OK Funding for AT

A Guide to Solving the Funding Puzzle and Receiving Assistive Technology in Oklahoma FIFTH EDITION, JANUARY 2007

Developed by Oklahoma ABLE Tech, Oklahoma’s Assistive Technology Program, Oklahoma State University Seretean Wellness Center

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 the U. S. Department of Education (USDE). This publication does not necessarily reflect the position or policy of USDE 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.

OK FUNDING for AT

Foreword

OK FUNDING for AT: A Guide to Solving the Funding Puzzle and Getting Assistive Technology in Oklahoma is a collection of process and program information for use by individuals with disabilities, their families, advocates and service providers. We hope this “funding guide” will assist you in your search for funding, make the process easier and aid you in getting the assistive technology you need.

This guide is dedicated to those individuals who work tirelessly to ensure that Oklahomans with disabilities have access to devices and technology that will enhance their independence, productivity, inclusion and quality of life. In addition, we also want to recognize ALL Oklahomans with disabilities, their families and advocates whose hard work and persistence continue to help us in the process of systems change.

Agencies and service providers are currently gaining awareness of assistive technology. Eligibility guidelines, service provision policies and coverage issues are undergoing scrutiny and evaluation. In this era of change and growth, Oklahoma ABLE Tech will closely follow and continue to be actively involved in these changes. The information contained in this guide is the most current information available through September 2004. However, it is subject to change at any time. Thus, new information will be contained in future editions of OK FUNDING for AT.

This guide describes possible public and private sources of funding and strategies to obtain funding for assistive technology from these sources. It is well organized and designed to be simple to use. It is our hope that OK FUNDING for AT will be used to help individuals understand public programs and to assist in identifying potential funding sources. Please share your experiences with us and with others.

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 information in this guide that needs to be changed or added, call us at the number(s) listed.

Please share your successes and experiences with us and submit copies of your requests for funding so that we can assist others in acquiring assistive technology.

Contact Oklahoma ABLE Tech at: Oklahoma State University, OSU-Seretean Wellness Center, 1514 West Hall of Fame, Stillwater, OK 74078-2026

In Stillwater (405) 744-9748, or Outside Stillwater, Toll Free (800) 257-1705 ABLE Tech INFO-line, Toll Free (888) 885-5588

Web site: http://okabletech.okstate.edu/

The Oklahoma ABLE Tech program is designed to make assistive technology devices and services more available and accessible to ALL Oklahomans with disabilities. OK FUNDING for AT was produced as part of this effort

Linda Jaco, Assistant Director of Sponsored Programs

Milissa Gofourth, Program Manager

Sherril York, PhD Outreach/Training Specialist

Brenda Dawes, AT Program Specialist and Web Coordinator

Diana Sargent, Senior Administration Support Specialist

Carla Wilhite, OTR/L, AgrAbility Specialist

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

Appendices

Appendix A: Laws that Impact AT

Appendix B: Public Agencies – Local Contacts

Appendix C: Private Agencies – Local Contacts

Appendix D: Additional Information Sources

Table of Contents

Section I: Introduction 2

Section II: Funding Strategy 5

Section III: Possible Funding Sources (CHARTS) 18

Section IV: Public Funding Sources 25

Aging Services 27

American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation 28

Family Support Assistance Program 30

Head Start, Community Action Agencies 31

Home Improvement Repair Loans and Grants 32

Indian Health Services 33

J. D. McCarty Center for Children with Developmental Disabilities 34

Medicaid - ADvantage Waiver Program 35

Medicaid - Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) 37

Medicaid - Fee for Service 39

Medicaid - Home & Community-Based Waiver Program (HCBW) 41

Medicaid - In-Home Support Waiver Services 43

Medicaid - SoonerCare Choice 45

Medicaid – TEFRA 47

Medicaid - Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 49

Oklahoma ABLE Tech 51

Oklahoma ABLE Tech -AT Equipment Exchange Program 52

Oklahoma ABLE Tech - Oklahoma AgrAbility Program 54

Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education 55

Oklahoma Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped 57

Oklahoma Telecommunications Program: Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing 58

Senior Citizens Hearing Aid Project: Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing 60

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) 61

Social Security Work Incentives: Blind Work Expenses 63

Social Security Work Incentives: Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE) 65

Social Security Work Incentives: Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS) 67

SoonerStart – Early Intervention Program Plan 69

Special Education Program - Local Education Agency 71

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 75

Supplemental Security Income Disabled: Children’s Program (SSI-DCP) 78

Supported Employment Program 79

TRICARE 81

Veterans Benefits 83

Vocational Rehabilitation Program -Visual Services 85

Vocational Rehabilitation Program - Vocational Services 88

Section V:

Private Sources of Funding 91

American Cancer Society - Heartland Division 92

Angel Flight, Inc. 93

Arthritis Foundation 94

BancFirst Alternative Financing Program (AFP) 95

BancFirst Access Telework Fund (ATF) 97

Centers for Independent Living 99

Central Oklahoma Association for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired (COAD-HI) 100

Dog Ears 101

Donna Nigh Foundation 102

Easter Seals of Oklahoma 103

Hearing Loss Association (HLA) formerly SHHH 104

Limbs for Life Foundation 105

Muscular Dystrophy Association 106

National Federation of the Blind of Oklahoma 107

National Multiple Sclerosis Society 108

P.A.L.S. - Practical Assisted Living Systems 109

Sertoma Hearing Aid Recycling Program (SHARP) 110

Sooner AMBUCS Share4Life Komputer (ASK) 112

Tulsa Cerebral Palsy Association 113

United Cerebral Palsy of Oklahoma, Inc. 114

Disabled Children’s Relief Fund 115

Habitat for Humanity International 116

Multiple Sclerosis Association of America 117

Pearle Vision Foundation 118

Push America 119

Recordings for the Blind & Dyslexic 120

DaimlerChrysler Corporation: Automobility Program 121

Ford Motor Company: Ford Mobility Motoring Program 122

General Motors: General Motors Mobility Program 123

Appendix A: Laws that Impact AT 125

Appendix B: Public Agencies: Local Contacts 143

Appendix C: Private Agencies: Local Contacts 173

Appendix D: Additional Information Sources 183