OK FUNDING FOR AT A Guide to Solving the Funding Puzzle and Receiving Assistive Technology in Oklahoma FOURTH EDITION, JANUARY 2005 Developed by OKLAHOMA ABLE TECH Oklahoma's Assistive Technology Program Oklahoma State University Seretean Wellness Center 2 Acknowledgments We are especially grateful to the staff members of all the Oklahoma and Federal public agencies along with private organizations listed within this document for their collaboration and cooperation in: • Sharing information about their programs and services; • Reviewing the information in this document for accuracy; • Disseminating information in this document for broader use. A special word of appreciation is extended to Joy Kniskern, a former staff member of the Georgia Assistive Technology Project, Tools for Life, whose funding guide provided the basis for much of the information contained in this guide. Thanks! Duplication: There are no copyrights on this document. Agencies, organizations, companies, individuals, and others are welcome to copy this document in whole or in part. Oklahoma ABLE Tech does ask that we are credited appropriately. “OK FUNDING for AT” is a publication of Oklahoma ABLE Tech. ABLE Tech is funded by U. S. Department of Education (USDOE). This publication does not necessarily reflect the position or policy of USDOE and no official endorsement of the material should be inferred. Information about the Oklahoma ABLE Tech program is available upon request as a public service. Oklahoma State University administers and conducts all program and activities in accordance with the U.S. Civil Rights Acts which provide that no person shall, on grounds of race, color, national origin, sex or disability be excluded benefits or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. 2 OK FUNDING for AT FOREWORD OK FUNDING for AT: A Guide to Solving the Funding Please share your successes and experiences with us and Puzzle and Getting Assistive Technology in Oklahoma is submit copies of your requests for funding so that we can a collection of process and program information for use by assist others in acquiring assistive technology. individuals with disabilities, their families, advocates and service providers. We hope this “funding guide” will assist Contact Oklahoma ABLE Tech at: you in your search for funding, make the process easier and Oklahoma State University Seretean Wellness Center aid you in getting the assistive technology you need. 1514 West Hall of Fame Stillwater, OK 74078-2026 This guide is dedicated to those individuals who work In Stillwater (405) 744-9748 or tirelessly to ensure that Oklahomans with disabilities have Outside Stillwater, Toll Free (800) 257-1705 access to devices and technology that will enhance their ABLE Tech INFO-line, Toll Free (888) 885-5588 independence, productivity, inclusion and quality of life. Web site: http://okabletech.okstate.edu/ In addition, we also want to recognize ALL Oklahomans with disabilities, their families and advocates whose hard The Oklahoma ABLE Tech program is designed to make work and persistence continue to help us in the process assistive technology devices and services more available of systems change. and accessible to ALL Oklahomans with disabilities. OK FUNDING for AT was produced as part of this effort. Agencies and service providers are currently gaining awareness of assistive technology. Eligibility guidelines, Dr. Mac McCory service provision policies and coverage issues are un- Program Director dergoing scrutiny and evaluation. In this era of change and growth, Oklahoma ABLE Tech will closely follow and Linda Jaco continue to be actively involved in these changes. The Program Manager information contained in this guide is the most current information available through September 2004. However, Milissa Gofourth it is subject to change at any time. Thus, new informa- Policy/Funding Specialist tion will be contained in future editions of OK FUNDING for AT. Sherril York, PhD Outreach/Training Specialist This guide describes possible public and private sources of funding and strategies to obtain funding for assistive Brenda Dawes technology from these sources. It is well organized and Marketing Specialist designed to be simple to use. It is our hope that OK FUND- ING for AT will be used to help individuals understand Diana Sargent public programs and to assist in identifying potential Staff Assistant funding sources. Please share your experiences with us and with others. Carla Wilhite, OTR/L AgrAbility Specialist We have verified all the sources contained in this guide. However, if you know of other funding sources that are not included in the guide, contact us so we can include this information in our updates. If you have questions during the process of obtaining funding, or know of any informa- tion in this guide that needs to be changed or added, call us at the number(s) listed below. 3 4 SECTIONS Section I: Introduction to Assistive Technology and Oklahoma ABLE Tech Section II: Developing a Funding Strategy Section III: Charts of Funding Sources Section IV: Public Sources of Funding Section V: Private Sources of Funding and Other Possibilities Section VI: Appendices Appendix A: Laws that Impact AT Appendix B: Public Agencies – Local Contacts Appendix C: Private Agencies – Local Contacts Appendix D: Additional Information Resources 5 Table of Contents Section I: Introduction Introduction......................................... 9 Supplemental Security Income................... 82 What is Assistive Technology?..................... 10 Supplemental Security Income What is Oklahoma ABLE Tech?.................... 11 Disabled Children's Program............... 84 Supported Employment Program................. 85 TRICARE.............................................. 87 Veterans Benefits................................... 89 Section II: Funding Strategy Vocational Rehabilitation Program............... 91 Vocational Rehabilitation Program............... 94 Developing a Funding Strategy.................... 14 Steps and Strategies to Acquire Funding........ 14 Appeals and Advocacy.............................. 19 Potential Funding Sources at a Glance.......... 21 Section V: Private Sources of Funding Glossary of Assistive Technology Terms......... 22 Reference............................................ 24 Statewide Sources American Cancer Society - Heartland Division......................... 98 Section III: Possible Funding Sources Angel Flight, Inc.................................... 99 Arthritis Foundation Possible Funding Sources.......................... 25 Eastern & Oklahoma Chapters........... 100 Public Sources........................... 26 BancFirst Assistive Private Sources.......................... 29 Technology Lending Program............ 101 BancFirst Access Telework Fund (ATF).......... 103 Centers for Independent Living.................. 105 Central Oklahoma Association Section IV: Public Funding Sources for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired..... 106 Dog Ears.............................................. 107 Aging Services....................................... 36 Donna Nigh Foundation............................ 108 American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation..... 37 Easter Seals of Oklahoma......................... 109 Family Support Assitance Program............... 39 Limbs for Life Foundation......................... 110 Head Start........................................... 40 Muscular Dystrophy Association - Home Improvement and Repair Loan & Grants 41 Eastern and Western Oklahoma......... 111 Indian Health Service.............................. 42 National Federation of J.D. McCarty Center for the Blind of Oklahoma.................... 112 Children with Disabilities.................. 43 National Multiple Sclerosis Society - Medicaid - ADvantage Waiver Program.......... 44 Oklahoma Chapter......................... 113 Medicaid - Early & Periodic Screening, P.A.L.S. - Practical Assisted Living Systems..... 114 Diagnosis, and Treatment.................. 46 SHHH-Self Help for Hard of Medicaid - Fee for Service........................ 48 Hearing People, Inc....................... 115 Medicaid - Home and Community Based Sooner AMBUCS Share4Life Waiver Program............................. 50 Komputer (ASK)............................ 116 Medicaid - In-Home Support Waiver Services.. 52 Tulsa Cerebral Palsy Association.................. 117 Medicaid - SoonerCare Choice.................... 54 United Cerebral Palsy of Oklahoma, Inc. ....... 118 Medicare............................................. 56 Oklahoma ABLE Tech............................... 59 Oklahoma AgrAbility Project...................... 60 National Sources Oklahoma Department of Career Technology Education...................... 61 Disabled Children's Relief Fund................... 119 Oklahoma Equipment Connection............... 63 Habitat for Humanity International.............. 120 Oklahoma Library for the Blind Multiple Sclerosis Association of America....... 121 and Physically Handicapped............... 64 Pearle Vision Foundation.......................... 122 Oklahoma Telecommunications Program....... 65 Push America........................................ 123 Senior Citizens Hearing Aid Project............. 67 Recordings for the Blind & Dyslexic............. 124 Social Security Disability Insurance............. 68 Social Security Work Incentives Blind Work Expenses........................ 70 National Rebates Social Security Work Incentives Impairment-Related Work Expenses....