Assistive Technology Grants for
U. S. Citizens

If you have low vision, there are assistive technology grants available to you. You will have to do a little legwork to be approved for these grants, including contacting the organizations on your own time, but once you are approved, you can get the assistive technology you need.

There are so many new gadgets out there for people with low vision. Unfortunately, these gadgets also come with a high price tag — and a cost that most of us cannot shoulder even with personal loans.

Technology Grants for the Visually Impaired

There are currently three types of assistive grants available.

Assistive Technology Fund

Developed by the Association of Blind Citizens
Available to U.S. citizens only
Two application times per year and you can only apply once a year
This fund pays 50 percent of the retail cost of the assistive technology

The Assistive Technology Fund has strict requirements. You will submit your application via email and the product cannot be more than $6,000 retail. Also, your income cannot exceed $50,000 per year – this includes your household income. You may be required to provide bank statements, tax records, etc. to prove your financial requirement. You are notified within 45 days of submitting your application if you qualify for this grant.

Assistive Technology Loans via Digital Federal Credit Union

If you do not qualify for grant funding, there are private loans you can apply for through the Digital Federal Credit Union. This was created through the Association of People with Disabilities and offers zero down payment and 72 months of repayment to pay for the assistive technology you need.

National Assistive Technology Technical Assistance Partnership

Through the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, there is grant funding for low vision technology. For full details about this type of grant, you will want to visit their website.

What Do Assistive Grants Cover?

With a grant, you can pay for:

CCTVs
Examinations
Treatments
Magnifiers
Braille training and equipment
Screen reading software
Desktop video magnifiers

What To Do If You’re Denied

Even if you don’t qualify for an assistive grant you have options. There are affordable apps out there that help you function with your low vision and don’t cost as much as other assistive technology software and devices. Lumin, for example, is an assistive technology app available on the Apple Store. This offers a high-resolution reading magnifier that works with your iPhone’s camera and allows you to read small print, read in dim rooms, and even grab serial numbers off items. You can get the Lumin app and other affordable assistive technology apps via Low Vision Technologies today.

I’ve lived with Angioid Streaks for over 25 years and know intimately how your own low vision affects you. I’ve put together information on many of the most up-to-date technology low vision aid advances.

As you consider what type of technology grant funding you’d like to pursue, I encourage you to fill out the form below and I’ll send you details on what type of device may best suit your needs.