[This page was supplied by Mini Jacques to support her presentation at HICK Tech.]
What is the Assistive Devices Program?
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care runs the Assistive Devices Program (ADP) to help people who have long-term physical disabilities get needed equipment and supplies. In some cases ADP pays 75 per cent of the cost of items like orthopaedic braces, wheelchairs, and breathing aids. In other cases, such as artificial limbs and breast prostheses, ADP contributes a fixed amount up to a maximum contribution. For some kinds of supplies, such as ostomy and needles and syringes for insulin-dependent seniors, ADP pays an annual grant directly to the person.
If you are receiving social assistance benefits under Ontario Works (OW), Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) or Assistance to Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD), you may be eligible to receive more money.
Who can apply for this help?
Any Ontario resident who has a long-term physical disability and has a valid Health Card issued in his or her name. Fact sheets on each category of equipment specify medical conditions people must meet to get help in paying for equipment.
Are there income limits for ADP assistance?
No. You are eligible for ADP whatever your income.
What if I receive benefits from Workplace Safety & Insurance Board or Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)?
ADP does not pay for equipment available under Workplace Safety & Insurance Board or to Group ‘A’ veterans for their pensioned conditions.
What types of equipment does ADP cover?
ADP covers the following categories of equipment:
Communication Devices
Diabetes Equipment & Supplies
Enteral Feeding Supplies
Hearing Aids
Home Oxygen
Insulin Pumps and Supplies for Children and Youth age 18 and under
Orthotic Devices
Ostomy Supplies
Pressure Modification Devices
Prosthetic Devices (Breast, Limb, Ocular, Maxillofacial)
Visual Aids
audio book playback machines
braillers
computer hardware and specialized software
enlarging optical systems, (CCTVs)
magnifiers, telescopes, binoculars
optical character recognition (OCR)
specialized glasses, specialized lenses/contact lenses
specialized peripherals, (e.g. braille embossers, refreshable braille displays)
spectacle-mounted low vision and field enhancement aids
standard orientation and mobility canes
How do I apply for ADP assistance?
The steps are listed in the fact sheet or application form for each category. Everyone must start with an application or authorization form. You fill in part of the form. The rest will be filled in by other people.
If a medical assessment is required, who does it?
Usually a medical doctor who specializes in caring for people with your type of disability. Some people may also be assessed by a team of health care professionals. After examining you, the doctor will describe or confirm your physical problem on the form. You will be asked to sign the form so your doctor can release your
What is a registered vendor?
A supplier who is approved by ADP. ADP-registered vendors agree to carry a wide range of products and have skilled staff to answer your questions. Some ADP-registered vendors can make a device designed to meet your special needs.
ADP will not pay for replacement of equipment that is lost, stolen or damaged due to misuse before the minimum replacement period is up. Clients are encouraged to buy insurance to cover the cost of replacement in these cases.
OVERVIEW of PROGRAM
Objectives
The Assistive Devices Program (ADP) is administered by the Operational Support Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
The objective of ADP is to financially assist Ontario residents with long term physical disabilities to obtain basic, competitively priced, personalized assistive devices appropriate for the individual's needs and essential for independent living.
Devices covered by the program are intended to give people increased independence and control over their lives. They may allow them to avoid costly institutional settings and remain in a community living arrangement.
Equipment Funded by ADP
ADP covers over 8,000 separate pieces of equipment or supplies in the following categories: prostheses; wheelchairs/mobility aids and specialized seating systems; ostomy, and enteral feeding supplies; needles and syringes for insulin-dependent seniors; monitors and test strips for insulin-dependent diabetics (through agreement with the Canadian Diabetes Association); hearing aids; respiratory equipment; orthoses (braces, garments and pumps); visual and communication aids; oxygen and oxygen delivery equipment, such as concentrators, cylinders, liquid systems and related supplies, such as masks and tubing.
Eligibility
Any Ontario resident who has a valid Ontario Health card issued in their name and has a physical disability of six months or longer. Equipment cannot be required exclusively for sports, work or school. Residents with a primary diagnosis of a learning or mental disability are excluded from ADP, as are those on Workers' Compensation. There are specific eligibility criteria which apply to each device category.
Accessing ADP
Initial access is often through a medical specialist or general practitioner who provides a diagnosis. In most device categories, an authorizer assesses the specific needs of the person and prescribes appropriate equipment or supplies. Finally, a vendor sells the equipment or supplies to the client.
In some device categories, such as adult hearing aids or prosthetic devices, the assessor is also the vendor.
Authorizer
Most devices must be authorized by a qualified health care professional registered with the program. Registered authorizers work in hospitals, home care agencies or private practice.
Vendor
The program will only help pay for equipment that is purchased from vendors registered with the Assistive Devices Program.
Financial Assistance
ADP pays up to 75 per cent of the cost of equipment, such as artificial limbs, orthopaedic braces, wheelchairs, breast prostheses and breathing aids. For others, such as hearing aids, the ADP contributes a fixed amount. With regard to supply items as ostomy and needles and syringes for seniors, the ADP pays an annual grant directly to the person. The home oxygen program, under ADP, pays 100 per cent of the cost of oxygen and related equipment for seniors and those on social assistance, home care or residing in a long-term care facility, and 75 per cent for all others.
In most cases, the client pays a share of the cost at time of purchase and the vendor bills ADP the balance.
For ADP supply categories where grants are paid, the client pays 100 per cent of the cost to the vendor.
All ages are eligible for devices except the needles and syringes grant which is restricted to insulin dependent seniors.
There are many sources of funding for the client's share of the cost including :
clients
voluntary/charitable organizations e.g. March of Dimes, Easter Seals, Kiwanis
social assistance, DVA
insurance companies
relatives/friends.
For information, write:
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Assistive Devices Program
7 th Floor, 5700 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M2M 4K5
Web-site:
www.health.gov.on.ca
