Resources

Resources

American Access Resources

American Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design
This document contains the Department of Justice’s requirements for accessible design.
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/stdspdf.htm

American Access, Inc.’s Guidelines for Site Measurement
As an added service to our customers, we have provided a site measurement sheet to help you in deteriming the rise on your project.  Click Here to download the form.

Links to Useful Websites

A Real Online Degree

http://arealonlinedegree.com/college-resources/resources-students-disabilities/

College Resources For Students With Disabilities 

http://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/disabled-students/

Disability Resources on the Internet
http://www.disabilityresources.org/

Consumers’ Guide to Funding
http://www.abledata.com/abledata_docs/funding.htm

Social Security Administration
http://www.ssa.gov/

National Organization on Disability
This organization works to promote participation and contribution of America’s 54 million men, women and children with disabilities in all aspects of life.
http://www.nod.org/

President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities
This is the Office of Disability Employment Policy with the U.S. Department of Labor.
http://www.dol.gov/odep/index.htm

World Association of People With Disabilities
This site is known as “The Beacon of Knowledge and Refuge for the World’s Largest Minority.” WAPD works to advance the interests of people with disabilities at national, state, local and home levels.
http://www.wapd.org/

WristbandSupplies.com
Free Awareness Wristbands for Veteran Non-Profit Groups
Click Here

Financial Aid Programs

A variety of financial aid programs are available to assist in home adaptations.

Download this PDF file by AbleData for finding resources for help in funding your project.  Click Here

E-Z Access Loan
This program offered by the Amalgamated Bank targets businesses seeking to comply with requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Acts and individuals with disabilities. For further information, call (312) 822-3000 or visit http://www.disabilityrights.org/mod3.htm.

Thorton Township Home Modification Program
Residents with disabilities may qualify for a grant to conduct home adaptations to improve accessibility. For further information, call (708) 596-6040.

Home Improvement Structural Alterations (HISA)

Department of Veterans Affairs
This program requires that the veteran has been hospitalized within one year of the application date and that accessibility adaptations are medically necessary. For further information, call (800) 827-1000 or visit www.va.gov.

Home Repairs for Accessible and Independent Living (HRAIL)
This is a program for home repair and accessibility modifications for seniors and persons with disabilities in the Chicago area who are 60 years of age and older. For further information, contact the City of Chicago Department of Housing (312) 747-9000 or visit

http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dcd/provdrs/afford_hous/svcs/make_your_home_wheelchairaccessible.html

Plan for Achieving Self-support (PASS)
This program covers modifications to a home through a Social Security Administration savings plan. For further information, contact your local Social Security Administration offices or visit www.ssa.gov.

Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
Two loan guarantee programs can provide direct loans with low interest rates, higher than normal debt ratio, extended terms and low down payments or financed closing costs. For more information, visit www.fha.gov.

Long-term Care Insurance
Optional policy benefits exist to assist with daily living activities in the home. These enriched home care benefits provide for the actual charges paid up to a lifetime policy limit of 30 times the home health care daily benefits for special equipment such as ramps and grab bars. For more information, contact your insurance provider.

Landlords
Tenants have the right to perform reasonable accessibility adaptations to their apartments, and landlords should welcome the opportunity to not only provide financial assistance but also find the appropriate special equipment that ultimately will enhance the property.

Centers for Independent Living
These not-for-profit advocacy groups for people with disabilities may know of other local assistance programs. Contact centers in your area for more information.

Other Options
Other creative financial assistance resources can include fraternal clubs, special gift funds, local chapters of disability organizations, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (www.hud.org), the Fannie Mae Foundation (www.fanniemaefoundation.org), equity financing, case management/managed care and special income tax deductions.

American Access Ramps