How to Get and Pay for Assistive Equipment -
North Carolina Resources
Resources for paying for assistive technology/equipment are similar nationwide. Government funded programs such as Medicare and Medicaid may help. Yet, each state has the option to provide more resources, and non-profits may also help. State agencies provide various types of assistance. Even if they don't provide cash payments for assistive technology, by providing other needed services at no charge, a person with a disability would then be able to used saved resources to access assistive equipment.
To follow are some of the resources available in North Carolina.
Financial Loans for Equipment
Loans of Equipment
NC Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program
Used Equipment
Vocational Rehabilitation & Independent Living Services
Assistive Technology Specialists
| In North Carolina, there are Assistive Technology Specialists (through NCATP) available to provide hands-on demonstrations of the types of devices available to help and to help you find and arrange for assistance. |  |
| Eastern North Carolina (Triangle and east of the Triangle) Station Square Center Station Square Suite 163 Rocky Mount, NC 27804 1-252-446-4330 |
| Western North Carolina (Charlotte and west of the Triangle) Executive Center 5501 Executive Center Drive, Suite 105 Charlotte, NC 28212 1-704-566-2899 |
| Mountain Region (Asheville & far western NC) Bonnie Center Harris Regional Hospital 68 Hospital Road Sylva, NC 28779 1-828-631-9461 |
Developmental Disabilities Services
Local Mental Health Departments have services to help the developmentally disabled. If your family member qualifies for their programs, assistive technology may be available as part of what they offer.
Financial Loans for Equipment
The North Carolina Assistive Technology Program has a Funding Specialist on staff. The specialist can help you determine what type of funding is available and appropriate for your needs. Limited financial loans may be available under certain circumstances.
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1-919-850-2787 |
Loans of Equipment
The North Carolina Assistive Technology Program offers a device loan program that helps individuals try out equipment in the location they will use it. "It’s a “try before you buy” approach which helps individuals and funding agencies make wiser choices."
Types of equipment might be:
- augmentative communication (for people with limited speech)
- computer access
- low-vision aids
- assistive listening
- aids for daily living
- switches
- environmental controls
- adaptive toys
- recreational devices
Devices can be borrowed for a two week period. Contact a local NCATP Center for more information.
Local groups sometimes have or know of equipment that is available for loan as well. Contact your local aging agency, Department of Social Services, Health Department, etc. for availability.
NC Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program
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This program, TEDP, is part of the Telecommunications Relay Service established by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1999. The Utilities Commission of NC regulates the TEDP. It provides access to telecommunication devices for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, or speech impaired who have limited income. |
The devices are paid for through the Relay Service surcharge collected by local telephone companies each month on all local residential and business telephone lines.
Types of devices available are:
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Applications are made through a Regional Resource Center. If you qualify for the equipment through this program, you will receive the equipment within four to six weeks. The local Resource Center can help with installation or training on the equipment.
For more information on this program, call 1-800-999-5737. Or, contact one of the seven Regional Resource Centers in NC.
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1--800-999-5737 |
| Asheville | 1-800-681-7999 |
| Charlotte | 1-800-835-5302 |
| Greensboro | 1-888-467-3413 |
| Morganton | 1-800-999-8915 |
| Raleigh | 1-800-851-6099 |
| Wilmington | 1-800-205-9915 |
| Wilson | 1-800-999-6828 |
Used Equipment
The Partnership in Assistive Technology is a non-profit whose mission is to increase knowledge about and access to assistive technology for North Carolinians with disabilities. As a free service to North Carolina residents, individuals may list used assistive devices for sale and/or they may list items that they would like to purchase. The information is in a database that can be accessed by anyone.
Vocational Rehabilitation & Independent Living Services
Local Departments of Rehabilitation and Independent Living also may offer assistive technology to qualified applicants of their programs. They provide services that enable individuals with significant disabilities to live and function in the homes and communities of their choice.
