The objective of The Assistive Devices Program (ADP) is to financially assist Ontario residents with long term physical disabilities to obtain basic, competitively priced, personalized assistive devices appropriate for the individual's needs and essential for independent living.

Devices covered by the program are intended to give people increased independence and control over their lives. They may allow them to avoid costly institutional settings and remain in a community living arrangement.

ADP covers over 8,000 separate pieces of equipment or supplies in the following categories : prostheses; wheelchairs/mobility aids and specialized seating systems; enteral feeding supplies; monitors and test strips for insulin-dependent diabetics (through an agreement with the Canadian Diabetes Association); hearing aids; respiratory equipment; orthoses (braces, garments and pumps); visual and communication aids; oxygen and oxygen delivery equipment, such as concentrators, cylinders, liquid systems and related supplies, such as masks and tubing.

Grants are provided for ostomy supplies, and for needles and syringes for insulin-dependent seniors.

Eligibility includes any Ontario resident who has a valid Ontario Health card issued in their name and has a physical disability of six months or longer. Equipment cannot be required exclusively for sports, work or school. Residents with a primary diagnosis of a learning or mental disability are excluded from ADP, as are those on Workers' Compensation. There are specific eligibility criteria which apply to each device category.

An individual who has a chronic illness or dysfunction that requires long-term oxygen therapy may be eligible for home oxygen funding.

Initial access is often through a medical specialist or general practitioner who provides a diagnosis. In most device categories, an authorizer assesses the specific needs of the person and prescribes appropriate equipment or supplies. Finally, a vendor sells the equipment or supplies to the client.

In some device categories, such as adult hearing aids or prosthetic devices, the assessor is also the vendor.

Most devices must be authorized by a qualified health care professional registered with the program. Registered authorizers work in hospitals, home care agencies or private practice.

The program will only help pay for equipment that is purchased from vendors registered with the Assistive Devices Program.

ADP pays up to 75 per cent of the cost of equipment, such as artificial limbs, orthopaedic braces, wheelchairs, breast prostheses and breathing aids. For others, such as hearing aids, the ADP contributes a fixed amount. With regard to ostomy supplies and needles and syringes for seniors, the ADP pays an annual grant directly to the person. The home oxygen program, under ADP, pays 100 per cent of the cost of oxygen and related equipment for seniors and for people on social assistance, in home care or residing in a long-term care facility, and 75 per cent for all others.

In most cases, the client pays a share of the cost at time of purchase and the vendor bills ADP the balance.

For ADP supply categories where grants are paid, the client pays 100 per cent of the cost to the vendor.

All ages are eligible for devices except the needles and syringes grant which is restricted to insulin dependent seniors.

There are many sources of funding for the client's share of the cost including :

• clients
• voluntary/charitable organizations e.g. March of Dimes, The Easter Seals Society, Kiwanis, Lions Clubs
• social assistance, DVA
• insurance companies
relatives/friends.

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