1 AT & Public Funding Employment Department of Rehabilitation Services or equipment needed to achieve your employment goals. Social Security Work incentive.

1

AT & Public Funding

Employment

Department ofRehabilitation

SocialSecurity

Services or equipment needed to achieve your

employment goals.

Work incentive programs that allow you to work and limit the impact your earnings will have

on your benefits.

2

Vocational RehabilitationEligibility:

• The federal Rehabilitation Act provides for vocational and independent living services to people with disabilities if:

– You have a physical or mental disability which is a substantial impediment to employment; and

– You require services to prepare, secure, retain or regain employment.

• In California, the agency responsible for providing vocational services is the Department of Rehabilitation. The Department also administers the Assistive Technology and Transportation Loan Guarantee Program.

3

Vocational RehabilitationIndividualized Plan for Employment:

• Equipment and services must be described in a written document, called an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). If you need technology, your IPE must include the following:

– The specific rehabilitation technology services you need;

– How the technology will be provided to you in the most integrated setting; and

– Who will provide the technology and any services related to its acquisition and use.

4

AT & Public Funding

MultipleServices

RegionalCenters

VeteransAdministration

PublicPrograms

Assessment, services and case management

for people with developmental

disabilities

A range of services for veterans who leave active military service.

Accommodation for access or benefit

from public services, activities or programs.

5

Regional CentersEligibility:

• Regional Centers must serve people with developmental disabilities;

• Women at high-risk of giving birth to a child with a developmental disability, and;

• Infants at high-risk of becoming developmentally disabled.

6

Regional CentersEligibility:

• Developmental disabilities include:

– Mental retardation; cerebral palsy; epilepsy; autism; and other disabling conditions.

– “Other disabling conditions” are related to mental retardation or require treatment similar to treatment required for people with mental retardation.

– The condition must begin before the person is 18 years old, be likely to continue indefinitely, and constitute a substantial disability.

7

Regional CentersCoverage:

• There are 21 Regional Centers throughout California. Each serves a specified geographical area.

• The Lanterman Act calls assistive technology adaptive equipment and supplies, and transportation services.

• Assistive technology is part of the services and supports offered by Regional Centers that can help in social, personal, physical, or economic habilitation or rehabilitation.

8

Identifying AT Funding Sources

CommunityCommunity Private

Public

$$

9

AT & Community Funding

Community

AssociationsLocal

ServiceOrganizations

Foundations

Muscular Dystrophy,

Multiple Sclerosis,Blind & Low Vision,& Deaf & HOH, etc.

Civic Clubs such as Lions, Rotary,

Kiwanis, fraternal, and labor unions.

Grant support through

foundations.

Faith-basedOrganizations

Religious organizations such as churches and synagogues.

10

Community ResourcesAssociations:

• Muscular Dystrophy

• Multiple Sclerosis

• Services for the Blind & Low-Vision

• Services for the Deaf & HOH

• and more...

11

Community Resources

Local Service Organizations:

• Lions Clubs

• Rotary

• Kiwanis

• Fraternal organizations

• Labor unions

• and more...

12

Community Resources

Foundations:

• California Community Foundations

• Orange County Community Foundation

• Partners In Care Foundation

• Change A Life Foundation

• and more…

13

Community Resources

Faith-based Organizations:

• Churches

• Synagogues

• Mosques

• and more…

14

Community Resources

Home Modification Programs:

• Downey and Whittier

• Rebuilding Together

• and more…

15

Community Resources

Other community resources:

• Salvation Army

• Jewish Free Loan Association

• California State University at Northridge (CSUN)

• ATEC

• TASK

• and more…

16

Let’s (try to) Remember…

Identify the AT need

Identify the funding source

Review the funding criteriaand appeal process

Consider your options

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.

17

Resources: PAI

Protection And Advocacy, Inc.To ask for PAI services anywhere in California, call PAI's toll free number:1-800-719-5798 (TTY)1-800-776-5746 (Voice)

You can also get help by contacting one of PAI's regional legal offices:

Los Angeles Regional Office1-800-781-4546 (TTY)213-427-8747 (Voice)

San Diego Regional Office1-800-576-9269 (TTY)619-239-7861 (Voice)

18

Resources: ILCs

So. Calif. Rehabilitation Services (SCRS)Independent Living Center7830 Quill Drive, Suite DDowney, California 90242 562-862-6531 VOICE562-923-5274 FAX562-869-0931 [email protected]

Dayle McIntosh CenterIndependent Living Center13272 Garden GroveGarden Grove, CA 92843714-621-3300 VOICE714-663-2094 FAX 714-663-2087 TDD

19

Resources: AT Centers

Assistive Technology Exchange Center (ATEC)Goodwill Industries of Orange County200 N., FairviewSanta Ana, CA 92703714-547-6308 VOICE714-541-2387 FAX714-543-1873 TTY/TDDwww.atec-oc.org

Team of Advocates for Special KidsTASK100 W. Cerritos AvenueAnaheim, CA 92805866-828-8275 Toll-free 714-533-8275 VOICE 714-533-2533 FAX www.taskca.org

20

Resources: Networks

AT Network800-390-2699 TOLL FREE800-900-0706 TTYwww.atnet.org

Alliance for Technology Access707-778-3011 VOICE707-765-2080 FAX707-778-3015 TTYwww.ataccess.org

The AT Network is dedicated to expanding the accessibility of tools, resources and technology that will help increase

independence, improve personal productivity and enhance the quality of life for all Californians.

© 2007 – AT Network - All rights reservedAT Network materials may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes provided their source is identified.