Kentucky Council of the Blind
Assistive Technology Grant Program Guidelines
I. Program Information
Please read these guidelines carefully before completing the KCB Assistive Technology Grant Application Form.
A. Purpose
The Kentucky Council of the Blind (KCB) created this Assistive Technology Grant Program to help fulfill its mission of enriching the lives of visually impaired Kentuckians. Assistive technology can be very cost prohibitive for many visually impaired Kentuckians. Through its grant program, KCB helps visually impaired Kentuckians obtain assistive technology by partially underwriting the cost of such products and services.
B. Assistive Technology
For the purpose of this grant program, assistive technology is considered hardware, software, electronic devices, subscription services, equipment etc. that is stand-alone or works in conjunction with a computer or other such electronic device that makes it possible for blind people to do things that sighted people can already do without using assistive technology. Assistive technology covered by this grant must, in some way, mitigate the consequences of a visual disability. For example, devices that assist persons with visual impairments to read print or travel independently might be appropriate for funding through this award; but home repairs, washers and dryers would not be appropriate.
C. Assistive Technology Covered
1. The Assistive Technology Grant Program covers both appropriate hardware and software, upgrades and maintenance agreements, subscription services, computers, and other stand-alone electronic devices. Only new assistive technology will be covered, including technology upgrades to newer versions. Used or previously-owned assistive technology will not be covered.
2. Any purchase made prior to the awarding of a grant will not be eligible for purchase with the grant.
3. No person will be eligible to be awarded more than one grant within a three-year period.
D. Financial Considerations
The KCB Technology Grant is intended to assist persons in acquiring needed assistive technology that they cannot afford easily with their own financial resources or with help from other assistance programs. The KCB Scholarship and Assistive Technology Grant Committee will consider financial need as well as other factors in determining eligibility for the Assistive Technology Grant and in recommending the amount of the grant to be awarded.
E. Funding Source of Last Resort
The Kentucky Council of the Blind requires Assistive Technology Grant applicants to investigate and use all other available resources to purchase assistive technology prior to applying for a KCB Assistive Technology Grant. Applicants must identify resources they have explored for assistance, which might include, but are not limited to, Vocational Rehabilitation, Independent Living, Lions Clubs, other service clubs, and churches, and indicate the amount of funding they have received from such sources. The Scholarship and Technology Grant Committee will, when possible, help applicants locate other sources of assistance for which they may be eligible. By defining this grant as “The Grant of Last Resort,” the Kentucky Council of the Blind can spread its technology grant budget farther by assisting only persons who have no other way to fund assistive technology purchases.
F. Who Can Apply
Grants may be awarded to any Kentucky resident who is visually impaired or to any visually impaired KCB member living outside of Kentucky. Visual impairment is defined as visual acuity of 20/70 or less in the better corrected eye and/or 20 degrees or less visual field in the better corrected eye.
G. Dollar Values of Assistive Technology Grants
Depending on availability of funds, grants may be awarded to visually impaired KCB members in good standing as of March 15 of the current year in amounts up to 75% of the total cost of the technology requested, with the total amount of a grant not to exceed $1,500.00. Grants may be awarded to Kentucky residents who are not members of KCB up to 25% of the total cost of the technology requested, with the amount of the grant not to exceed $600.00. Award recipients will be responsible for providing the portion of the cost of such products or services not covered by the KCB Assistive Technology Award.
H. Membership in the Kentucky Council of the Blind
Although membership in the Kentucky Council of the Blind is not required in order to apply for the technology grant, applicants are encouraged to consider the many benefits of being involved with the regional and special-interest chapters which include the ability to: (1) learn about resources; (2) participate in peer-to-peer support, conferences, workshops and other activities; and (3) keep up with legislative and regulatory issues impacting visually impaired individuals and their families through in-person meetings, conference calls, newsletters, e-mail lists, and the Sound Prints audio magazine. Applicants can learn more about becoming a KCB member by calling (502) 895-4598 or visiting https://kentucky-acb.org.
I. Processing Applications
1. The applicant will be contacted within 30 days after receipt of a completed Assistive Technology Grant Application Form and all required supporting documentation.
2. Telephone or Zoom interviews may be scheduled in which committee members may ask about information included on the application form and financial barriers that make it impossible for the applicant to purchase this technology with personal funds.
3. All technology grants recommended by the KCB Scholarship and Technology Grant Committee are subject to final approval by the Kentucky Council of the Blind Board of Directors.
4. The total amount of funds available for technology grants may vary from year to year. If funds are exhausted at the time an application is received, the applicant will be notified of this fact within thirty (30) days of the date the application is received and will be offered the option of keeping the application active for consideration when funds are again available or until March of the next calendar year, whichever comes first.
5. All applicants will be contacted with results of their grant application as soon as possible, but no later than 60 days after receipt of their application and all required supporting documents.
6. Before any grant funds are disbursed by KCB to the seller, the grant recipient must either: provide the seller with his/her portion of the purchase price and the seller must invoice KCB for the remaining amount due; or provide his/her portion of the purchase price to KCB, at which time KCB will disburse funds for the entire amount to the seller.
7. The grant recipient is required to provide his/her portion of the purchase price within ninety (90) days from the date of the award. Any KCB grant funds that are not disbursed within ninety (90) days will be retained by KCB, and any funds paid to KCB by the grant recipient will be returned to the individual.
J. Grant Recipient Responsibilities
1. Grant recipients will be required to participate in the Kentucky Council of the Blind Convention held during November. Grant recipients should attend the convention in person, with attendance via Zoom acceptable only if in-person attendance is not possible. Grant recipients will be recognized at this convention.
2. Persons who receive a KCB Assistive Technology Grant are required to describe/demonstrate this technology at a meeting of KCB or its chapters.
II. KCB Assistive Technology Grant Application Materials and Procedures
- A. The following application materials, except for those completed online, must be emailed to the KCB Scholarship and Technology Grant Committee at grants@kentucky-acb.org. Email submission of all supporting documents is required.
1. A completed application in an electronic format. The applicant may complete the application online. Alternatively, the applicant may download the form, complete it, and email it to grants@kentucky-acb.org.
2. The exact specifications of the assistive technology, service, electronic device, or computer to be purchased.
3. A copy of an official price quote from two vendors or dealers (one quote will suffice if there is no other source for the item).
4. Verification of visual impairment to be provided by written submission of one of the following: first, the name of one person who currently serves on the Board of Directors of KCB or one of its chapters who can attest that the applicant is visually impaired; second, written verification of visual impairment from an ophthalmologist, optometrist, or other reasonable authority (obtained within the past year), including a description of the applicant’s eye condition, visual acuity, and field of vision; or third, a signed Visual Impairment Verification Form downloadable from https://kentucky-acb.org to be completed by a competent professional such as a rehabilitation counselor, teacher of the visually impaired, orientation and mobility specialist etc.
If the applicant has questions after reading these guidelines or if the applicant needs assistance in completing the application form, the applicant should email these questions and needs and a telephone number where the applicant can be reached to grants@Kentucky-acb.org.
Kentucky Council of the Blind
Assistive Technology Grant Program
148 Vernon Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206
Phone: (502) 895-4598
Email: grants@kentucky-acb.org
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