When most policy makers talk about helping low income individuals finance the assets needed to “get ahead,” they are not thinking about “assistive technology.” As defined in the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 and other federal laws, the term, assistive technology, refers to any device used to maintain or enhance the functional capabilities of a person with a disability and any related service including assistive technology evaluations, training, maintenance and repairs.   Out in the community, the term refers to the range of low and high tech devices that people with disabilities use to live, learn, work and “play” more independently – wheelchairs, hearing aids, adapted vehicles, computers and cell phones (with and without adaptations), Braille Notetakers, home accessibility modifications and adaptive recreation equipment – just to name a few. 

Ask almost any person with a disability who uses such technologies, and they are likely to tell you that these are their most important assets. They also are likely to tell you that there are times when they have been unable to pay for such assets – either because they are on limited incomes or the devices they need are just “too expensive” or both.

Although it is often assumed that all assistive technologies for people with disabilities are paid for by public and private health insurance and/or various government programs, that is simply not the case. In fact, research indicates that nearly 50% of all assistive technology purchases are financed by individuals with disabilities and/or their families using their own personal resources (RESNA, Highlights from University of Michigan Survey of Assistive Technology Users, http://www.resnaprojects.org/nattap/library/bibl/highlights.html). This is fine if you have such resources, but as amply demonstrated by the most recent National Organization on Disability Harris Poll (comparing people with and without disabilities on various measures of socio-economic participation), many people with disabilities do not (http://jfactivist.typepad.com/jfactivist/2010/07/nod-harris-poll-result-show-gaps-for-pwd-in-multiple-sectors.html). See also http://www.disabilitystatistics.org to locate relevant data for your state. 

The Washington Access Fund is one of a number of Assistive Technology Loan Funds established throughout the United States to provide low interest loans for assistive technology and home and vehicle accessibility modifications as one means of bridging these funding gaps. The Access Fund is a non-profit certified by the U.S. Department of Treasury as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), meaning that although anyone can apply for its programs, the focus is on low income individuals and those who lack access to traditional financial services due to their income, credit history or employment status and/or the nature of the technology needed (http://www.cdfifund.gov). The Fund’s Board of Directors is majority controlled by individuals with disabilities who use a range of technologies and who understand and live the link between access to technology and success at school, at work, at “play” and in the community on a daily basis.

The Fund provides low-interest (5%) loans for any device that “maintains or enhances the functional capabilities of a person with a disability” and also for assistive technology related services such as repairs or training. The Fund also partners with the Washington Council of the Blind (WCB) to offer 0% interest loans for its members. WCB provides the loan capital and the Fund administers the program. Loans range in size from $250 to $10,000. [1] Access Fund loans are available for any type of assistive technology for any purpose (independent living, education, employment, education, community participation, recreation and exercise), and they have been used to pay for a range of devices from baby monitors and fire alarms for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to cell phones to wheelchairs (co-pays and wheelchairs or wheelchair components such as headlights not covered by health insurance) to specialized mattresses to adaptive recreation equipment and/or modified bikes for community to work. The top four devices funded include hearing aids, computers and related software, vehicle accessibility modifications and equipment for individuals who are blind or visually impaired (such as computers with screen enlargers or voice and Braille output) – all items typically not financed by health insurance or other government programs. Technical assistance provided to borrowers includes tips on selecting and paying for assistive technologies, referral to appropriate vendors and AT service providers and informal advice and referrals on money management and credit repair. 

In addition to assistive technology, the Fund also offers low interest (5%) loans for business equipment for entrepreneurs and employees with disabilities. This program is funded through a U.S. Department of Education grant with the goal of helping people with disabilities pay for the equipment they need to work from home or other “Telework” location – or to start or expand their own business.  Most of the Fund’s business equipment loans are for self-employment – not surprising since the option of self-employment is increasingly viewed as a viable alternative – given the high rates of unemployment and underemployment among individuals with disabilities. Eighteen months ago, the Fund added an eight week training program on how to plan for and start your own business. This popular course is now offered three times a year via webinar. Business ideas funded and/or researched include quilting, embroidery, audio books, vending machines, landscaping, computer repair and servicing, gourmet chocolates and a variety of consulting and therapy services. Participants enjoy being able to sign on from home or work without having to worry about travel or traffic, and the online format enabled the Access Fund to work with clients throughout the state. Students also appreciated the interaction with other participants and the structured curriculum with its step by step approach to building a business plan. The classes are captioned, as needed, and ASL users participate via video relay. The Fund also offers monthly networking meetings for borrowers and business training graduates. The networking meetings feature speakers of interest and an opportunity for participants to discuss progress and challenges in developing their businesses.

The Access Fund recently disbursed its $1,000,000th dollar in loans. Most borrowers to date are low income – with 69% to date living in households below 80% of the statewide median and 50% in households at or below 50% of the statewide median. Many are on SSI – just $674 per month. Only about 40% are employed, but an increasing number are seeking funding for devices needed to obtain or retain employment (e.g., hearing aids). Even borrowers with higher household incomes typically face financial barriers – such as poor credit related to their disabilities. The 2009 Borrower Survey asked current and former borrowers about the primary reasons why they chose to pay for their technology with an Access Fund loan. 96% reported that it was the only way they could afford to purchase the technology. Additional reasons cited include the fact that the Access Fund accommodates income and/or credit history (71% of respondents), the availability of a “better interest rate” (67% of respondents) and flexible loan terms (49%). In spite of serving a primarily low income population, the Fund has a low 1.8% default rate – testament to the importance of this technology and the dedication of borrowers and staff to successful repayment. It is also exciting news to the many borrowers who successfully pay off their loans since the Fund reports repayment histories to at least one of the major credit bureaus through its partnership with the Credit Builders Alliance (http://www.creditbuildersalliance.org/), and with repeat borrowers, it already has seen improved credit scores from one loan to the next!

The Access Fund continues to seek out innovative ways to help clients pay for needed technologies. One such program is long term, low cost CCTV leasing program. The Fund seeks to serve individuals of all ages including seniors with age related hearing, vision and mobility limitations who may not think of themselves as “persons with disabilities” and who may not necessarily be prepared to take on a loan. One of the least talked about challenges facing this population is vision loss in near epidemic proportions due primarily to macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Originally financed with the help of the Department of Services for the Blind and now funded through private contributions and foundation grants, the Fund’s CCTV Magnifier Rental Program is designed primarily to provide low-income seniors with a way to pay for the magnification tools they need to live independently. Renters pay $25-$35 per month (or less depending upon income) for the CCTVs which they can keep as long as they like. 96% of renters are over 65, with 54% being 85 or older. Of those reporting in the 2009 Survey (41), 68% of renters have per capita incomes of $1,500 a month or less, 37% have per capita incomes of less than $1,000, but more importantly, 95% reported improvements in the ability to do things on their own with 68% reporting strong or very strong improvements. 

The Fund also is very interested in promoting participation by people with disabilities in Individual Development Account (IDA) or matched savings programs. This has long been a particular challenge for people with disabilities who may not know about these programs and/or believe they are restricted from participating by state and federal asset limits for programs such as SSI and Medicaid. Also, federally funded IDA programs do not allow savings from unearned income and do not specifically identify “assistive technology” as an asset. Thanks to Washington state legislation, the Access Fund has been able to demonstrate the merits of IDAs for assistive technology. In February, 2008, a new state-wide pilot project was launched in collaboration with United Way of King County using $40,000 provided by the state's Department of Commerce from Washington’s innovative state IDA program that allows saving from unearned income and allows saving for assistive technology as an asset. The Access Fund currently has 16 participants with savings goals of $2,000 to $4,000. Participant’s savings are matched dollar for dollar and can go towards any assistive technology needed for work related activities or education and training leading to employment. Participants are required to take trainings in financial literacy and assistive technology selection and funding before they can make a purchase. To date, over $23,000 of assets have been purchased through this pilot program. At the beginning, the cumulative savings goal was just over $15,000, and when this program ends in June 2011, participants will have exceeded that goal. So far, assets purchased have included accessible vehicles, computers, vision aids and communication devices. Thanks to recent approval by the U.S. Department of Education of the concept, the Fund also is expecting to launch a Business Equipment IDA starting in its next fiscal year.

There are Assistive Technology and Telework Business Equipment Loan Funds in a number of other states. To find one in your community, visit http://www.resnaprojects.org/AFTAP/state/RESNA.html. For questions or more information about the Washington Access Fund, check out the website at http://www.washingtonaccessfund.org or contact us at info@washingtonaccessfund.org or (206) 328-5116. If you are interested in learning more about initiatives to expand participation by people with disabilities in IDAs, check the CFED Assets for Independence Reauthorization position paper at http://cfed.org/policy/federal_policy_advocacy/AFIA_Reauthorization_One_Pager_Final.pdf. Among other things, CFED is calling for the elimination of the earned income requirement in federally funded IDAs and expansion of demonstration programs specifically designed for people with disabilities.

*Washington Access Fund changed its name from the Washington Assistive Technology Foundation in April 2010.