Paying for Your Assistive Technology in College - Página 2

Tips on Language to Use When Asking for AT Funding

Increase your odds of success when contacting funding sources. Here are some tips on language to use.

Higher Education Sources: Emphasize how technology has helped you in the past (for example, screening reading software or audio texts) and how it is essential to your achieving your current and future, educational and pre-vocational goals.
Vocational Sources: Stress how the technology is necessary to help you achieve your employment goals and self-sufficiency in life. For instance, if you have a math learning disability (i.e., dyscalculia), you may need a talking calculator in college to pass required classes – and as an adult to balance your personal bank statement and perform basic math computations on the job.
Medical Sources: Highlight the medical necessity and the remedial nature of the technology equipment for your personal use. For example, some scanning and screen reading software facilitates bookmarking and note-taking, critical tasks for studying and organizing print material -- and areas of pronounced deficit for students with dyslexia, AD/HD, and central auditory processing disorders.

AT Loan Programs and Libraries, Demo Programs, and More

If you cannot obtain AT funding from your college or federal programs, don’t worry! Many states have Alternative Financing Programs (AFPs), which offer students affordable loans for the purchase of assistive technology.

• State AT and Telework Financial Loan Programs

There are also programs that will let you borrow or try out AT equipment. State assistive technology programs are located in all 50 states and six U.S. territories and are funded under the Technology Related Assistance of Individuals with Disabilities Act (Tech Act). Under this Act, states are awarded grants to develop assistive devices and provide equipment demonstration, training, and technical assistance for individuals with disabilities.

• AbleData’s Assistive Technology Equipment Loan Programs Information Center
• National Assistive Technology Technical Assistance Partnership (NATTAP)
• Alliance for Technology Access

Digital/Audio Book Library Services

Organizations such as Bookshare and Learning Ally provide extensive collections of accessible materials -- books and textbooks in digital/audio form. Memberships for Bookshare and Learning Ally are free for U.S. students with qualifying disabilities, including print disabilities such as dyslexia.

As an individual with LD, you’re used to using creativity and determination to advocate for your needs. Now that you know about these different AT funding sources, you can take charge of supporting your success in college.

Additional Resources

• HEATH Resource Center’s “Show Me the Money! Options for Paying for College”
• State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies
• HEATH Resource Center’s “Vocational Rehabilitation Services: Can It Help You?”
• Benefits.gov -- TRIO Student Support Services