National and Local COAT Affiliates Support Funds for Assistive Technology Loan Programs

November 3, 2011. COAT affiliates at both the national and local level recently supported an effort to fund anew the consumer assistive technology loan programs originally authorized in the Assistive Technology Act. In two letters sent to the U.S. Congress (attached below), and signed by more than sixty disability organizations, the consumer groups stated they strongly support a $5.7m appropriation for Alternative Financing Programs (AFPs) for individuals with disabilities throughout the U.S.  Such programs provide affordable financing to help people with disabilities pay for adapted and assistive technologies needed to live independently, to succeed at school and at work, and to otherwise live active and productive lives. In most cases, such programs support acquisition of technology not funded by any other public or private programs or where eligibility factors create barriers.

COAT national leading organizations that signed on to this letter included American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), American Council of the Blind (ACB), Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), National Association of the Deaf (NAD), National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), and World Institute on Disability (WID). Additionally, four COAT state or local affiliates signed these letter: Pennsylvania AT Foundation, IndependentFIRST, North Country Independent Living , and the Wisconsin Coalition of Independent Living Centers. 

The loan funding proposal includes some key principles for Alternative Financing Programs (AFPs) such as:

• Alternative financing is defined as credit-building activities, including low-interest, guaranteed, direct and/or revolving loans;
• AFPs should provide information and assistance about other possible assistive technology (AT) funding resources and offer financial literacy education;
• all new AFPs must be based in consumer-directed, consumer-controlled organizations with people who have disabilities involved in the development and management of all programs;
• AFPs should support consumer-choice and build programs that will provide financing for the full array of AT devices and services;
• All people, regardless of type of disability or health condition, age, level of income and residence must have access to the AFP programs.

One letter was sent to Chairman Dennis Rehberg (R-MT) and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Committee. The other letter was sent to Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Ranking Member Richard Shelby (R-AL) of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and  Health and Human Services, Education Related Agencies.

The letters attached below list the names of the other  disability organizations across the country that also support this effort.

COAT welcomes efforts -- such as AFPs and similar micro loan programs -- that facilitate the ability of people with any disability and means to secure the devices they need.