Type of Equipment Needed
General
American Association of People with Disabilities/Digital Federal Credit Union Access Loans
DCU (800) 328-8797 or (800) 395-5146 (TTY)
Members of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) can apply through the Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) for loans for AT or home modifications to assist a person with a disability. The membership fee to join AAPD is $8 and one can join the DCU with a $5 deposit into a checking or savings account. The borrower need not be the person with the disability. All loans are nonguaranteed. DCU offers flexible terms, including up to 10 years to repay loans for adapted vehicles. DCU attempts to offer competitive rates, and though they review an applicant’s credit rating, they state that they will consider unusual expenses like medical bills.
Delaware/Maryland Paralyzed Veterans Association
28 Peddler’s Row
Newark, DE 19702
(302) 368-4898
The Delaware/Maryland Paralyzed Veterans Association (PVA) provides funds for the purchase of equipment (e.g., ramps, prostheses, wheelchairs, etc.) and other assistance (van adaptations, home modifications) to people with disabilities. One does not need to be a veteran to use PVA services, nor is their assistance limited by age or type of disability. The maximum award per person is approximately $1,500. If a prosthetic device is solely funded by PVA, the client is responsible for 10 percent of the total cost. The prosthetics program also repairs used equipment and takes donations of equipment for recycling. Contact the PVA office for further details.
The Disabled Children's Relief Fund (DCRF)
(516) 377-1605
www.dcrf.com
The Disabled Children's Relief Fund (DCRF) provides modest grants, typically ranging between $25 and $200, to help with the purchase of assistive devices. The maximum grant is $1,000. Although the DCRF has no eligibility restrictions with regard to disability type, preference is given to applicants with physical disabilities in need of prosthetic devices. Computers are excluded from this program.
Helen F. Graham Grants Program
Wilmington, DE 19884-0711
(302) 432-5250
(800) 441-7048, ext. 25250
The Helen F. Graham Grants Program provides funding for teaching programs, equipment, and other initiatives that create opportunities for the education and development of children and adults with cognitive disabilities. Grant requests must meet the following criteria to be eligible for consideration under this program:
- School projects or programs must be managed by a public school or a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) private or parochial school located in Delaware.
- Community projects or programs must be managed by a non-profit 501(c)(3) private or parochial school located in Delaware.
You may apply for a grant at any time. The Grants Committee meets monthly to review the applications. There is no limit to the number of applications you may submit or to the funding you may receive. The minimum grant request is $250; there is no maximum. The Grants Program can assist callers by phone or they will schedule a meeting to assist you.
The Kaitlin Marie Bell Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 355
Seaford, DE 19973
Phone: (302) 629-3874
Fax: (302) 629-7386
E-mail: KMBFoundation@aol.com
The Kaitlin Marie Bell Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports the needs of medically and physically challenged children up to age 21. The Foundation funds equipment and/or services to those in financial need who have been unable to acquire such assistance through insurance. In addition to an application, the Foundation requires submission of a recent letter from a doctor or other health care professional stating how the equipment and/or service would benefit the child. Recent testing results verifying the need for the equipment and/or service should also accompany the application.
Lend a Hand
Rehoboth-Lewes Association of Churches
Contact:
Joy Troop of DHSS (302) 856-5574 or
Chuck Smith (302) 644-1343
Lend a Hand is sponsored by the Rehoboth-Lewes Association of Churches. Their assistance is limited to persons living in the Rehoboth and Lewes area. Their goal is to provide short-term assistance, such as rent payments, to help people become more self sufficient. They also have "work days" in the Spring and Fall at which time their volunteers do home repairs and modifications such as installing wheelchair ramps, putting on new roofs, etc.
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Bellows Fund
National Contact:
Charlotte Safos
(202) 387-0272
Email: Csafos@aol.com
Local UCP chapter: (302) 764-2400
The UCP Bellows Fund provides funds persons with disabilities for the purchase of AT. Eligibility is not limited to persons with cerebral palsy. Each year, the national UCP organization allocates between $2,250-$3,750 to each local UCP chapter for persons with disabilities in their service area. The program focuses on those in financial need and covers both equipment purchases and repairs. Eligible equipment includes wheelchairs, AAC devices, ECUs, computers, lifts, and hearing aids. The program will not fund automobiles or AT services, including evaluations.
Variety - The Children’s Charity
2711 Centerville Rd., Suite 108
Wilmington, DE 19808
(302) 993-0896
www.varietyphila.org
Variety supports The Direct Care for Kids Program, a last resort medical equipment program for families in need. Applicants’ AT requests must be denied by their insurance company before contacting Variety. Equipment funding by the program includes wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, sitter, standers, prosthesis, bathing needs, hearing aids, braces, adapted tricycles, car seats, helmets, educational and recreational components. They will not fund ramps, vans, lifts, bed rails, computers, utility bills, home repairs or modifications.
Communication
Muscular Dystrophy Association
New Castle County:
17 Bishop Hollow Road, Unit A
Newtown Square, PA 19073
(610) 325-5758
Kent and Sussex County:
8501 LaSalle Road
Towson, MD 21286
(888) 484-7072
The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) will pay up to $2,000 for the one-time purchase of a communication device such as a speech generator or speech synthesizer for persons whose neuromuscular disorder has left them with an inability to speak. The communication device must be prescribed by an MDA clinic physician. Those who receive MDA assistance are asked to return the speech devices to MDA when it is no longer being used so that it can be placed in MDA’s loan closet.
Computers
The Beaumont Foundation
(866) 505-2667
www.bmtfoundation.com/grants/
The Beaumont Foundation has given computer equipment to persons with disabilities in approximately half of the States throughout the U.S. in 2003. Delaware is one of the States slated for distribution of computer equipment in 2004. The Foundation considers many factors in evaluating individual grant applications, including income. Applicants who can demonstrate both a strong need for this equipment and a place to use it will more likely be funded.
Goodwill Industries of Delaware, Computer Recycling Center (CRC)
300 East Lea Boulevard
Wilmington, DE 19802
(302) 761-4646
(302) 761-4649 (fax)
Goodwill’s Computer Recycling Center accepts donations of used computers, printers, modems, software, etc. CRC refurbishes the donated equipment and sells it at Goodwill Stores at a low cost.
National Cristina Foundation
500 West Putnam Ave.
Greenwich, CT 06830
203-863-9100
203-863-9230 (fax)
rzopf@cristina.org
The National Cristina Foundation (NCF) donates commercially obsolete computers, software, and related equipment to non-profit organizations and public agencies. Priority is given first to NCF partner organizations and then to organizations that train people with disabilities in an educational or rehabilitative environment.
Share the Technology
Share the Technology is a non-profit organization that repairs, upgrades, and donates used computers to persons with disabilities, schools, and non-profit organizations. Refer to their website for a listing of available computers.
Hearing
Delaware State Fire Marshal
New Castle County (302) 323-5365
Kent County (302) 739-5665
Sussex County (302) 856-5600
The State Fire Marshal's Office provides smoke detectors for persons with hearing impairments. The detectors have a flashing strobe and a louder than usual horn. Contact the Fire Marshal's office for program details.
Hear Now
6700 Washington Avenue South
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
(800) 648-4327
Hear Now is a national non-profit agency that accepts donations of hearing aids. Donated hearing aids should be sent to Hear Now in a padded envelope. Include your name and address in the envelope so that Hear Now can send a letter of acknowledgement. Hear Now sells the hearing aids to a manufacturer for parts. The generated revenue is used to underwrite the cost of hearing aids for low-income children and adults. To apply for help, call and request an application. The completed application should be accompanied by a $35 non-refundable processing fee and supporting documentation, including information about the applicant's income and assets. If the application is approved, Hear Now sends an order form to the applicant's hearing health care provider. The hearing health care provider sends the order to the manufacturer, which sends the hearing aid to the hearing health care provider. The hearing health care provider fits the hearing aid to the client. This entire process takes approximately four to six weeks.
Hearing Loss Association of Delaware (HLADE)
3204 Powhatan Dr.
Wilmington, DE 19808
(302) 292-3066
www.hearingloss.org
hlade@comcast.net
Hearing Loss Association of Delaware (HLADE) is a national organization dedicated to helping people with hearing loss. Their activities include education, advocacy, training, and hearing screenings. They have worked successfully in several states on legislation mandating insurance coverage for hearing aids. HLADE has a Delaware chapter, which has on occasion provided used AT such as hearing aids, captioning devices, and TTYs to persons with hearing loss.
Lions Clubs
The Lions Clubs are nationwide service clubs that have local chapters within each state. Their assistance to disabled persons includes donations of eyeglasses, guide dogs and white canes for the blind, wheelchair lifts for vans, hearing aids, and recycled AT equipment such as wheelchairs. Not every chapter provides all of these services, so you should contact your local chapter with any requests.
Nemours Health Clinic
1801 Rockland Road
Wilmington, DE 19803
(302) 651-4408
The Nemours Program provides hearing aids to Delaware residents 65 and over who are U.S. citizens. One's income must be below $12,500 if single and below $17,125 if married. The Nemours Program considers social security payments, gross pension, rental income, interest on savings, dividends, and work earnings in making this determination.
Home Modification
Citizens Bank EZ Home Improvement Loan
(888) 337-6500 or visit a branch office
Citizens Bank EZ Home Improvement Loans are designed for persons whose income meets guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. At the present time, residents of New Castle County with income of $56,000 or less, and residents of Kent and Sussex Counties with income of less than $40,000, are eligible. These are unsecured loans, available to renters as well as homeowners. Citizens’ offers low rates ($1,000 loan at 1 percent, $1,000 - $10,000 loan at 6 percent) as well as flexible terms. For example, one who borrows $1,000 at 1 percent for 36 months has a monthly payment of $28.20. Citizens also has modified credit scoring for these applicants.
City of Wilmington Community Development Neighborhood Rehabilitation Program
(302) 576-3000
http://www.ci.wilmington.de.us/departments/housing.htm
The city of Wilmington’s Community Development Neighborhood Rehabilitation Program makes loans to low to moderate homeowners with disabilities so they can rehabilitate their home.
Delaware State Housing Authority
New Castle County
Beatrice M. Cheseroni, Housing Rehabilitation Loan Supervisor
Delaware State Housing Authority Finance Section
820 North French Street, 10th Floor
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 577-5001
(302) 577-3713 (fax)
Kent & Sussex County
18 The Green
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 739-4263
The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) provides home improvement loans through its Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program (HRLP) to owner-occupants or landlords for the purpose of moderate rehabilitation of an existing property. Owner occupants must have a low to moderate income and be credit worthy. These loans, which can be used to help make properties accessible, have a maximum of $35,000 per unit for owner-occupants with an interest rate of 3 percent over 15 years. The maximum loan for a rental unit is $25,000. Mobile homes are eligible in certain circumstances. Those persons with low incomes may be eligible for a Neighborhood Revitalization Fund (NRF) grant, also with a maximum of $35,000.
To apply, contact DSHA at (302) 577-5001.
First State Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc. Emergency Home Repair Program
125 Causey Avenue, Suite 108
Milford, DE 19963
(302) 424-6744
First State Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc. (RC&D) is a non-profit organization that provides assistance to low income residents who own their own home through its Emergency Home Repair Program. RC&D receives a grant from the Delaware State Housing Authority for this program. RC&D will donate building materials to those needing a ramp. If a person also needs someone to build the ramp there may be an additional wait while volunteers are recruited to do the job. They also repair heaters, roofs, etc. Depending on the type of work that needs to be done, the work may be done right away or there may be up to a year wait. Funds are limited and they do not have the money for major renovations such as making a bathroom accessible. Eligibility decisions are based on income, according to limits set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Most of the work they do is in Kent and Sussex County.
Lend a Hand
Rehoboth-Lewes Association of Churches
Contacts:
Joy Troop of DHSS (302) 856-5574 or
Chuck Smith (302) 644-1343
Lend a Hand is sponsored by the Rehoboth-Lewes Association of Churches. Their assistance is limited to persons living in the Rehoboth and Lewes area. Their goal is to provide short-term assistance, such as rent payments, to help people become more self sufficient. They also have "work days" in the Spring and Fall at which time their volunteers do home repairs and modifications such as installing wheelchair ramps, putting on new roofs, etc.
Lions Clubs
The Lions Clubs are nationwide service clubs that have local chapters within each state. Their assistance to disabled persons includes donations of eyeglasses, guide dogs and white canes for the blind, wheelchair lifts for vans, hearing aids, and recycled AT equipment such as wheelchairs. Not every chapter provides all of these services, so you should contact your local chapter with any requests.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
2 Mill Road, Suite 106
Wilmington, DE 19806
(302) 655-5610 or (800) FIGHT MS
The MS Society has developed a pilot program called “HomeAble,” designed to modify homes for people with MS. The purpose of this program is to allow persons with MS to remain in their homes. The home modifications range from widening doorways to adding ramps. To be eligible for the program, one must a) be registered with the MS chapter, b) have completed a financial assistance form, c) be a homeowner, and d) live in New Castle County. The maximum amount of assistance is $5,000.
New Castle County Department of Community Affairs
Grant program - (302) 395-5600
Low-interest Loan program - (302) 395-5648
New Castle County’s Department of Community Affairs provides grants for emergency home repairs. The maximum amount is $5,000. They also make low-interest loans for homeowners to make major renovations. Usually there are waiting lists for both programs.
Rebuilding Together Wilmington
100 West 10th St., Suite 106
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 655-5488
www.rebuildingtogetherwilmington.org
Rebuilding Together Wilmington is the local branch of a national, nonprofit organization which uses donated materials and volunteers to repair and rehabilitate houses. Its primary focus is the elderly and persons with disabilities.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Rural Housing Service
3600 South DuPont Highway
Dover, Delaware 19901
(302) 697-2600 ext. 4
(302) 697-4303 (TTY)
www.rurdev.usda.gov
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides low-interest loans and grants to low income persons for home repairs and modifications. Applicants must own and occupy their homes, and those homes must be in rural areas. The home must need repairs or improvements and applicants must submit cost estimates for the work. An applicant's credit history is evaluated and, if approved, the maximum loan is $20,000. If the applicant is 62-years-old or older and their income is very low, the repayment interest rate can be as low as 1 percent. The length of repayment term is based upon an applicant's financial ability, with a maximum of 20 years. There is a very small amount of funds available for loans for those 18-62 years old. These also have a maximum of $20,000 but the interest rate is between 2-3 percent.
The grants program is available only to those 62-years-old or older. The maximum grant is $7,500.
Mobility
AMBUCS
(336) 896-2166
www.AMBUCS.com
AMBUCS is an organization that provides AmTryke therapeutic tricycles to children with disabilities free of charge. Once a child has outgrown a bike, it is returned and the child is given the next size bike. The old bike is then refurbished and given to another child.
Prosthetics
The Barr Foundation
136 Northeast Olive Way
Boca Raton, Florida 33432
(561) 394-6514
www.oandp.com/barr
The Barr Foundation provides prostheses to amputees who are unable to secure funding for their prosthetic devices. The Barr Foundation focuses on those who cannot afford limbs. They provide reimbursement for materials and maintenance costs to prosthetists who provide limbs to amputees who have no other source of funding. To receive an application, have a board certified or state licensed prosthetist request the application directly from the Barr Foundation. It is suggested that the amputee be evaluated by the sponsoring prosthetist prior to the application being requested in the amputee's name. The application must be completed within 30 days and returned to the Barr Foundation with proof of denial by other funding sources. Applications are processed within three to five weeks and the prosthetist will be notified as to approval or denial.
Limbs for Life
5929 N. May Street
Suite 511
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
(405) 843-5174
Limbs for Life is a foundation that provides prosthetics to persons who have had limbs amputated. Those interested in assistance should write a letter explaining their circumstances and need. In addition to the applicant's name, the letters should include their phone number and e-mail address (if the applicant has one). Limbs for Life asks applicants to not call or e-mail their office. Limbs for Life also accept donations of used limbs. These limbs should be sent to Limbs for Life c/o IDS.
Vision
Association of Blind Citizens AT Fund
www.assocofblindcitizens.org/assistive.html
The Association of Blind Citizens AT Fund covers 50 percent of the retail cost of adaptive devices or software. Eligible persons are: (1) those who are legally blind; (2) with a family income of less than $50,000; and (3) cash assets of less than $20,000. The AT must have a retail cost of between $200-$6,000.
Delaware Association for the Blind
800 West St.
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 655-2111
(888) 777-3925 (Kent & Sussex Counties)
Delaware Association for the Blind (DAB) provides financial assistance toward the purchase of AT (e.g., CCTVs) in those cases in which the Delaware Division for the Visually Impaired is not able to provide such assistance. Applicants must be legally blind in order to receive help from the DAB.
Federal Income Tax Deduction for the Blind and Elderly
Internal Revenue Service
Service Headquarters
1111 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20224
For tax forms, call (800) TAX-FORM
For tax information, call (202) 622-5000
People who are legally blind or those over age 65 may claim certain exemptions on their federal tax returns each year. One deduction per qualifying individual is allowed, and the deduction amounts depend on the individual's filing status. The standard deduction may have more than one component: the basic standard deduction, and an additional standard deduction amount for age (65 and older), blindness, or both.
For example, a single taxpayer who was age 65 and legally blind by the last day of the 2003 tax year is entitled to a basic standard deduction of $4,750 and an additional standard deduction of $2,300 (which is $1,150 for being age 65, and $1,150 for being blind). This person's total standard deduction then is $7,050.
The following provides the standard and additional deduction amounts for the 2003 tax year by filing status. Note that deduction amounts generally change from year to year.
Tax Year 2003 Deductions
Deduction: Standard
Single: $4,750
Married Filing Separately: $4,750
Married Filing Jointly: $9,500
Head of Household: $7,000
Deduction: Age 65 Addition
Single: $1,150
Married Filing Separately: $950
Married Filing Jointly: $1,900
Head of Household: $3,940
Deduction: Blindness Addition
Single: $1,150
Married Filing Separately: $950
Married Filing Jointly: $1,900
Head of Household: $3,940
Lions Clubs
The Lions Clubs are nationwide service clubs that have local chapters within each state. Their assistance to disabled persons includes donations of eyeglasses, guide dogs and white canes for the blind, wheelchair lifts for vans, hearing aids, and recycled AT equipment such as wheelchairs. Not every chapter provides all of these services, so you should contact your local chapter with any requests.
National Federation of the Blind Loans for Assistive Technology and Newsline
1800 Johnson Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659-9314
www.nfb.org
AT Loans
This program provides low interest (3 percent) loans to people who are blind or visually impaired for the purchase of AT devices, by which they mean computers and related information processing technology. The maximum loan is $3,000. Loans must be repaid within four years, with minimum payments of $50 monthly. Mr. Curtis Chong, who administers this program, may be reached at (515) 277-1288.
Business loans are available to those needing funds for business development or for job-related purposes. Inquiries may be addressed to Mr. Donald Capps at:
1829 Belmont Drive
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 254-3777Newsline
This is a free service, available to blind subscribers, that reads newspapers through any touch-tone telephone. Access it by using a touch-tone phone to dial (888) 882-1629, listen to the menu, and choose options by tapping numbers on the phone keypad. This service is being expanded to allow users to read any of more than fifty newspapers across the country.
Tobin Foundation for the Visually Impaired
P.O. Box 2685
Wilmington, DE 19805
1704 Augustine Cut-off
Wilmington, DE 19803
(302) 655-5046
(302) 655-3909 (fax)
tobinfnd@aol.com
The Tobin Foundation for the Visually Impaired provides financial assistance for devices and services such as guide dog support through the Guiding Eyes for the Blind, computer hardware, and adaptive software. The Foundation generally provides funds for clients from the Delaware Division for the Visually Impaired and Independent Resources, Inc., when those agencies cannot provide financial support.
