• Woman in wheelchair using assistive technology

Assistive Technology + Resources

Technology to help individuals live a better life

Assistive technology, durable medical equipment and smart technology may be available to help improve the health and independence of individuals with disabilities.

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Assistive technology (AT) can be extremely expensive and cost prohibitive to some individuals with disabilities and their families. At times, Easterseals PORT Health may be able to provide financial assistance to help individuals purchase equipment needed for independent living and active engagement in home, school and community activities.

Assistive technology is any piece of equipment, hardware or software (computer or otherwise) that helps individuals with disabilities to maintain, increase or improve their functional capabilities. Examples of equipment typically covered by our funding include durable medical equipment (DME), assistive technology and smart technology.

Easterseals PORT Health manages two different assistive technology grants through our Special Assistance program:

  1. The North Carolina Healthy Living Grant. Funded in part by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Funds are used for durable medical equipment, assistive technology and smart technology that are not paid for by any other means.
  2. The Virginia and North Carolina Elsie Bellows Grant. Funded by United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) and used to fund purchases of assistive technology only. Certain stipulations apply and we encourage partnering with applicants and other agencies to purchase equipment.

When all other funding has been exhausted or is unavailable, please reach out to us. Our special assistance assistive funding may be available to help.

Woman in wheelchair using assistive technology

Assistive technology for your every need

Examples of assistive equipment typically covered by our funding include durable medical equipment, assistive technology and smart technology such as:

  • Adapted equipment
  • Daily living aids
  • Ankle foot orthosis (AFOs)
  • Hand controls for a vehicle
  • Low vision aids
  • Patient lifts
  • Prosthetic devices
  • Sensory items
  • Smart home hands-free devices
  • Speech generating devices
  • Specialized car seats
  • Wheelchairs

What is “Assistive Technology”?

Assistive Technology (AT) is any piece of equipment, hardware or software (computer or otherwise) that helps individuals with disabilities to maintain, increase or improve their functional capabilities. There are many types of AT available that fall into this category:

  • Durable medical equipment (DME)
  • Low-tech items like communication boards
  • Smart technology
  • Super high-tech prosthetics and positioning devices
Man in wheelchair using assistive technology

Here’s what grant recipients are saying…

“Thank you so much for Easterseals PORT Health’s help. My son got his braces!!! He’s beyond excited and this will bring him a lifetime of pain-free walking!”

“Dear Easterseals PORT Health, thank you so much for my bike. I love it! Family rides are awesome!”

“Thank you for helping me get batteries for my wheelchair. You cannot imagine how helpful this is for me and my family. I received the check in the mail today and called to purchase them. Now I’m just waiting for someone to come and install the batteries for me. Again, thank you so very much!”

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