Assistive Technology Public Funding Source Guide
Funding for assistive technology (AT) devices or services may be available from
a variety of public programs. If you are eligible for any of these public programs,
all or part of the cost of your AT may be paid for by the program. For example,
if you are an adult who needs AT in order to work, the Vocational
Rehabilitation (VR), Medicaid (MA), Medicare (MC), Veterans
Benefits (VA), or the Independent
Living (IL) program may help pay for your AT. (A key to the funding program
abbreviations follows.) Each program fact sheet will give you some basic information
about program eligibility guidelines, the kinds of AT funded, how to make a request
for AT, and the appeal process that is available if you are denied help with
funding your AT.
Key to Funding Program Abbreviations and Age Ranges Covered
Medicaid: (Birth - Adult (18+)): MA
Early & Periodic
Screening, Diagnosis & Treatment program of Medicaid: (Birth
- 21 years): EPSDT
Early Intervention:
(Birth - 3 years): EI
Special Education:
(3 - 21 years): SpEd
Vocational Rehabilitation:
(18+ years): VR
Independent
Living: (Adult: 18+ years): IL
Medicare:
(Adult: 18+ years): MC
Veterans Benefits:
(Adult: 18+ years): VA
The materials in this packet were written by staff of the Rhode Island Disability Law Center, Inc. , (formerly RIPAS), in the Fall of 1995. Please do not hesitate to contact the RI Disability Law Center to find out whether legal changes have occurred and/or to give us feedback regarding the usefulness of the material or the manner in which it was presented.
RI Disability Law Center, Inc.
349 Eddy Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Voice (401) 831-3150
TDD (401) 831-5335
Website: http://www.ridlc.org/
E-mail: info@ridlc.org
Legal help: People with disabilities who need AT, may also be able to obtain payment for AT by asserting their rights under several state and federal civil rights laws (e.g.¤504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act). These laws do not guarantee provision of AT, but only support the use of AT as a way for covered entities to meet their obligations not to discriminate. Because these laws involve a different kind of inquiry to determine someone's rights, they are not covered in these materials. Individuals with questions about the application of these laws are encouraged to contact RIPAS (see below). The RI Disability Law Center can provide free legal advice and/or representation if you need help getting an AT service or device from any of these agencies. For more information or help contact:
349 Eddy Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Voice (401) 831-3150 TDD (401) 831-5335
(800) 733-5332
Website: http://www.ridlc.org/
E-mail: info@ridlc.org