Hi! As promised I am looking at some of the funding sources suggested by Enhanced Vision.
Here is the disclaimer: we know NOTHING about any of these funding sources. Legit? Dunno. Shady? Dunno. I mention them only because they might – remember might – be helpful to people trying to find ways to fund assistive technology. Nothing is guaranteed and nothing is recommended. Caveat emptor.
Moving along then, the Digital Federal Credit Union offers what they call Access Loans. They are for up to 72 months (that is six years) and you can borrow up to $25,000. The interest rates are between 8 and 10%. There is no down payment required.
Check with your own bank and take a look at their rates. My bank advertised personal loans “as low as 9.5%.” That means the DFCU deal is most likely better than my bank. Make sure to check rates in your area before applying.
The Association of Blind Citizens sponsors the Assistive Technology Fund. Sorry everyone outside of the States but this one is residents only. The ATF (and no, that is not alcohol, firearms, and tobacco) will pay up to 50% of the retail price of assistive devices and software. The price should be between $200 and $6000.
In addition to requiring applicants are legally blind, they also have income and asset guidelines. It does not appear you have to be a member of ABC but I am not sure. Grants are awarded twice a year. These grants, like many, appear to be based on need.
The National Assistive Technological Assistance Partnership is said to have the mandate to maximize the abilities of individuals with disabilities to access and obtain assistive technology devices and services. I went to the website and saw nothing about $$$. Does not mean it is not there. After all, I AM visually impaired.
For our friends in the UK, I stumbled upon the Gardner Trust for the Blind. They are based in London and may provide grants for education, training, and household items. They also mentioned the possibility of pensions. [Lin/Linda: This webpage actually lists several sources of financial help including the Gardner Trust for the Blind, Guide Dogs, MACS, RNIB Grants, Victa, The Vision Charity, and links to a few others.]
….unfortunately I am three or four pages into my search and the ones I have listed above keep repeating. Other than these, the major players are the state organizations and the Lion’s Club. It does not appear there are many private organizations that are willing to help with the purchase of assistive technology.
That does not, however, mean the search is over. Do you have low vision equipment? Where did you get it? Has anyone tried to get low vision assistive technology as “durable medical equipment” from insurance? How about Medicare? What would make low vision technology “medically necessary”? Let’s get creative, people!
Written September 21st, 2018