Financing & cost support
AT Funding Guide
Public and private sources that may help pay for assistive technology.
The links on this page are provided for convenience and information only. They are not an endorsement or approval by ATRC of Hawaii of any product, service or opinion. Following these links takes you to third-party websites that ATRC does not control.
Section 1: Public sources of funding
These links lead to public and government funding sources. Check each agency's eligibility rules, financial criteria and the types of AT they cover. Funding from public sources is not guaranteed — you will need to show why the AT is essential, and most agencies offer an internal appeals process if a request is denied.
- Access to Independence(opens in a new tab)
- Aloha Independent Living Hawaii(opens in a new tab)
- Children's Hearing Aid Program(opens in a new tab)
- CSC Hard of Hearing Program(opens in a new tab)
- Developmental Disabilities Division Individual Supports Budget(opens in a new tab)
- Division of Vocational Rehabilitation(opens in a new tab)
- Early Intervention(opens in a new tab)
- Going Home Plus Project(opens in a new tab)
- Hawaii Department of Special Education(opens in a new tab)
- Hawaii Health Care Premium Assistance Program(opens in a new tab)
- Hawaii Library for the Blind and Print Disabled(opens in a new tab)
- Hawaii School for the Deaf and the Blind(opens in a new tab)
- Head Start / Early Head Start(opens in a new tab)
- Hearing Aid Resources in Hawaii(opens in a new tab)
- Hoʻopono Services for the Blind(opens in a new tab)
- Medicaid I/DD Waiver(opens in a new tab)
- Medicaid Waiver Services(opens in a new tab)
- Medicaid Hawaii MedQuest(opens in a new tab)
- Medicare(opens in a new tab)
- Relay Hawaii Equipment Distribution(opens in a new tab)
- Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants(opens in a new tab)
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)(opens in a new tab)
- Social Security Supplemental Security Income (SSI)(opens in a new tab)
- TRICARE(opens in a new tab)
- Veteran's Benefits(opens in a new tab)
Section 2: Private sources of funding
If public funding is exhausted and your insurance does not cover the assistive technology you need, private nonprofits, trusts and foundations may be able to help. Each organisation differs in what it provides, its eligibility rules and its available resources.
Multiple areas of AT
- Ability Found(opens in a new tab)
Mobility and daily living equipment for all ages
- Alyssa V. Phillips Foundation(opens in a new tab)
Equipment for people with cerebral palsy
- ATRC Alternative Financing(opens in a new tab)
Low-interest loans for assistive technology
- Be Perfect Paralysis Awareness Foundation(opens in a new tab)
Equipment and therapy for people with paralysis
- Chive Charities(opens in a new tab)
Mobility devices, service dogs, adapted vans
- Duchenne Family Assistance Program(opens in a new tab)
Home and vehicle modifications, equipment
- Gwendolyn Strong Foundation(opens in a new tab)
Equipment for people with SMA
- Habitat for Humanity Aging in Place(opens in a new tab)
Home repairs and modifications for older adults
- National DeafBlind Equipment Distribution Program(opens in a new tab)
Communications equipment for people who are DeafBlind
- Laughing at My Nightmare Grants(opens in a new tab)
Grants covering any kind of AT
- Limeades for Learning, Sonic Foundation(opens in a new tab)
Classroom project funding for public school teachers
- Lions Clubs International(opens in a new tab)
Vision, diabetes and matching grant programs
- Make-A-Wish Hawaii(opens in a new tab)
Wishes can include AT or home modifications
- MS Focus Assistive Technology Program(opens in a new tab)
Wide range of AT for people with MS
- Muscular Dystrophy Association(opens in a new tab)
Equipment assistance for people with MD
- My Gym Foundation(opens in a new tab)
Devices and equipment for children under 18
- NAPA Center Kids Foundation(opens in a new tab)
Bikes, communication devices, wheelchairs for children
- Oracle Health Foundation(opens in a new tab)
Equipment for children under 18 with any disability
- Project 34(opens in a new tab)
Equipment for people with spinal cord injuries
- Sunshine Foundation(opens in a new tab)
Children's wish granting, can include AT
- The Perseverance Project Grant Program(opens in a new tab)
Home and vehicle modifications, specialised equipment
- Triumph Foundation Keep Moving Forward Grant(opens in a new tab)
Daily living, home and vehicle, recreation equipment
- Tyler Schrenk Foundation(opens in a new tab)
Grants for AT in all categories
- Twilight Wish(opens in a new tab)
Wheelchairs and AT for adults over 65
- United Cerebral Palsy Elise S. Bellows Fund(opens in a new tab)
Any category of assistive technology
- Victoria's Victory(opens in a new tab)
Home and vehicle modifications, mobility equipment
Daily living
- Dysphagia Food Bank(opens in a new tab)
Thickeners, modified foods, therapy tools, adaptive equipment
Hearing
- Alexander Graham Bell Association(opens in a new tab)
Financial aid for children and teens who are Deaf or hard of hearing
- CaptionCall(opens in a new tab)
No-cost captioned phone service
- Hearing Aid Project(opens in a new tab)
Hearing aids for people who cannot purchase them
- Help America Hear(opens in a new tab)
Funding of last resort for prescription hearing aids
- Miracle-Ear Foundation(opens in a new tab)
Funding of last resort for prescription hearing aids
- TPA Hearing Trust(opens in a new tab)
Financial aid for people with hearing loss
Seating, positioning, mobility and recreation
- AMBUCS Amtryke Therapeutic Tricycle Program(opens in a new tab)
Adapted tricycle grant program
- CHASA Orthotic Grants(opens in a new tab)
Orthotics for children with hemiplegia
- Kelly Brush Foundation(opens in a new tab)
Sports equipment for people with spinal cord injury
- McLindon Family Foundation(opens in a new tab)
Adaptive bikes for children and young adults
- Steps of Faith Foundation(opens in a new tab)
Prosthetic limbs for uninsured amputees
Speech communication
- Apraxia Kids(opens in a new tab)
Tablets for communication for children with apraxia
- Bridging Voice(opens in a new tab)
AI voices for people with ALS and similar conditions
- National Autism Association Give a Voice(opens in a new tab)
iPads for AAC
- Small Steps in Speech(opens in a new tab)
Grants for communication devices and apps, ages 3–22
Vehicles and modifications
- Magic Mobility Vans(opens in a new tab)
Wheelchair accessible vans for individuals and families
Vision
- Association of Blind Citizens(opens in a new tab)
Covers up to 50% of AT costs
- Computers for the Blind(opens in a new tab)
Affordable refurbished accessible computers and training
- Madison Trust Company(opens in a new tab)
Guide to financial aid and college scholarships for students who are blind or low vision
- National Federation of the Blind Free Slate and Stylus(opens in a new tab)
- National Federation of the Blind Free White Cane(opens in a new tab)
- New Eyes(opens in a new tab)
Basic eyeglasses for people on low incomes
- VSP Eyes of Hope(opens in a new tab)
No-cost vision care if criteria are met