Communication Equipment for Low Income People with Sight and Hearing Loss

Right now I'm in San Francisco at a Foundation Center network convention, picking the best brains in nonprofit funding. Among them is Sally Freaney of the Public Library of Youngstown-Mahoning  County. Her library's website included a link to I Can Connect, a federal program to put low income deaf-blind in touch with communication equipment and people who can train them to use it.

In this program, "deaf blind" means that the person has enough loss of hearing and sight to hinder their ability to communicate and use communication equipment.  Likewise, the income guidelines are more generous than you might think--as much as over $40,000 for individuals, and more for families. For more on the guidelines on who is eligible for free equipment and training see their website. For more information or a referral to a partner in your state, call 1-800-825-4595.

Financial Help for Adaptive Equipment for the Disabled

"Adaptive equipment" for the disabled covers a lot of ground. It can be anything as simple as equipment to aid mobility, prosthetic equipment, or software to help those with hearing or vision loss to use a computer. Financial assistance for equipment can be varied and creative, too. It can range from donation, to partial payment of the cost of equipment, loans, equipment exchanges, and resale of older equipment.

Among the places where you can find assistance is this site at AbleData, listing contacts for statewide agencies that run these programs. For amputees, the Barr Foundation provides some financial help in getting prosthetic devices and an amputee assistance fund.  The Given Limb Foundation has a program for amputee veterans.  The Association of Blind Citizens has a program that subsidizes software and adaptive equipment (running in cost between $200 and $6,000) for those who are legally blind and who are within certain income restrictions. It's aimed at equipment or software that will help blind people enhance their employment or become more independent.

Getting Free and Low-Cost Help for Medical Care

Finding financial help for medical care involves searching for 1) the resources in your area, such as clinics and 2) if you are able to identify it, resources for your disorder.

Many localities have low-cost or free public health clinics. Your county health department should be able to help you find one, or you can. The Health Resources and Services Administration has a website that can help you find one that's nearest to you. Enter your address or zip code, and it will even provide a map, if you choose, to show you where the clinic is.

Be aware of medical trials in which you may be eligible to take part. If you check out Clinical Trials, you will be able to search for trials that are or will be recruiting subjects. You can even search by disease, condition, and state or city (Only search by city if you live near a big one. Otherwise, it's not worth it.)

If you have a particular condition, try finding the local society or foundation in your area which is dedicated to helping alleviate it. They may know of some funding sources. Try finding a national organization that deals with your condition. Contact their personnel, or check out their website, to see if they have any information on financial help. Some organizations, such as local Easter Seals, may provide rental of medical equipment that you need. The American Council for the Blind has some sources listed, and the Deaf Education Center has financial aid sources for those who need hearing aids.

One big site is the National Library of Medicine's page on financial assistance. Finally, go to the federal government benefits portal, which lists federal programs of all sorts, including medical.