Funding Fact Sheet: Non-Governmental Resources for Assistive Technology
Foundations, Disability-Specific Organizations, and Civic Organizations
Contents
A-G
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Alzheimer's Family Relief Program
c/o American Health Assistance Foundation
22512 Gateway Center Drive
Clarksburg, MD 20871
Toll-free: 800-437-2423
Voice: 301-948-3244
TTY: 301-963-4990
Fax: 301-258-9454
Web site: www.ahaf.org
Ages Served - Adults
Disability Served - Alzheimer's Disease
Geographical Area Served - Nationwide
The Alzheimer's Family Relief Program (AFRP) is operated by the American Health Assistance Foundation (AHAF). The AFRP may provide emergency grants to individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers on a first-come, first-served basis. The amount of funding available may range up to $750 and is based on an assessment of financial need. The patient's liquid assets cannot exceed $10,000. To qualify for funding, individuals must provide a physician's statement with a diagnosis of "Alzheimer's disease," "probable Alzheimer's Disease" or "dementia of the Alzheimer's type" from their physician. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. More detailed application guidelines are available on the AHAF website, www.ahaf.org/afrp/guide_body.htm) or by telephone or fax
American Red Cross
2025 E. Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
Voice: 202-303-4498
Toll-free: 800-Red-Cross
Web site: www.redcross.org
Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter
2221 Chestnut Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Voice: 215-299-4000
Fax: 215-299-4021
Web site: www.redcross-philly.org
Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter
225 Boulevard of the Allies
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
Voice: 412-263-3100
Fax: 412-263-3175
Web site: www.swpa-redcross.org
Ages Served - All
Disabilities Served - All
Geographical Area Served - Nationwide with local chapters
The American Red Cross may be a source of funding for assistive technology that has been damaged or destroyed due to a fire, natural disaster or other emergency. An assessment team will conduct a site evaluation, and a physician must verify the need for the assistive technology. The process is not long or complicated, and if necessary, authorization for purchase can be given in a matter of minutes. The American Red Cross has many chapters throughout Pennsylvania. Individuals who wish to locate a chapter in their area may call the regional chapter or go to the national website.
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ALS Association
27001 Agoura Road, Suite 150
Calabasas Hills, CA 91301-5104
Voice: 818-880-9007
Fax: 818-880-9006
Web site: www.alsa.org/
Greater Philadelphia Chapter
321 Norristown Road, Suite 260
Ambler, Pennsylvania 19002
Voice: 215-643-5434
Toll-free: 877-GEHRIG-1 (434-7441)
Fax: 215-643-9307
Web site: www.alsphiladelphia.org
Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia Chapter
Landmarks Building, Suite 550
100 W. Station Square Drive
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219
Voice: 412-261-5940
Toll-free Patient Services Line: 800-967-9296
Fax: 412-471-2722
Web site: www.cure4als.org
Ages Served - Adults
Disability Served - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Geographical Areas Served – Nationwide with regional chapters.
The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association (ALSA) provides assistive technology to consumers with ALS through its equipment loan program. Consumers who do not have other resources, such as private insurance, Medical Assistance, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, etc., may borrow durable medical equipment, including augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices and even adapted vehicles until they are no longer needed by the person who has ALS. There is also limited funding available for home modifications for eligible individuals. A special program provides 50% of the costs for certain equipment, if the individual is able to obtain the remainder of the cost from other sources and agrees to return the equipment to the ALS Association when it is no longer needed.
The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter provides services such as AAC evaluations and training. Persons with ALS who have no prior affiliation with the Chapter may require an evaluation by Chapter staff prior to approval for funding or equipment loan. Contact the chapter in your area for more information or to apply for services.
Arthritis Foundation
P.O. Box 7669
Atlanta, GA 30357-0669
Voice: 404-872-7100
Toll-free: 800-568-4045
Web site: www.arthritis.org Western Pennsylvania Chapter
100 West Station Square, Suite 1950
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Voice: 412-566-1645
Toll-free: 800-522-9900
Fax: 412-391-1677
Central Pennsylvania Chapter
3544 North Progress Avenue, Suite 204
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Voice: 717-763-0900
Toll-free: 800-776-0746
Fax: 717-763-0903
Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter
111 S. Independence Mall East, Suite 500
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Voice: 215-574-3060
Toll Free: 800-355-9040
Fax: 215-564-6599
Ages Served - All
Disability Served - Arthritis all types
Geographical Area Served – Nationwide with regional chapters
Based on the availability of funds, the Arthritis Foundation may provide grants toward the purchase or rental of assistive technology devices for individuals with a diagnosis of arthritis. To request funding, contact your regional chapter office and ask for information about funding assistive technology. If funding is available, ask for the guidelines for making a request.
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AUDIENT Alliance for Accessible Hearing Care
AUDIENT Program
901 Boren Avenue, Suite 810
Seattle, WA 98104-3534
Voice: 206-838-7194
Toll-free: 877-AUDIENT (283-4368)
Fax: 206-838-7195
Email: info@audientalliance.org Web site: www.audientalliance.org
Ages Served - All
Disability Served – Hard-of-hearing
Geographical Area Served – Nationwide
The Audient Alliance for Affordable Hearing Care is designed for individuals whose income is above the government's established poverty levels, but still find it difficult to afford quality hearing care. Moderate income individuals can purchase the Lions Affordable Hearing Aid, a fully digital behind the ear (BTE) hearing aid, through AUDIENT. Ask your hearing professional about partnering with AUDIENT or call AUDIENT directly.
In March 2007, single individuals in Pennsylvania could qualify if their annual income was $24,500. An individual in a family of two was income-eligible if the family's annual income was $33,000, and an individual in a family of three was income eligible if the family's annual income was $41,500. For each additional family member, add $8,500.
Income qualified individuals who can benefit from this program must pay $750 for a digital hearing aid for 1 ear or $1,290 for digital hearing aids for both ears. Financing is also available for a small fee. It may be possible to obtain assistance with paying the fee from a local Lions Club, the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation, or other organization included in this list.
The Blind Relief Fund of Philadelphia
551 Walnut Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19128
Voice: 215-483-3888
Fax: 215-487-2024
Email:
Web site: www.blindrelieffund.org
Ages Served - Adults
Disability Served - Blindness
Geographical Area Served - Philadelphia
The Blind Relief Fund of Philadelphia may be a resource for obtaining assistive technology for individuals who are legally or totally blind, live in Philadelphia, and demonstrate severe financial need. The amount of funding provided is based upon individual need and may be used to purchase assistive technology devices such as eyeglasses, canes, and sensory aids. Most individuals served have a monthly income below $600. Contact the agency to request an application.
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Disabled Children's Relief Fund
P.O. Box 89
Freeport, NY 11520
Voice: 516-377-1605
Web site: www.dcrf.com
Ages Served - Birth to 19
Disabilities Served - All
Geographical Area Served - Nationwide
The Disabled Children's Relief Fund provides funding for assistive technology and rehabilitation services. Priority for funding is given to those children with disabilities whose families have no health insurance coverage. Applications for funding may be obtained April through September by calling or, writing the Fund, or through the website.
National Easter Seals Society
230 W. Monroe Street, Suite 1800
Chicago, IL 60606
Voice: 312-726-6200
TTY: 312-726-4258
Toll-free: 800-221-6827
Fax: 312-726-1494
Email: info@easterseals.com
Web site: www.easterseals.com
Ages Served - All
Disabilities Served - All
Geographical Area Served - Nationwide
Individual chapters of the Easter Seals Society may purchase or provide assistive technology through equipment loan programs. Eligibility criteria, funding and the types of devices that may be available vary from chapter to chapter. There are many Easter Seals organizations in Pennsylvania. To locate your local chapter go to the National Easter Seals Society website, or call the National Office.
Giles Fund
Associated Services for the Blind
919 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Voice: 215-627-0600
Fax: 215-922-0692
Web site: www.asb.org
Ages Served - Adults
Disabilities Served – Deaf-blind
Geographical Area Served – Pennsylvania
Administered by Associate Services for the Blind, the Giles Fund grants provides limited funding for assistive technology to help individuals who are deaf-blind to have an improved quality of life. Call the secretary of the Executive Director of the Associated Services for the Blind to request an application. All applications are reviewed by a committee that meets on a regular basis.
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Golden Slipper Club and Charities
215 N. Presidential Boulevard, 1st Floor
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Voice: 610-660-0510
Fax: 610-660-0515
Web site: www.goldenslipperclub.org
Ages Served - All
Disabilities Served - All
Geographical Area Served - Philadelphia and vicinity
The Golden Slippers Club and Charities is an organization that helps individuals with disabilities that do not have resources to purchase assistive technology. Individuals who reside in Philadelphia and vicinity may qualify for a one-time grant through this organization. The amount of funding provided is based on individual need but does not usually exceed $500.
To request funding, an individual other than the person with a disability (e.g. health care provider or social worker) must send a letter to the Golden Slipper Club and Charities, attention: Human Needs and Services Committee (HUNAS), or contact the Club for additional information.
Next... Non-Governmental Funding Resources H-M
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Let us know if you are able to obtain assistive technology using any of these sources the information from this list or any other services of PIAT. Knowing about your experience will help us to help other people in need of AT.
Are we missing any resources? Has contact information changed? Please contact Janice Knuth at (voice) 215-204-5397, (fax) 215-204-9371, or (email) fundAT@temple.edu to keep this list as up to date as possible.
To request additional copies of this document or to request the document in an alternate format, contact 800-204-PIAT (7428) toll-free or 866-268-0579, TTY.
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