Funding for Work
Funding for assistive technology (AT) for adults pursuing vocational goals may be available through state, federal, and/or private sources. These funding sources are organized by disability category as follows:
For people with physical and/or mental disabilities (except the legally blind)
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission: Vocational Rehabilitation
- State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies are a major funding source for assistive technology (AT) for working-age individuals with disabilities. Read more about VR
Medicaid or Private Insurance
- If a device is medically necessary, it is sometimes easier to obtain AT such as seating, positioning, mobility, and speech prostheses (alternative augmentative communication) devices through private insurance or Medicaid than it is through VR.
See “Funding Medically Necessary AT”.
Reasonable Accommodations Provided by Employer
- Employers have the responsibility to purchase AT as a “reasonable accommodation” under the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Read more about Reasonable Accommodations
Worker’s Compensation
If a person’s disability resulted from a work-related illness or injury, Worker’s Compensation may cover the cost of AT devices and services. To learn more about Worker’s Compensation, visit the Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents (www.mass.gov/dia) and download the Injured Worker’s Guide.
Social Security Work Incentive Programs
- These programs allow persons with disabilities to set aside income to pay for AT or services while retaining Social Security eligibility.
Read more about Work Incentive Programs
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.
Read more about MATLP
For people who are legally blind
- Massachusetts Commission for the Blind: Vocational Rehabilitation
State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies are a major funding source for assistive technology (AT) for working-age individuals with disabilities. Read more about VR
Medicaid or Private Insurance
- If a device is medically necessary, it is sometimes easier to obtain AT such as seating, positioning, mobility, and speech prostheses (alternative augmentative communication) devices through other funding sources such as private insurance or Medicaid than it is through VR. See “Funding Medically Necessary AT”.
Reasonable Accommodations Provided by Employer
- Employers have the responsibility to purchase AT as a “reasonable accommodation” under the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Read more about Reasonable Accommodations
Worker’s Compensation
- If a person’s disability resulted from a work-related illness or injury, Worker’s Compensation may cover the cost of AT devices and services. To learn more about Worker’s Compensation, visit the Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents (www.mass.gov/dia) and download the Injured Worker’s Guide.
Social Security Work Incentive Programs
- These programs allow persons with disabilities to set aside income to pay for AT or services while retaining Social Security eligibility. Read more about Work Incentive Programs
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. Read more MATLP
For people with mental retardation
Department of Mental Retardation
- Individuals who are clients of the Department of Mental Retardation (DMR) may be eligible to receive AT through DMR’s Adaptive Technology Services. Read more about DMR Services
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. Read more about MATLP
For people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late-Deafened or Oral Deaf
Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH)
- Hearing Aid/AT Resources
Need funding for a hearing aid or other related AT? MCDHH (at Mass.gov) provides this AT Web page with numerous useful resource links including: “Financial Assistance for Hearing Aids” (public and private sources), and “Hearing Aid Purchase Plan/Financing Information.” - Case Management and Social Services Department: AT Fund
The Case Management and Social Services Department administers the MCDHH Assistive Technology Fund, which is last resort funding for AT for individuals denied services by other sources. - Department of Interpreter/CART Referral Services
This department provides access to sign language interpreter services and other interpreter/transliterator services, including Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART); the Department also maintains a fund for the purchase of interpreter and CART services for situations in which no one is legally responsible to pay for the service. - Communication Access, Technology, and Training Services (CATTS)
CATTS provides technical assistance to organizations and individuals to improve working environments for employees with hearing loss. Advocacy assistance is also available.
Reasonable Accommodations Provided by Employer
- Employers have the responsibility to purchase AT as a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Read more about Reasonable Accommodations
Worker’s Compensation
- If a person’s disability resulted from a work-related illness or injury, Worker’s Compensation may cover the cost of AT devices and services. To learn more about Worker’s Compensation, visit the Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents at www.mass.gov/dia and download the Injured Worker’s Guide.
Social Security Work Incentive Programs
- These programs allow persons with disabilities to set aside income to pay for AT or services while retaining Social Security eligibility.
Read more about Work Incentive Programs
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. Read more about MATLP
For veterans with disabilities
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
The VA is the largest single medical care system in the United States and one of the largest purchasers of assistive technology for people with disabilities. Access to eligibility and benefits information is provided here.
- Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Division (VR&E)
This division helps veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for and find jobs within their physical, mental, and emotional capabilities and may pay for needed assistive technology devices and services. - Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service
The VA’s Prosthetics and Sensory Aids program may buy AT devices for veterans receiving VA care for any condition. - Hearing Aids and Eyeglasses
Certain veterans are eligible for hearing aids, audiology tests, eyeglasses, and eye exams through the VA. - Services for Blind Veterans
Various AT devices and services may be available to blind veterans enrolled in the VA health care system.