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Stair Lifts, Wheelchair Lifts, Grab Bars And Other Assistive Technology And YOUR RIGHTS!
What Funding You Should Get And Why!
Stair Lifts, Wheelchair Lifts, Grab Bars And Other Assistive Technology And YOUR RIGHTS!
What Funding You Should Get And Why!
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In October 2004, President Bush signed the Assistive Technology Act. This Federal legislation is to aid disabled people in obtaining the technology they need, from Stair Lifts to Wheelchair lifts, from grab bars, to the modification of bathrooms and kitchens.
TURBO STAIRLIFT - SCENE FROM GREMLINS
Reinforcements for the Assistive Technology Act…
Actually, this law is a reinforcement and extension of the 1988 Assistive Technology Act, which made sure that every state had a program to encourage access to public and private builders with everything from elaborate escalators to small foldaway stair lifts.
The problem with this program, as well as many other Federal and State programs is to make sure the program is adequately funded, that the targeted disabled population knows about the program, and that it is coordinated with other funding sources such as Medicaid for medically related Durable Equipment.
There are many programs that are helping
Various programs in the states attempt to educate disabled people on what their options are. In Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Able Tech, www.ok.gov/abletech has been publicizing these programs.
While many programs have been funded for public access to public buildings and public transportation, home technology programs have often lagged behind. Most public buses in many cities have built wheelchair lifts, many public and historic buildings have wheelchair ramps. How many homes but, are equipped with stair lifts and grab bars in the places where they are needed?
Certain Medicaid programs for the poor and Medicare for the elderly cover all or part of the costs of Durable Medical Equipment, which includes stair lifts, grab bars, etc. Employers are required to make reasonable accommodations for the disabled to enter their place of employment and work there.
Assistive Technology funding is your right!
If you apply for funding of Assistive Technology through a federal program you should know that this is not charity this is your right. Unfortunately, many theoretical rights are not or cannot be implemented due to cost cutting of various types. If you are denied these technologies and the funding for them you have the right to appeal.
So you have the usual spectacle of people demanding their rights with the help of sympathetic social workers, and money crunching bureaucrats often doing their best to deny these rights. With stair lift prices starting as low as $2,000 for second hand models and other technologies not being much more expensive, all efforts should be made to make these technologies available to everyone who needs them.