Job Accommodation Network

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is an international toll-free consulting service that provides information regarding job accommodations. This publication summarizes funding search tips and describes some of the most frequent types of organizations and groups that provide funding. If you need further assistance, please contact JAN.

For information on specific agencies and organizations, please look in your local area phone directory, specifically in the Blue Pages, for government contacts and the Yellow Pages for other organizations.

Funding Tips for Employers

Tax incentives are available to employers of individuals with disabilities. These tax incentives help cover the cost of accommodations for employees and equipment to make businesses accessible. Tax incentives available are the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), the Disabled Access Credit (DAC), and the Architectural and Transportation Barrier Removal Deduction. Additional information about tax incentives can be found at: http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/tax.html or by contacting JAN at 1-800-526-7234 (V/TTY) in the United States or by e-mail at jan@jan.wvu.edu. For more information on these tax credit programs, contact a local Internal Revenue Service (IRS) office and visit the IRS on the Web at: http://www.irs.gov.

Funding Tips for Individuals

The Small Business Self-Employment Service (SBSES) is a service of the Office of Disability Employment Policy of the U.S. Department of Labor that provides comprehensive information, counseling, and referrals about self-employment and small business ownership opportunities for people with disabilities. Some of the benefits of self-employment or small business include working at home, control of your work schedule, and independent decision -making. The SBSES is staffed by the Office of Disability Employment Policy's JAN. SBSES can be reached by e-mail at jan@jan.wvu.edu or on the Web at: http://www.jan.wvu.edu/sbses.

Funding sources, such as grants and scholarships, for higher education are available to assist individuals with disabilities. For a list of funding contacts for educational resources contact JAN via phone or e-mail or visit the JAN Web site at: http://www.jan.wvu.edu/cgi-win/TypeQuery.exe?291.

Funding sources for education are also available through the federal government. The HEATH Resource Center of the American Council on Education operates a national clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individual with disabilities. HEATH's Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities publication provides information on U.S. federal student aid programs and other financial aid programs for students with disabilities. Visit HEATH on the Web at: http://www.heath.gwu.edu/.

Another source of funding is Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). VR provides a wealth of resources related to employment options for people with disabilities. VR, a state-supported division of services, assists individuals with disabilities who are pursuing meaningful careers. VR assists those individuals to secure gainful employment commensurate with their abilities and capabilities through local job searches and awareness of self-employment and telecommuting opportunities. To contact your nearest VR office, please see http://www.jan.wvu.edu/cgi-win/TypeQuery.exe?902 or call JAN to obtain contact information.

Many of the funding inquiries that we receive at JAN deal with assistive technology. Assistive technology is any item or piece of equipment used to increase, maintain, or improve a person's functional capabilities. The cost of some assistive technology can be surprisingly high. Sometimes the best or only way to fund the purchase of assistive technology is by relying on more than one source. Additional funding for assistive technology might include: the U.S. Veterans Administration, the Social Security Administration's PASS (Plan To Achieve Self-Support) program, your state's workers' compensation program if the disability was caused by a work-related injury, non-profit disability organizations, and civic or service organizations (Lions Club, VFW, Rotary Club, etc.). Some individuals also had success working with local service groups, churches, labor unions, or school organizations to stage fund-raisers in their communities. When searching for funding be aware of your rights under the law. Also know your specific technology needs. You may need the help of a professional or from a cross-disciplinary team of professionals who can assess your needs, suggest an appropriate device, and clearly describe in writing how that device would be effective.

Additional public/private funding sources are also available through various resources. You may access a specific list of funding resources from JAN's web site at: http://www.jan.wvu.edu/links/funding.htm. The list of funding resources includes: