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
State	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
AR	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
DE	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
DC	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	-
FL	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
GA	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
GU	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
HI	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
ID	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
IL	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
IN	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
IA	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
KS	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
KY	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
ME	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
MD	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
MN	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
MS	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
MO	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
MT	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
NE	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
NC	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
ND	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
MP	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
OK	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
OR	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
PA	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
SC	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
SD	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
UT	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
VT	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
WA	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
WV	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
WI	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
WY	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

To Top

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).

To Top