The Buck Starts Here: A Guide to Assistive Technology Funding in Kentucky

Introduction

One of the leading obstacles in obtaining assistive technology is finding the money to pay for it. There are a wide variety of public and private entities that can assist with the purchase of equipment, but because the field of assistive technology is always changing, policies and procedures for its funding are constantly changing. It is difficult, not only to identify the appropriate resources, but also to find the most direct route to successful funding for these devices.

The Kentucky Assistive Technology Service (KATS) Network was developed to make assistive technology and related services more easily accessible to all Kentuckians with disabilities. The Buck Starts Here was originally produced as part of that effort under the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act or the Tech Act of 1988 (PL 100-407), as amended in 1994 (PL 103-218). In 2004, the Tech Act has been replaced by, and the activities of the KATS Network are now funded under the Assistive Technology Act (AT Act) of 1998, as amended (PL 108-364).

This booklet is designed to be a guide for anyone who needs financial assistance to purchase assistive technology as an aid to independent functioning and improved quality of life. It is intended to be simple to use for identifying possible sources of funding and providing strategies to secure it. This guide is also designed to help you through the process of documenting conversations, tracking phone contacts, and organizing written communication. A sample work sheet is included to help you get started. (See Appendix A.) Although the information contained in the guide is the most current information available through the latest edition, it is subject to change.