own backyard.

The best way to tap into these resources is to make personal contact if you happen to know anyone in one of these organizations. If not, a well-constructed letter, describing what you need, why you need it and how it will benefit you is the next best way to get your foot in the door. Including photos with the letter would be a plus.
The local business community can also be another excellent source of reliable, highly usable technology. Local accountants, real estate agents, banks, and manufacturing enterprises all use computers. The increasingly sophisticated software programs being used in these fields require them to upgrade their systems fairly frequently. They would rather see their still useful equipment go to a good "home" rather than end up in a dumpster.

Many Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) Resource Centers take donations of used computers, refurbish them and distribute them to adults with disabilities and families of children with disabilities.

Local Elks Club Lodges provide financial assistance to young people with disabilities, including college scholarships.

Some Easter Seals centers also provide technology services and equipment.

Lions Clubs International serves people throughout the world. Globally, Lions Clubs are known for their commitment to blindness prevention and to serving young people. Contact your local Lions Club for information about their programs.

Disabled Children's Relief Fund (DCRF) is a non-profit organization that provides disabled children with assistance in obtaining everything from wheelchairs, orthopedic braces, walkers, hearing aids and eyeglasses, to physical therapy, and surgery. You can find out more about their program at: .

The DCRF grants modest awards for assistive devices, rehabilitative services, arts and humanities projects, or for efforts to bolster compliance with existing laws for the benefit of children with disabilities. Families (parent or guardian) may submit applications for an individual child and non-profit organizations may apply on behalf of a small group of children. They focus special attention on helping children throughout the U.S. that do not have adequate health insurance, especially the physically challenged.

Grant applications are available by writing:
Disabled Children's Relief Fund
P.O. Box 7420
Freeport, New York 11520

Other Possibilities
The above listings should be pursued to their fullest before seeking out other sources of funding for assistive technology. An excellent online handbook that contains information on assistive technology funding sources such as Medicaid, private health insurance, Social Security etc.

For those who "fall between the cracks", there are national organizations that provide assistance anywhere in the country.  A variety of organizations help people buy and sell their USED medical equipment.

The Starlight Children's Foundation has enhanced the lives of countless children and their families by granting wishes and providing state-of-the-art audiovisual entertainment. They provide services to seriously, chronically and terminally ill children, aged 4 through 18 years.

Many ATA Resource Centers maintain assistive technology lending libraries. Items they lend include adapted toys; augmentative and alternative communication devices; software and assistive technology devices.

The Make-a-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

Organizations - Computer Technology
There are many grants available throughout the country that will help organizations obtain computers and other technologies. However, these grant opportunities can be very competitive and usually involve complex application processes. There is at least one national organization that is trying to make the acquisition of technology simple and affordable.

The National Cristina Foundation (NCF) provides computer technology and solutions to give people with disabilities, students at risk and economically disadvantaged persons the opportunity to lead more independent and productive lives. Equipment donations can be directed only to qualified organizations that have been declared exempt under Internal Revenue Code 501 (c)(3) or are a public agency. Priority is given to organizations responsible for fostering the training of people with special needs in educational or training environments. Grants of equipment to their NCF Network partner organizations are based on availability. They do not contribute directly to individuals.  NCF only provides support and equipment to their network of grassroots partners. Anyone interested in becoming a partner must complete a grant application. You can find an application at:  

Search for Adaptive Technology Resources at the Family Center on Technology and Disability
They have a wonderful database that's very easy to search.





                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
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