Funding a Device - Tobii Dynavox CA

Funding

What’s the funding process?

Depending on your country of residence, you may be eligible to receive funding for an assistive technology device for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Various funding options may exist, including local AAC services and charitable organisations, however these vary from each country to city. Please contact your local Tobii Dynavox representative for more information.

Girl communicating with her Speech-language pathologist using her Tobii Dynavox device

How does it work?

Where funding is available, it is subject to a detailed needs assessment by a multidisciplinary team: occupational therapist, speech therapist, doctor, service provider, etc. It often starts with contacting a health center or clinic and then meeting with a prescriber. Sometimes a referral from a doctor is needed. Contact your therapist for more information and eligibility.

Assessments

Regardless of the funding source, a proper assessment will be required to determine the most suitable device. The assessment will be more successful with a chance to practice using an eye tracker first. This can be focused on something simple, such as cause-and-effect activities or games.

Young girl communicating with her mother on a Tobii Dynavox AAC device

Crowdfunding or charity

There are crowdfunding and charity options such as starting your own fundraising campaign. This is what James did, shown in this video.

Buy by yourself

If funding is not available in your location, you can choose to purchase a solution yourself with the guidance of a local Tobii Dynavox reseller.

Mother and daughter using a Tobii Dynavox device for a trial

Funding resources by province & territory

This list of common funding sources is by no means exhaustive. If you know of other resources that may be helpful to share with our community, please feel free to let us know and we'll update the list.

Nationwide

Non-Insured Health Benefits [NIHB]
The Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program provides eligible First Nations and Inuit clients with coverage for a range of health benefits.
March of Dimes Assistive Devices Program
March of Dimes Canada Assistive Devices Program helps adults with physical disabilities who are in financial need to purchase assistive devices that increase their mobility and functional independence. The Program can help to buy, repair and maintain a wide variety of mobility or assistive equipment. It may also have contact information or resources to assist you in locating additional funding sources.

Alberta

Alberta Aids to Daily Living [AADL]
AADL helps Albertans with a long-term disability, chronic or terminal illness to pay for basic medical equipment and supplies.

British Columbia

Special Education Technology of British Columbia [SET-BC]
SET-BC is a BC Ministry of Education Provincial Resource Program established to assist school districts in utilizing technology with students whose access to the curriculum is restricted.
Communication Assistance for Youth and Adults [CAYA]
Communication Assistance for Youth and Adults (CAYA) is a province-wide service program that supports adults aged 19 years and older who require an augmentative/alternative communication (AAC) system due to a severe communication disability, i.e. speech that is not functional for daily communication.