Aging and Disability Resource Centers

The place for information and assistance!
Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) are the first place to go with your aging and disability questions. ADRCs are service centers that provide a place for the public to get accurate, unbiased information on all aspects of life related to aging or living with a disability. These centers are friendly, welcoming places anyone can contact to receive information and assistance regarding not only the public benefits that may be available, but all of the programs and service available throughout the area. Individuals, concerned families or friends, or professionals working with issues related to aging, physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, mental health issues, or substance use disorders, can receive information specifically tailored to each person's situation. ADRC services can be provided at the Center, or via telephone or through a home visit, whichever is more convenient to the individual seeking help.

 

Area Agencies on Aging

County and tribal aging offices are the focal points for the communities they serve in providing Information & Assistance, Home Delivered and Congregate Meals (senior dining sites), Transportation, Caregiver Support, Benefit Specialist services, Volunteer opportunities, and other programs serving persons age 60 and older, their families and caregivers. Area agency on aging staff provide technical and program planning assistance and support to county and tribal aging unit staff and their colleagues in the aging network.

 

Blind or Low Vision Programs - State

The Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, Office for the Blind and Visually Impaired, is the government agency designated to provide assessment, training and information to adults with vision loss, their families and interested professionals. These services exist to enhance independent living skills and quality of life for persons with vision loss.

 

Churches

Local churches often may have programs that can assist a person with locating free or discounted labor accessibility projects such as ramps or bathroom modification. Some congregations may also set up special funding assistance programs for members.

 

County Human Service Departments

Each County within Wisconsin supports human services type departments. The programs available will vary depending on what is offered in that particular county.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Programs - State

ODHH's mission is to ensure that the variety of life's choices and equal opportunities are available to all deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing people.
In carrying out our mission, we provide leadership, information and assistance, education, and prevention through:

-collaboration with customers and agencies leading to informed and supportive community environments
-community outreach and educational efforts
-promotion of the utilization of qualified interpreters

Disability Specific Organizations
Organizations that provide services to specific disabilities are often an option to explore when looking for funding resources for assistive technology.

Employee Flexible Benefits plans
Many employers offer a Flexible Benefits spending account in which an employee may put aside pre-tax income to be used towards the cost of certain out of pocket medical or heath related items. This plan may be called a Cafeteria Plan or Flex Plan.

Employers

Assistive Technology can be provided in an employment setting as a reasonable accommodation.

The Americans with Disabilities Act information:

Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which took effect July 26, 1992, prohibits private employers, state and local governments, employment agencies and labor unions from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities in job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment. An individual with a disability is a person who:

Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities;
Has a record of such an impairment; or
Is regarded as having such an impairment.
A qualified employee or applicant with a disability is an individual who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the job in question. Reasonable accommodation may include, but is not limited to:

Making existing facilities used by employees readily accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities.
Job restructuring, modifying work schedules, reassignment to a vacant position;
Acquiring or modifying equipment or devices, adjusting modifying examinations, training materials, or policies, and providing qualified readers or interpreters.
An employer is required to make an accommodation to the known disability of a qualified applicant or employee if it would not impose an "undue hardship" on the operation of the employer's business. Undue hardship is defined as an action requiring significant difficulty or expense when considered in light of factors such as an employer's size, financial resources and the nature and structure of its operation.

An employer is not required to lower quality or production standards to make an accommodation, nor is an employer obligated to provide personal use items such as glasses or hearing aids.

Internal Revenue Service - tax deductions

The IRS may have tax deductions that will apply for a person who has a disability.

Elderly and Disabled Credit
You can take the credit for the elderly or the disabled if you meet both of the following requirements:

You are a qualified individual.
Your income is not more than certain limits.
For more information please see the IRS Fact Sheet:
http://www.irs.gov/publications/p524/index.html

Medical Expense Deductions
Certain medical or health related expenses may be deductible for individuals who itemize their taxes. These expenses must be more than a certain % of your adjusted gross income amount. For more information visit:
http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc502.html

Local Service Clubs

Community service groups may promote funding assistance towards certain disability categories or towards specific types of assistive technology. Examples include:

Lions Foundation - http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/index.shtml
Sertoma - http://www.sertoma.org/
Rotary International

Long term care organizations

Long term care services through the State of Wisconsin include many programs, some of which may provide for financial assistance with assistive technology.

 

Medical Assistance

You may qualify for Medicaid if you are a citizen of the United States or an "eligible" person, meet the financial eligibility requirements, and are in one of the following categories:

A relative caretaker of a deprived child*.
Pregnant.
Under age 19.
Age 65 or older.
Blind or disabled.
*A deprived child is a child

 

Medicare

Medicare is a health insurance program that may assist with certain health-related assistive technology items.

 

Personal and / or Family resources

Personal or family resources may be an option to consider when funding assistive technology. Several options include:
Employee Flexible Spending benefit plans
Reverse Mortgages
Wisloan
Telework
Personal loans
Family members
IRS deductions

 

Private Foundations or Charities

Many local foundations or charities can be found in your community, which may be a resource for funding assistance for assistive technology. These resources can be found by visiting your local library, your local independent living center or searching online.

 

Private Insurance

Private healthcare insurance may be a resource that can assist with the purchase of assistive technology. Please see the Explanation of Benefits information provided by your healthcare insurer.
Rental subsidy adjustments

 

Reverse Mortgages

Reverse Mortgages: Get the Facts Before Cashing In On Your Home's Equity
Whether seeking money to finance a home improvement, pay off a current mortgage, supplement their retirement income, or pay for healthcare expenses, many older Americans are turning to "reverse" mortgages. They allow older homeowners to convert part of the equity in their homes into cash without having to sell their homes or take on additional monthly bills.

In a "regular" mortgage, you make monthly payments to the lender. But in a "reverse" mortgage, you receive money from the lender and generally don't have to pay it back for as long as you live in your home. Instead, the loan must be repaid when you die, sell your home, or no longer live there as your principal residence. Reverse mortgages can help homeowners who are house-rich but cash-poor stay in their homes and still meet their financial obligations.

To qualify for most reverse mortgages, you must be at least 62 and live in your home. The proceeds of a reverse mortgage (without other features, like an annuity) are generally tax-free, and many reverse mortgages have no income restrictions. Please visit the website listed above for more consumer information on reverse mortgages.

School Districts

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.
Infants and toddlers with disabilities (birth-2) and their families receive early intervention services under IDEA Part C. Children and youth (ages 3-21) receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.

 

Social Security work incentives

www.ssa.gov or
Work incentives cover a wide range of topics and assistive technology expenses may apply.

 

The Telecommunications Assistance Program (TAP)

TAP provides funds to people who meet income and hearing loss eligibility criteria to enable them to purchase special telecommunication devices, such as a TTY. TAP also supports Telecommunication Equipment Purchase Program (TEPP) (exit DHFS).

 

Telephone Equipment Purchase Programs (TEPP)

The Telecommunications Equipment Purchase Program (TEPP) helps people with disabilities purchase equipment necessary for access to essential, basic telephone service.

 

Telework

The Wisconsin Telework Program is a statewide, alternative loan program that allows Wisconsin residents with disabilities to purchase computers and other equipment needed to work from home or from other remote sites away from the office, such as work on the road or at a telework center.

Universities / Colleges

Colleges and Universities must provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. These services can be accessed by meeting with the Student Services or Disability Services offices on most campuses.

Veterans Administration

The Veterans Administration offers benefits and programs to members of the armed forces.

Vocational Rehabilitation Programs - State

Vocational Rehabilitation services assist individuals with disabilities with obtaining and maintaining employment. Assistive Technology services may be part of this process.

 

WisLoan

The WisLoan program offers loans for assistive technology. The loans help people buy equipment such as hearing aids, modified vehicles, wheelchairs and ramps. Independent living centers throughout the state provide technical assistance, applications and assistive technology services.

The program is open to Wisconsin residents of all ages who have a disability. There are no income requirements, and individuals are not required to exhaust personal or public funding. Under the program, banks provide loans to qualified borrowers. Loan amounts depend on the item purchased and the ability to repay the loan.