Augmentative Communication Services Eligibility

In order to qualify for a speech generating device through the Assistive Devices Program (ADP), the following criteria must be met:

• The individual must be non-verbal or speech is unintelligible to meet functional communication needs.

In order to qualify for a writing aid through the Assistive Devices Program (ADP), the following criteria must be met:

• The applicant must have a physical disability affecting basic functional handwriting abilities
• The applicant must demonstrate basic operational computer knowledge (e.g. know how to save files, open, print, open programs, send emails).
• The applicant must have a diagnosis other than learning disability
• The applicant must have functional literacy – be able to put together words or symbols (does not require perfect spelling)
  • The applicant must be able to demonstrate the ability to communicate basic ideas spontaneously with minimal to no assistance
  • Text creation should be coherent enough that an average person could understand the content (does not require perfect grammar)
• There must be evidence that the writing aid system provides functional gains in the quantity (amount of text), quality (language complexity, content of text), legibility (penmanship), sustainability (tolerance, pain reduction) and rate of output (speed)
• The applicant must have an on-going need for written communication in the home (at least 3-4 times per week) and do not have a home computer that can meet their writing needs

Preschool exception

Children under the age of 6 who can recognize some letters and has some sight words and who have great difficulty with age-appropriate pen and paper tasks and are not able to access a standard keyboard and mouse.