Health Law

Is Assistive Technology Out of Your Financial Reach?

Given the tremendous impact assistive technology can have on the lives of children and adults with cerebral palsy, it’s unfortunate that the devices are often out of reach financially for many families. One cerebral palsy resource families may want to look into is the Bellows Fund.

The Bellows Fund is named after Elsie S. Bellows, who in 1995 left money to United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) to provide assistive technology funding to families that demonstrate financial need. Families with a special need child and individuals with disability may apply for a grant from various UCP affiliates nationwide.

Grant money must be used to purchase approved assistive technology devices, defined by the government as:

Any piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

Items that qualify as assistive technology under this definition include:

• Wheelchairs
• Hearing/visual aids
• Van lifts
• Computer equipment

To learn more about qualifying for a Bellows Fund grant, contact your local UCP affiliate. If your affiliate does not offer the grant, you may wish to encourage them to apply for funding.

Full post as published by Cerebral Palsy Law Blog on January 23, 2009 (boomark / email).