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Baltimore, Maryland: The Maryland Department of Disabilities' Maryland Technology Assistance Program (MDTAP) was one of three programs in the nation to receive the Assistive Technology Alternative Financing Program (AFP) competitive funding grant. The grant is awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living (ACL) and will fund iDrive Maryland which will enhance MDTAP’s Assistive Technology Loan Program (ATLP) and help more Marylanders with disabilities afford adapted & non-adapted vehicles. By expanding lending parameters and building awareness through the iDrive Funding Guide, the ATLP is focused on increasing awareness, access, and impact with this new grant.
“We are proud to be one of the three programs across the country selected for this award,” said Secretary Carol Beatty. “It expands our Assistive Technology Loan Program and transportation options for Marylanders with disabilities in every part of our state.”
Many individuals with disabilities and older Americans do not have the private financial resources to purchase the assistive technology they need. Existing programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid and Vocational Rehabilitation, cannot meet the growing need and financial burden. The ATLP helps Maryland residents with disabilities and their families qualify for low-interest loans to buy equipment that will help them live, work, and learn more independently.
“This funding will ensure greater affordability of adapted & non adapted vehicles for Marylander’s with disabilities, with a focus on the more rural regions of the state, where alternative transit options are often limited,” said Lori Berrong, Executive Director of MDTAP. “We’re excited to see how these loans ultimately leverage greater access to jobs, education, and community.”
The new AFP grants, which are authorized under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, will establish or expand alternative financing programs designed to enable individuals with disabilities of all ages and their family members, advocates, and authorized representatives to purchase AT devices or services to achieve community living, education, and employment goals. For additional information on the grants, visit ACL’s AT Programs webpage.
For more information on MDTAP or the Assistive Technology Loan Program, visit our website or call 1-800-832-4827.
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For press coverage, contact Kim McKay at 410-767-3654, 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.
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