Funding for School

School age children with disabilities who need assistive technology (AT) devices and services to benefit from their education may be entitled to it free of charge from their school districts. The type of AT that a student may need varies from simple and inexpensive (e.g., pencil grip) to more expensive devices (e.g., amplification system). Below are explanations of the federal laws that provide these benefits and how AT may be accessed through each of them.

*This page has been adapted from the Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative fact sheet “Public Schools” available at www.dati.org. Please note that information provided herein has no effect of law or regulation, and in no way constitutes an official notification of benefits.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

The IDEA is the primary mechanism by which students with disabilities acquire the AT they need to benefit from their education. Read more.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act defines an “individual with a disability” more broadly than the IDEA, and can sometimes help students receive services including AT who are not covered by the IDEA. Two provisions of the ADA offer additional protections for students in public schools. Read more.

Other Funding Options to Consider

Public and Private Medical Insurance

Some AT is considered both “medically necessary” and needed for a student’s education. In these cases there are advantages to pursuing funding through a family’s health insurance provider rather than the school district, but the device should still be listed on the student’s IEP. See Funding for Medically Necessary AT.

Massachusetts Assistive Technology Loan Program

The MATLP gives people with disabilities and their families access to low-interest cash loans to buy the assistive technology devices they need. See Loan Information.

The Hearing Aid Program for Infants and Children (at MDPH)

Hearing aids are an example of AT best owned by the student, and not the school district. This program at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) can help income-eligible families (whose health insurance won’t cover the expense) afford a hearing aid. Read more

The Hearing Aid Program for Infants and Children offers financial assistance for hearing aids to families with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Who is Eligible?

Children from birth to age 21 are eligible to apply. Applicants must have pursued all other available sources of funding to be considered (including health insurance) and meet income eligibility guidelines. In 2012 a family of four may earn a maximum adjusted gross income of $69,150. See the financial guidelines (PDF) for more information.

What AT is Provided?

The program reimburses eligible families for hearing aid purchases. Visit www.mass.gov/mcdhh for additional funding recommendations for Hearing Aid Purchase Plan/Financing.

Contact:

Janet Farrell, Director
Universal Newborn Hearing Screening
Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition
250 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02108
(800) 882-1435 or (617) 624-5959
(617) 994-9822 Fax
(617) 624-5992 TTY
Email newborn.hearing@state.ma.us
Universal Newborn Hearing Screening web page