Using Mini-Grants to
Fund Assistive Technology
for Students with Severe Disabilities
Assistive technology devices can often be the deciding factor in whether
a student with severe disabilities succeeds or fails in their educational programs. It is
widely accepted that assistive technology can enhance communication, inclusion in school
and community, and vocational opportunities for students with disabilities. Although IDEA
specifically identified the school districts responsibility to provide assistive
technology to students who need them to benefit from their educational programs, school
districts of all sizes often do not have funds available to purchase appropriate devices
for all students who need them. In these cases, mini-grants to local civic and business
organizations can often help to generate the needed funds.
Mini-grants can be developed to fund augmentative communication devices,
positioning equipment such as wheelchairs, standers, special chairs, and computers with
adapted access. Although mini-grants should not be viewed as a substitute to IDEA funds,
they do present an alternative means to obtain special funds to purchase equipment for
certain students. It can be a way for teachers, parents and administrators to team
together to obtain the money needed. Resources within the community can be sought and
mini-grant proposals can be written and submitted to businesses and civic groups such as
Lions clubs, the Junior League, Rotary International, and Kiwanis International.
Mini-grants submitted to community organizations should include:
Identifying information about the student, an explanation of the specific need for the
equipment, the benefits to the community, and the benefits to the organization. Once the
parents have given consent for the mini-grant proposal to be submitted, team members can
work together to write a proposal. Before submitting the proposal, some information should
be gathered on the organization and who the appropriate contacts in the organization are.
Some organizations have specific forms that can be completed; others will accept proposals
written in a letter format that address the areas listed above.
This article was adapted from:
Parette, Jr., H.P., Murdick, N.L., & Gartin, B.C. (1996). Mini-grant to the rescue. Teaching
Exceptional Children, 28, 20-23. with permission from the publications office of The Council for Exceptional Children. |
The following list provides some example of alternate funding sources
and is published by Augmentative Communication Consultants, Inc.
Funding
A quick reference list has been comprised of funding sources used by
professionals across the state to purchase equipment and services.
I. Public Agencies
A. ALS Foundation
B. Christina Foundation
C. Medicaid/Medicare
D. Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
E. Mental Health / Mental Retardation (MH/MR)
F. United Cerebral Palsy Association
G. Association of Retarded Citizens (ARC)
II. Private Agencies, Foundations, and Commercial Insurance
A. Travelers
B. Metropolitan Life
C. Prudential Insurance
D. Equitable Life
E. Mutual of Omaha
F. State Farm
G. Blue Cross/Blue Shield
H. Aetna
I. Champus
III. Service Organizations
A. Business and Professional Women's Associations
B. Exchange Club
C. Kiwanis
D. Elks
E. Lions
F. JayCees
G. Church Groups
H. "A Dream Come True"
I. "Make-A-Wish"
J. Masons/Shriners
K. Churches
L. Knights of Columbus
M. Quota Club
IV. Contributions
A. Private Individuals
B. Businesses
C. Sports Organizations
D. Athletes
V. The Many Faces of Funding: Monthly newsletter ($15 yearly) continues
to be an excellent source of current information, examples and encouraging news. The
newsletter is available from Phonic Ear, Inc., 250 Cumino Alto, Mill Valley, CA 94941.
The Funding Request
Funding requests should contain the following information:
- Cover letter
- Appropriate Agency Forms
- Physician prescription for communication prosthesis
- Pertinent literature describing device (when appropriate)
- Therapy evaluation and diagnostic reports
Specific Information to be included in the cover letter:
- Current patient/client status
- identifying information
- statement and description of nature of disability
- statement regarding communication abilities
- communicative dissonance
- cognitive abilities
- prognostic statement regarding ability to successfully communicate
without device
Changes in life functioning following receipt of device:
- How device will allow individual to maximize potential
- How device will permit control over one's environment
- How device will allow increased independence, self- sufficiency, and
ability to make choices in daily living care
Description of Device
- model number and company (with address)
- brief description
- needed accessories
- cost
Useful Terminology For Funding Requests
Medicare
- medically necessary
- reasonable and necessary
- durable medical equipment
- prosthetic device
Medicaid
- achieving and maintaining self-support to prevent, reduce or eliminate
dependency
- self-sufficiency
- preserving, rehabilitating, or reuniting families
- health-related
- prosthetic appliance
- physician-prescribed equipment part of client's medical treatment plan
- restoration of the patient to his best functional level
Crippled Children's Services
- frequently pay cost of whatever health care is indicated
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
- services, training, and equipment used to enhance the employability of
handicapped individuals
- vocational potential
- independent living status
- eligibility for vocational rehabilitation based on:
- presence of physical or mental disability which results in substantial
handicap to employment.
- reasonable expectations that vocational rehabilitation services may
benefit an individual's employability or independent living status.
KEY POINTS FOR FUNDING OF AUGMENTATIVE COMMUNICATION DEVICES
- Physician's prescription for a prosthetic device
- Introduction
- A statement of purpose (i.e., purchase of a speech prosthesis)
- Review of the individual's medical diagnosis and history
- Outline of expected benefits from use of a specified speech prosthesis
- Medical diagnosis
- General discussion of the individual's disease, with citations from
medical journal articles indluded
- Functional Abilities
- Assessment of the individual's functional skills
- Assessments by qualified personnel in the areas of speech, language,
cognition, psycho/social functioning, vision, hearing, and motor ability
- Evaluation
- This section systematically develops the case for the individual's need
of an electronic speech prosthesis
- Analysis focused on speed of communication using present system
- Comparison between various electronic speech prosthesis including: speed,
accuracy, price and output modes
- Conclusion
- How the individual will benefit medically by being able to communicate
with physicians, etc.
- Supporting documentation
- When possible supporting letters from the individual's physical
therapist, occupational therapist, optometrist, social worker or teacher
- Include a brochure or picture describing the speech prosthetic device
chosen for the individual
- A claims form filled out and signed by the policy holder
Within four to six weeks a preauthorization letter will be sent to
either the family or the physician. Depending on the insurance company 80% to 100% of the
cost will be paid. The time of the year is important to receive 100% payment. By mid-year
most handicapped children have already surpassed their deductibles.
Contact the company you wish to purchase the device from and inform them
that you have a preauthorization.
They will work out a way for direct payment to them or shipping and
billing before a check is sent.
If you receive a denial, read the wording carefully and respond directly
to the reason for the denial. Often the reason for the denial is inaccurate. If denied a
second time, request an appeal.
By Helen Gray, Richmond UCP
LIST OF POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES
Private Insurance
- health insurance
- worker's compensation
- disability insurance
- self-insured employer benefits
Medicaid
- clinical services
- intermediate care facilities for individuals with mental retardation and
other developmental disabilities
- Early periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment programs
Medicare
Social Security Benefits
- Social Security Disability Insurance
- Supplemental Security Income
- Plans to Achieve Self Sufficiency
Developmental Disability Programs
Head Start Program
Vocational Rehabilitation
Independent Living Program
Supported Employment
Special Education Programs
- Early Intervention Program under (P.L. 99-457)
- Education of the Handicapped Act (P.L. 94-142)
- Statewide Supplemental Programs, Chapter I (89-313)
Veterans Administration
Loan Programs
- state bond issues
- corporate-sponsored loans
- revolving loan funds
- private foundations
- charitable organizations
- service clubs
- public/private partnerships
- special appropriations from state legislature