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TECHNOLOGY LOANS, GIVEAWAYS, AND FUNDING
The information below pertains to assistive technology loans, funding assistance, and giveaways that are currently available. This information is subject to change, so please use the websites to confirm availability.
ABLEDATA
8630 Fenton Street, Suite 930
Silver Spring, MD 20910
800/227-0216 or 301/608-8998
URL: www.abledata.com
ABLEDATA is a federally-funded project whose primary mission is to provide information on assistive technology and rehabilitation equipment available from domestic and international sources to consumers, organizations, professionals, and caregivers within the United States.
Association of Blind Citizens
atf@assocofblindcitizens.org
www.assocofblindcitizens.org/assistive.html
PROGRAM: Assistive Technology Fund
SUMMARY: The Association of Blind Citizens has established the Assistive Technology Fund to cover 50% of the retail price of adaptive devices or software. The ABC's board of directors believes that this program will provide blind and visually impaired individuals access to technology products that will have a significant impact on improving employment opportunities, increase the level of independence and enhance their overall quality of life. The products covered by this program must retail for a minimum of $200 with a maximum retail price of $6,000. Persons eligible to apply for assistance must have a family income of less than $50,000 and cash assets of less than $20,000. Applicants must be legally blind and a resident of the United States to qualify for this program. Applications must be submitted by June 30th, September 30th and December 31st for each grant period (three per year).
DEADLINE: Open
Washington Assistive Technology Foundation
1823 East Madison, Ste. 1000
Seattle, WA 98122
206-328-5116 Voice
1-800-214-8731 TTY / Voice
Email: INFO@watf.org
www.watf.org
Low Interest Loans for Assistive Technology
Loan application materials and CCTV rental information can be obtained by calling the office and/or visiting the website.
Shirley A. Smith Scholarship Grants
Department of Services for the Blind
www.dsb.wa.gov
The Shirley A. Smith scholarships/grants are awarded and managed by the Washington Assistive Technology Foundation (WATF).
Grants are awarded in amounts not to exceed $1,500. To be considered, an applicant must be a legal resident of Washington State, eligible for vocational rehabilitation services with DSB, and a high school senior who will graduate the year that the scholarship application is submitted.
Due: November 1, 2005
Washington State School for the Blind Foundation
Provides grants to support the Washington State School for the Blind and individuals and organizations to improve educational and employment opportunities for people who are visually impaired. Application can be downloaded from website at: http://www.wssb.org/SchoolFoundation.asp.
Opportunities for the Blind, Inc.
PO Box 510
Leonardtown, MD 20650
Phone: 301-475-5312
Opportunities for the Blind provides equipment grants (in addition to scholarships) to help individuals who are blind or visually impaired purchase devices for employment or educational purposes.
http://www.opportunitiesfortheblind.org/info.htm
Prospective applicants must first submit an eligibility form or call 1-240-420-6500 between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Monday-Friday Eastern Time to schedule an eligibility interview.
Application Deadlines: February 15th; May 15th; August 15th & November 1st
Braille Institute
Attn.: Adam
Phone: 323-906-3130
http://www.brailleinstitute.org/LatestNews/FreedomScientificScholarship.htm
Win JAWS or MAG-ic! The Braille Institute and Freedom Scientific will award four lucky high school graduates either a copy of JAWS or MAG-ic this year.
Applications are posted in January and due by March 2006. Eligibility and other information can be found on the above listed website.
Samara’s Foundation for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Jodi
Phone: 509-886-1055
Eligibility: You must live in Chelan or Douglas County and be blind or visually impaired. The grants cover all equipment except glasses.
Funding amounts and number of grants awarded vary.
Beaumont Foundation of America
P.O. Box 1855
Beaumont, TX 77701
Phone: 1-866-546-2667 (toll-free)
Fax 409-813-1816
URL: http://www.bmtfoundation.com
Eligibility may change; please check website.
Washington Assistive Technology Alliance (WATA)
Phone: 800-217-8431
Email: uwat@u.washington.edu
URL: http://wata.org
Direct Services Provided: hands-on device demonstration and short-term loans of assistive technology (AT) devices in order to assist individuals to make decisions about the devices they need. They have a broad range of AT available across disability, and are adding more devices.
They offer this at their location in Seattle (UW CHDD) and routinely at various locations around the state on request. People should just ask for what they need, and WATA will try to make it happen.
Device reutilization: WATA has computer recycling, which is going to be offered shortly through a subcontract with Easter Seals. They will also shortly be offering an ebay-like system for exchanging used devices.
Financial loans: WATA offers this in partnership with WA Assistive Technology Foundation. These are low interest loans particularly geared to meet the needs of low income borrowers.
CCTV Loan Program: also offered in partnership with WATF to provide CCTV's on sliding fee scale for long term rent.