"Aids to daily living" (ADLs) are devices that help people with disabilities to function at their highest possible level and enjoy the highest possible quality of life. ADLs are also referred to as "assistive devices," "adaptive technology," as well as many other terms.
Many different ADLs are available to meet the diverse needs of people with disabilities, ranging from simple bathtub bars to complex voice-recognition computer programs.
Most ADLs are either designed to help with mobility (such as wheelchairs and walkers) or communication (such as hearing aids and portable computers that speak what the user types), but there are many other devices to help with other activities.
Government and non-profit organizations provide funding to people with disabilities for ADLs. Different provinces and sources of funding have different eligibility requirements. Funding can come from the provincial or federal government, from a non-profit organization or from more than one of these sources. Whether or not you're eligible for funding can be based on a number of factors, such as:
- the type and cost of the device you need
- your household income
- the province (and in some cases, city) of residence
- the nature of your disability.
Provincial/territorial ADL funding programs
Alberta
The Alberta Aids to Daily Living Program provides financial assistance to people with disabilities who require ADLs.
The Family
Support for Children with Disabilities supports families by providing financial
assistance to help cover the costs associated with raising a child with a disability,
including funding for ADLs. Contact Children's
Services for more information.
British Columbia
Under the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act, people with disabilities may be eligible to receive financial support for employment, shelter, assistive devices, home care, or assistive animal services.
The British Columbia Adult Services program provides assistive devices to post-secondary
students with permanent disabilities who meet certain eligibility criteria.
More information is available from the B.C.
Ministry of Advanced Education.
Manitoba
The Employment and Income Assistance program provides financial and vocational assistance to people with disabilities. It also provides some funding for ADLs.
New Brunswick
The Guide on Accessing Publicly Funded Rehabilitation Equipment Program (pdf reader required) provides information on funding to purchase ADLs.
The Vehicle Retrofit program provides funding to people with disabilities for making accessibility modifications to their vehicle.
The Directory of Financial Aid for Persons with Disabilities in N.B. provides a list of the services and funding available to people with disabilities in New Brunswick, and information about home modification, long-term financial assistance, and funding for assistive devices.
Newfoundland and Labrador
The Special
Child Welfare Allowance program provides families with financial assistance
to help cover the costs of raising a child with a disability.
Northwest Territories
For information about services available to people with disabilities in the Northwest Territories, contact the Department of Health and Social Services.
Nova Scotia
The Employability Assistance for People with Disability program provides funding to help people with disabilities purchase ADLs. For more information, contact:
Employment Support Services
Department of Community Services
P.O. Box 696
Halifax, NS B3J 2T7
Phone: (902) 424-4329
Fax: (902) 424-0721
Nunavut
For information about services available to people with disabilities in Nunavut, contact the Government of Nunavut.
Ontario
The Assistive Devices Program provides funding to help people with disabilities purchase ADLs.
The Ontario
Disability Support Program provides a variety of services and financial
assistance for people with disabilities. Those who qualify have access to income
assistance, employment support, and funding for assistive devices.
Prince Edward Island
The PEI Disability Support Program provides income assistance and employment support to people with disabilities.
Quebec
The Devices
that Compensate for Physical Deficiencies program provides financial assistance
for people with disabilities who require ADLs.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Aids to Independent Living provides people with disabilities with funding to purchase ADLs.
Yukon
Adult
Community Services provides a comprehensive range of services for people
with disabilities.
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