Assistive Technology Resources

AT Device Loan Programs

State Equipment Loan Programs

Programs/Links
State Programs
Other Programs
Other Resources

State Activities
Device Loan
Device ReUse
Device Demo
Financing

Loans for AT
AFP State Loans
Other Loans
Section Links:
Abbreviations/Key
Discussion of Table
Featured Equipment Loan Program
Credit
 
State Equipment Loan Programs
 
State Geographic Area/
Project or Partners
Eligible Ages Eligible Disabilities Loan Recipients Types of Equipment Other Services
Loan Period Loan Fees # Loans last year Loan Tracking Budget/Source Comments
AR Statewide/
Arkansas Rehab. Svc.
All All Users, family members, agencies, service providers, education 1-10 Assessment, demo, follow up, funding assistance, I&R, training
2-6 weeks None 426 Computer software $30,000/AT Act dollars Person using AAC device must have training in its use
DE Statewide/ project only All All Service providers, users, family members, agencies 1-10 Demo, follow up, funding assistance, I&R, group training
2 weeks, can extend None, responsible if lost or damaged 692 Statewide information system $280,000/AT Act dollars, other state & federal grants For in state residents only
DC District-wide/project only All All Service providers, users 1,3,4,6,7,8,10,11 Assessment, demo, follow up funding assistance, I&R, training
4 weeks None 45 Loan agreement form AT Act dollars Program is cross age, disability and any agency affiliation
FL Northwest Florida/with partners All All Users, family members, service providers 1-10 -
30 days None 6-7/month Computer software, log book $30,000 from AT Act Loan program operated through demo center
GA Statewide/project only www.gatfl.org All All Users, family members, service providers, business 1-11 and reference materials Assessment, demo, follow up, funding assistance, I&R, training
1 week - 2 months Fee charge to VR; fee on some AAC; S&H 3468 (average 289/month) Database tracking system $20,000; AT Act dollars, state funds, donations, events Interagency partnerships and innovative outreach efforts
GU Island of Guam/project only All All Users, family members, service providers 1,2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11 Assessment, demo, follow-up, funding assistance, I&R, training
30 days None 56 ID tags & forms AT Act dollars -
HI Statewide (All Islands)/ project only All All Users, family members, service providers 1-3 Assessment, demo, follow up, funding assistance, I&R, training
6 weeks None 15 Computer database Private funding for equipment Loan banks need to be available on neighbor islands
ID Statewide w/ UCP of Idaho
www.ucpidaho.org
All All Users, family members, service providers 1-10, books and videos Assessment, demo, follow up, funding assistance, I&R, training
2 weeks - 3 months $5 annual fee for consumers, $50-$500 for agencies, schools 827 MS Access database $104, 062 with $10,000 from AT Act dollars, other grants, donations, United Way Annual fee is waived if consumer cannot pay. Borrowers must belong to program
IL Statewide/ project only
www.iltech.org
All All Service providers, users, family members 1,2,3,5,6,7,9,10 Demo, follow up, funding assistance, I&R
4-6 weeks Return S&H fee 616 Computer database $500,000 state GRF in 2001 -
IN Statewide/ project only All All Users, family members, service providers 1-11 Assessment, demo, follow-up, funding assistance, I&R, training
90 days None 27 Computer program $25,000 from AT Act -
IA Statewide w/ Easter Seals and CDD; AEAs regionally All; school age for AEAs All Users, family members 2,3,4,6,8,9,10 Assessment, demo, funding assistance, training
As long as needed; 3-6 months for AEAs and CDD None N/A Computer software $20,000 to Easter Seals; $10,395 to CDD IPAT works with Easter Seals, AEAs and CDD to develop their own loan programs
KS Statewide/ with State partners
www.atk.ku.edu
All Al Users, family members, service providers, agencies 2-10 Assessment, demo, follow-up, funding assistance, I&R, training
3-6 weeks None 1834 Computer software and bar code $22,000 State funds; $22,000 AT Act Funding partners can request preference to consumer base
KY Statewide w/regional AT centers and KY EIS
www.bluegrass-tech.org
All All Users, family members, service providers, agencies, educational instit. 1-10 Assessment, demo, follow up, funding assistance, I&R, training
30-90 days $10-$150 rental fee based on value, $25-$35 S&H, late fee and replacement or damage fee 2298 Software and bar codes AT Act, usage fees, state & foundations grants, donations & fundraising events Long-term loan for terminal illnesses, toy adaptations
ME Statewide w/UCP of Bangor and Husson College
www.tecmaine.org
All All Service providers, users, family members, vendors 1-10 Assessment, demo, follow up, funding assistance, I&R, training, simple repairs
2 weeks - 1 month Late fee to begin 9/1/2004 465 Computer software and bar code $145,000; AT Act, membership fee, fee for service, grants Program requires annual membership
MD Statewide w/Holly Community, Inc., MD AT Coop. & Div. of Rehab. Services
www.matcoop.org
All All Users, family members, service providers, agencies 1-10 Assessment, demo, follow up, funding assistance, I&R, training
3-6 weeks Return shipping, $25 computer rental @ Eastern Shore center N/A Case files and paper tracking AT Act dollars, donations, grants, subcontracts Operates 3 centers across the state: Baltimore, Eastern Shore and West MD
MN Statewide w/UCP of MN All All Mostly service providers 2 Demo, I&R, training
30 days Late fee 211 Database $38,400; AT Act provided $5000 Aug. Comm. only
MS Statewide/ project only All All Users, family members, service providers, agencies 1,2,3,9,10 Assessment, demo, follow-up, I&R, training
90 days None 138 Database and forms AT Act dollars Offer 90 day loans
MO Statewide/with partners
http://etc.rockhurst.edu
All All All loans to agencies with signed agreement 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,9,10 and Telecom equipment
for Internet access
Follow-up, funding assistance, I&R
6 weeks, can be extended None 1265 Bar code $200,000; general state revenue, AT Act, dedicated state funds Partnership with schools provides equipment loan, reimbursement and outcome data
MT Statewide/ project only All All Users, service providers, agencies 1-11 Assessment, demo, follow up, I&R, training
1 month None 407 Bar code, computer database $10-20,000 for equipment purchases Advertises through program web site, newspapers, materials, fact sheets
NE Statewide w/NE Dept. of Labor and Work Force Investment Act (TechTry)
www.nde.state.ne.us/ATP
All (ATP);
Adults and Older Adults (TechTry)
  Users, family members, service providers, agencies, employers 2,3,5,8 and work station modifications (TechTry) Assessment, demo, follow up, I&R, training
2 weeks - 1 month None 10 (TechTry since 04/01/2004) Website & paper copies of loan agreement forms $10,000-$25,000 from AT Act and VR; $300,000 from Dept. of Labor for TechTry TechTry is a �try it before you buy it� program for employers and employees. Must be work related.
NC Statewide w/Dept. of Public Health at one center only All All N/A 1-10 Demo, funding assistance, I&R
2 weeks None (no shipping) 2566 Computer database AT Act general dollars Satellite sites give easier access to AT
ND Statewide/ with partners
www.ndipat.org
All All Users, family members 1-7,9,10 Assessment, demo, follow-up, funding assistance, I&R, training
6 weeks $10-40 late fee 938 Computer database $70,000; AT Act -
MP 3 islands/project only All All Users, family members, service providers 1,3-8,10,11 Assessment, demo, follow up, funding assistance, I&R, training
6 weeks None (S&H requested by other islands) 10 Manual tracking, phone all, letter Donation & CNMI Choice Program -
OK Statewide w/4 Centers for Independent Living All All Users, family members, service providers, agencies 1-10 Demo, follow up, funding assistance, I&R, training
6 weeks - 3 months Security deposit at some sites 386 Computer database, bar codes AT Act dollars -
OR Statewide/ project only All All Users, family members, service providers, agencies 1,2,3,8 Assessment, demo, follow up, funding assistance, I&R, training
2 weeks - 1 month Rental fee - Paper tracking Service to Groups grant -
PA Statewide w/ Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
disabilities.temple.edu/atlend
All All N/A 1-5,7,9,10 Funding assistance, I&R, �support person� to assist with device
2-8 weeks None 5500 devices, 4000 requests Computer software $810,000 state funds; ~ $30,000 federal (AT Act) 170 volunteer �local branches� promote program and assist consumers with loan applications
SC Statewide/project only All All Users, family members, service providers 1-3,5,7-10 Assessment, demo, I&R
2 weeks to 30 days Return shipping 114 Bar code AT Act dollars Program located on same floor as USC Pediatrics Clinic for easy access to MD, staff and patients
SD Statewide/project only All All Users, family members, service providers 1-10 Assessment, demo, follow-up, funding assistance, I&R, training
2 weeks - 30 days S&H on computers 200 Tracking log $16,000; AT Act $2,000,000 legislative appropriation over 2 years for neuromuscular diseaases
UT Northern Utah/ other agencies cover rest of state All All Users, family members, service providers 1,2,4-7,10 Assessment, demo, I&R, training
Depends None 175 Paper form $18,000 AT Act; $35,000 one time state funds to UCAT State project provides small funds to other agencies to replace/expand equipment
VT Statewide w/ VT Parent Info. Center All All N/A 1,2,3,4,7,9,10 Assessment, demo, I&R, training
30 days $25/day late fee 75 (9 months) Paper system AT Act dollars -
WA King County w/ King County Library Adults, older adults All Service providers 1,7,9 Demo, follow-up, funding assistance, I&R, training
2 weeks None 30 Card catalog $1,000; AT Act Part of traveling library, patrons can check out equipment
WV Statewide/project only All All Users, family members, service providers, agencies, vendors, schools 1-10 Assessment, demo, I&R, training
1 months Shipping & handling 45 Paper system AT Act -
WI Statewide w/ 8 Independent Living Centers (by county) All All Users, family members, service providers, agencies 1-10 Assessment, demo, follow up, funding assistance, I&R, training
2 weeks - 30 days None 125-250 Computer software $23,000 AT Act, general Tech Act, other funds Program is operated thru 8 ILCs
WY Statewide/ project only
wind.uwyo.edu/wynot/assistive/bank.asp
All All Users, family members, service providers 1-4,6,7,9,10 Demo, follow-up, funding assistance, I&R
2 months None 37 Software AT Act dollars -

Discussion of Chart

EQUIPMENT LOAN PROGRAMS

Background

By offering individuals with disabilities, service providers, and employers the opportunity to borrow and try out a number of different types of devices prior to making a purchase, equipment loan programs extend immediate short-term loans of assistive technology without the costly investment in a device that may prove unsuitable for the consumer. Loan programs permit hands-on-experience and enhance the facilitation of training associated with assistive technology devices and services through AT Act project personnel. In addition to aiding in the selection process, the loan programs provide temporary replacement equipment to consumers when a personal device is on order or in need of repair.

Findings

33 states report operating device loan programs (see table above). Almost all projects report serving all ages and disabilities. In addition to lending equipment, all device loan programs report offering a full array of support services to assist consumers in the selection process. Services range from assessment and demonstration to funding assistance, training, and follow-up.

A Variety of Partnerships� While some programs are operated solely by the state project, many others collaborate with community organizations, state agencies, and school districts. A partner or funding source may direct services to a specific area of focus. Iowa, for example, partners with Easter Seals and the Center for Disabilities and Development to serve all ages in addition to working with local education agencies to serve school-age children. Missouri also partners with schools to provide equipment loans. In Nebraska, TechTry is a �try it before you buy it� program for employees and employers funded by the Department of Labor under the Workforce Investment Act to serve working-age adults. The state of Washington collaborates with the King County Library to serve adults through a loan program that is part of a traveling library where patrons check out equipment and other resource materials. South Carolina�s loan program is located in the medical school�s pediatric clinic, providing easy access to physicians, staff, and patients. Wisconsin operates through a network of eight Independent Living Centers and Florida�s program lends devices though its demonstration center.

A Variety of Devices� The table lists the many different categories of assistive technology devices that state projects offer through their loan programs. Most states will loan many different categories of devices. Some, however, limit devices to only a few. Resources and staffing influences a state�s capacity to loan a full spectrum of devices. Minnesota, for example, loans only augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. Other states focus on specialized services as well. Nebraska�s TechTry program loans work

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Abbreviations/Key:
 
States:
AR - Arkansas
DE - Delaware
DC - District of Columbia
FL - Florida
GA - Georgia
GU - Guam
HI - Hawaii
ID - Idaho
IL - Illinois
IN - Indiana
IA - Iowa
KS - Kansas
KY - Kentucky
ME - Maine
MD - Maryland
MN - Minnesota
MS - Mississippi
MO - Missouri
MT - Montana
NE - Nebraska
NC - North Carolina
ND - North Dakota
MP - Northern Mariana Islands
OK - Oklahoma
OR - Oregon
PA - Pennsylvania
SC - South Carolina
SD - South Dakota
UT - Utah
VT - Vermont
WA - Washington
WV - West Virginia
WI - Wisconsin
WY - Wyoming

Types of Equipment
1 - aids for daily living
2 - augmentative communication
3 - computer access and software
4 - Durable medical equipment
5 - environmental controls
6 - mobility devices
7 - recreation
8 - seating/positioning
9 - sensory aids
10 - toys
11 - transportation


Credit:
This section is indebted to information from the Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North American (RESNA), especially for their April, 2005, Survey of State AT Act Projects (The RESNA Technical Assistance Project, Grant #H224B020001, funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration, U.S. Department of Education, under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998).

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