Baltimore, MD – (October 4, 2024) The Maryland Department of Disabilities Maryland Assistive Technology Program (MDTAP) was awarded an Assistive Technology (AT) Alternative Financing Program (AFP) grant totaling $700,000 from the federal Administration for Community Living (ACL) to improve and expand the Assistive Technology Loan program.
“This funding will be integral to ensuring Marylanders who are deaf or hard of hearing have access to affordable funding for hearing aids and hearing assistive technologies,” said Carol A. Beatty, Secretary of MDOD. “MDTAP’s work creates a more equitable and inclusive Maryland.”
This grant creates a robust hearing aid and related hearing assistive technologies financing program that is efficient and accessible to reduce the barriers faced by individuals who are deaf/hard of hearing.
“Financial loans are crucial for people with disabilities to access assistive technology (AT) by alleviating the high costs. By spreading the financial burden, loans reduce the strain on individuals and their families, making AT more accessible to those in need," said Heather Ferguson, Director of the AT Financial Loan Program.
Funding will cover loan guarantees for over-the-counter hearing aids, prescription hearing aids, cochlear implants (the device itself), personal loop systems, personal assistive listening systems, home alerting systems, adapted telephone systems, and other AT designated to support someone who is deaf/hard of hearing. A portion of this funding will also be used to purchase a wide variety of Hearing Assistive Technologies (HAT) and provide direct AT consultations and short-term equipment loans of these HAT devices through MDTAP.
“MDTAP can expand the variety of hearing technologies available in our demonstration and loan library, providing Marylanders the opportunity to try out devices before investing any funding,” said Lori Berrong, Executive Director of MDTAP. “By making the AT available prior to purchase through supported consultations and device loaners, we believe consumers will experience a more holistic approach to serving their hearing loss needs."
The Maryland Assistive Technology Loan Program was one of four programs awarded funding through this competition, along with Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana.
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For press coverage, contact Kim McKay at 410-767-3654, email: kimberly.mckay1@maryland.gov.
About the Maryland Department of Disabilities: The Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD) is charged with coordinating and improving the delivery of services to individuals with disabilities in the state of Maryland. By working collaboratively with all State government agencies, MDOD provides advocacy and guidance to ensure that State entities deliver services in the most integrated settings possible, develop consistent policies affecting those with disabilities, and consider the diverse needs of all when making decisions which impact Marylanders.
About MDTAP: The Department of Disabilities, Assistive Technology Program (MDTAP) enhances the lives of all Marylanders with disabilities, older Marylanders, and their families by providing access to assistive technology (AT) devices and services.
MDTAP offers a variety of services including assistive technology libraries across the state, AT demonstrations, consultations, short-term device loans, a high-tech AT Reuse Center (to access gently used equipment for free), trainings, webinars, and a low-interest financial loan program. We also provide one-on-one information & referral to help consumers find needed disability-related services.
For more information, visit us at www.mdtap.org or email MDTAP.General@maryland.gov.
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