Addressing the Assistive Technology Needs of Individuals with Disabilities Through Financial Loans Report on the Fourth and Fifth Years of Operation of the Alternative Financing Program for Individuals with Disabilities Introduction Affording the assistive technology that can increase participation in home, work, school and community settings often proves difficult for individuals with disabilities and their families. The high price of assistive technology (AT) frequently may place these devices out of reach for many who have disabilities. The necessary technology may include costly equipment such as power wheelchairs and other mobility devices, communication equipment, specialized computers, home accessibility modifications, and adapted cars and vans. Moreover, many other possible funding sources, such as health insurance and vocational rehabilitation programs, currently may not pay for most AT devices. To respond to the pressing need for AT funding options, Congress has supported the establishment and operation of state-based Alternative Financing Programs (AFPs). AFPs have provided an essential financial service to people with disabilities by offering a variety of affordable AT loans during the past five years. In addition to federal funding, states that operate AFPs pay a portion of the program costs through state funds or private contributions. AFPs have been authorized under Title III of the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988, as amended; Title III of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998; and through a special rule in the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended. From FY 2000 to FY 2004, federal oversight of the AFP was provided by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), the U.S Department of Education. In FY 2005, federal oversight of the AFP was transferred to the Rehabilitation Services Administration, also located in OSERS. History A lack of AT funding sources has presented a continuing concern for individuals with disabilities who may require expensive AT devices and equipment to function effectively in their daily activities. Individuals with disabilities and their families spoke publicly about this need at hearings on AT that were held around the country by the federal government and disability-related organizations in 1998. Individuals at the hearings spoke about the increasingly high costs for purchasing AT, which prevented many adults and children from obtaining the AT that they needed. Participants said that gaining better access to AT was essential to enhance or maintain their ability to function in all aspects of their lives. Participants asked for new financing methods to help in the purchase of AT devices and equipment. The availability of AFP loans for people with disabilities has provided a shared federal-state response to expanding access to assistive technology. In FY 2001, 548 AFP loans worth $6 million were provided for individuals with disabilities in states throughout the nation. In FY 2005, 1,116 AFP loans worth $12.04 million were provided to people with disabilities. Since the program's inception, $38.9 million in AT loans has been provided to 3,801 adults and children with disabilities. Federal AFP grants to states began in FY 2000 with $3.8 million in funding. States that received federal AFP grants in FY 2000 provided an additional $3.8 million through state funds and private contributions. In FY 2001, federal AFP grants totaled $13.6 million, with $4.6 million provided by states. In FY 2002 no federal grants were awarded. The FY 2003 federal grants for AFPs totaled $35.9 million. States contributed an additional $11.4 million to AFPs in FY 2003. In FY 2004, which ran from October 1, 2003, to September 30, 2004, no federal grants were made. In FY 2005 (from October 1, 2004, to September 30, 2005), $3.9 million in federal AFP money was awarded for state grants, with an additional $1.3 million contributed by states. In the past five years, a total of more than $78 million-$57.2 million in federal money and $21.1 million in non-federal money- has funded AFPs for people with disabilities (see Table 1). By FY 2005, 33 states had received federal funding to establish and operate AFPs for individuals with disabilities. These states are: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Table 1. Funding for AFPs from FY 2000 to FY 2005 Fiscal Year: 2000 Number of Grants: 6 Federal Funds: $3,792,576 Non-federal match: $3,792,576 Total Program: $7,585,152 Fiscal Year: 2001 Number of Grants: 14 Federal Funds: $13,633,286 Non-federal match: $4,636,876 Total Program: $18,270,162 Fiscal Year: 2002 Number of Grants: 0 Federal Funds: 0 Non-federal match: 0 Total Program: 0 Fiscal Year: 2003 Number of Grants: 26 Federal Funds: $35,859,229 Non-federal match: $11,428,487 Total Program: $47,287,716 Fiscal Year: 2004 Number of Grants: 0 Federal Funds: 0 Non-federal match: 0 Total Program: 0 Fiscal Year: 2005 Number of Grants: 8 Federal Funds: $3,942,109 Non-federal match: $1,314,703 Total Program: $5,256,812 Source: Annual Program Data and Rehabilitation Services Administration. Note: The total number of grants does not equal 54 AFPs because some states received multiple AFP grants. Moving Beyond Disability: Personal Success Stories on Increasing Participation Through Assistive Technology Massachusetts Assistive Technology Loan Program-Helping a College Student Realize her Educational Goals After severe injuries received in a car accident left college student Terresita with major learning and memory difficulties, her rehabilitation caseworker recommended that she use a computer to help retain information and organize her thoughts and activities. A lack of a credit history prevented her from receiving a traditional bank loan to purchase the computer. Fortunately, her caseworker recommended that she apply for an AFP loan through the Massachusetts Assistive Technology Loan Program (MATLP). The loan helped Terresita purchase a laptop computer that would meet her needs. MATLP is managed by Easter Seals in partnership with Sovereign Bank and the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission. Before purchasing the computer, this bright and friendly 22-year-old had relied on other people to take notes for her in classes and to create to-do lists. Now Terresita has used her laptop to do all that and more - she has worked on course assignments and has accessed the Internet for research and to send e-mails to her friends. Terresita said that her new computer was helpful in the courses she took at home this summer. She has used the computer to research other courses that she may want to take. Terresita said she was thankful that the MATLP was there when she needed it. "This is the best program," she said. "It has helped me go to school. It's opened up a whole other world for me." Michigan Assistive Technology Loan Fund-Striving for Improved Access to Employment and Community Participation Ruth, a Michigan woman with disabilities, was worried that she would lose her job in the catalog department of a local clothing store because she could no longer drive a car. But she did some research and found that she could drive an adapted van that could transport her wheelchair. Ruth applied to the Michigan Assistive Technology Loan Fund in November 2004 and received a loan of $8,100 for the used van, which was modified with a wheelchair lift through a grant from Michigan Rehabilitation Services. The van has provided a reliable means for Ruth to get to work both safely and easily, and she no longer worries that she will lose her job. Ruth also enjoys her renewed ability to volunteer with senior citizens. Ruth said that her experiences with the Michigan AFP were "very positive" and that she recently began increasing her monthly payments to pay off her loan a little sooner. Her dream of driving to northern Michigan to see the Mackinac Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in the Americas, now can be a reality with her adapted van. Wisconsin WisLoan Program-Assisting Individuals in Gaining Greater Autonomy A specially adapted vehicle purchased through assistance from Wisconsin's AFP helped an elderly couple move from isolation to increased community interaction. Sophia, who is the caregiver for her 70-year-old husband with disabilities, received a $16,600 AFP loan to buy an adapted van. The loan funds paid for the van, and the needed van modifications were paid by their county community options program through its Medicaid waiver program that provides funding for items that help an individual remain in the community. "We're both thrilled we got this van," Sophia said. "We use it all the time." The couple researched the best van for their needs and worked with staff from the state AFP, WisLoan, to get the van they wanted. The van has enabled them to more easily travel to the husband's medical appointments and to visit friends whenever they want. The couple said they received tremendous assistance in gathering information on the best way to finance the van from Wisconsin's statewide AT Act Program, which helped them apply for the loan from WisLoan. Iowa Able Foundation-Helping a Young Girl Get in the Therapeutic Swim A family in Iowa found themselves financially strapped with medical bills, but in dire need of funds to purchase assistive technology to help their young daughter. Four-year-old Delaney had been born prematurely at 27 weeks with a type of cerebral palsy known as spastic quadriplegia. Delaney's physician advised the family to provide daily exercises through an aquatic physical therapy program. The family knew that having a home therapy pool would be the best way to keep their daughter loosened up, in less physical pain and, hopefully, out of a wheelchair. The family found a used $10,000 specialized therapy pool from a company that would place the pool at their home. "Organizations were willing to give money for equipment to react to our needs, but we couldn't find anyone willing to be proactive with Daleney, and possibly keep her from needing a wheelchair," said the father. The family's medical insurance carrier had denied their request to help purchase the pool, so the young family of five began to explore other ways to get the pool their youngest child needed. The family decided to give the company $500 down on the pool and the dealer agreed to hold it for nearly six months while they looked for financing. First, they were able to get a partial loan with a co-signer from a traditional lending source. But they still did not have enough funding. Fortunately, the family heard about AFP loans from the Iowa Able Foundation. They applied for an Iowa Able loan and received it, which provided the remaining funding they needed to purchase the therapy pool. Now, their young daughter works out in the pool three times a week with her physical therapist, and twice a week with her mother. "It's been tremendous what this pool has done for her," said her mother. "She stays looser longer with the stretching, can move more freely for much longer periods, and she experiences less pain on a daily basis. We're so glad we did this." The parents said they are thankful for the Iowa Able program. "I'm not sure what we would have done if Iowa Able wasn't available," the father said. Today, their daughter is a bright, talkative youngster who laughs often and looks for mischief and continues to use the therapy pool that her parents worked so hard to obtain. Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation-Raising Hope for a Better Life For years, Julia, a Kentucky grandmother with disabilities, waited for hours until her family returned from work and school activities to help her stand or transfer from a regular chair to her wheelchair. Through an AFP loan from the Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation, this homebound senior has become more independent in her daily life. Through a $1,200 AFP loan, Julia purchased a lift chair, which provides independent transfer from the chair to her wheelchair. "It's embarrassing at 60 years of age to ask your granddaughter to help you stand so that you can transfer back into your wheelchair," said Julia. Julia added that before she purchased the lift chair she had resigned herself to sitting only in her wheelchair when she was home alone because she could not move from the more comfortable furniture to her wheelchair without assistance. "Now, my daughter, whom I live with, can stop off after work without feeling guilty that Mom is home alone and stuck in her wheelchair," Julia said. Julia said that she appreciated the AFP staff for being very respectful and compassionate during the loan process. She said it was great working with people who seemed to "get it" and did not make her feel as though she had to plead for assistance, as other programs had in the past. "I have been to other places where they build your hopes but it turns out to be a huge letdown," Julia said. She also stated that the low interest rate and flexible payment plan meant that "I had a chance for something that would make my life better." The AFP features that she liked best were the open communication with the AFP staff and the way in which they tailored the repayment plan to meet her individual situation. Alternative Financing Program Operations in 2004 and 2005 States that operate Alternative Financing Programs must establish administrative and financial partners to run the loan programs. Each state must enter into a contract to administer the AFP with a community-based organization (CBO) that involves individuals with disabilities in decision-making at all organizational levels. The community-based organization is required to enter into a contract with a lending institution or state financing agency. Table 2 shows AFP partners for each state AFP in FYs 2004 and 2005. Each state AFP is required to establish one or a combination of different types of AT loans. These can include a low interest loan fund; an interest rate buy-down program; a revolving loan fund; a loan guarantee or insurance program; a program operated by a partnership among private entities for the purchase, lease or other acquisition of AT devices or AT services; or another type of loan that meets program requirements. Table 2. AFP Program Partners in 2004 and 2005 State: Arizona Partners - State Agency: Institute for Human Development, Northern Arizona University Partners - CBO: Arizona Community Foundation Partners - Lender: Arizona MultiBank State: Arkansas Partners - State Agency: Arkansas Rehabilitation Services Partners - CBO: Technology Equipment Revolving Loan Fund Committee Partners -Lender: Arkansas Development Finance Authority State: Delaware Partners - State Agency: Delaware Department of Labor, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Partners - CBO: University of Delaware, Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative Partners - Lender: Pending State: Florida Partners - State Agency: Florida Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Partners - CBO: Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST) Partners - Lender: AmSouth; SunTrust Bank State: Georgia Partners - State Agency: Georgia Department of Labor, Vocational Rehabilitation Program, Tools for Life Partners - CBO: Tech-Able, Inc.; GettingAhead Association Partners - Lenders: MACO Educators Federal Credit Union; Gwinnett Federal Credit Union State: Guam Partners - State Agency: Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education Research & Service, University of Guam/CEDDERS Partners - CBO: Pacific Islands Micro Credit Institute Partners - Lender: Bank of Guam State: Illinois Partners - State Agency: Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services Partners - CBO: Illinois Assistive Technology Program Partners - Lender: Security Bank State Iowa Partners - State Agency: Iowa Finance Authority Partners - CBO: IowaAble Foundation, State Public Policy Group; Abilities Fund Partners - Lenders: Bankers Trust, John Deere Community Credit Union State: Kansas Partners - State Agency: University of Kansas Partners - CBO: Kansas Assistive Technology Cooperative Partners - Lenders: Alliance Bank of Topeka; Labette Bank; MidAmerica Credit Union State: Kentucky Partners - State Agency: Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Partners - CBO: Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation Partners - Lender: Fifth Third Bank of Kentucky State: Louisiana Partners - State Agency: Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Partners - CBO: Louisiana Assistive Technology Access Network Partners - Lender: Regions Bank State: Maryland Partners - State Agency: Maryland Department of Disability Services Partners - CBO: AT Guaranteed Loan Program Board Partners - Lenders: SunTrust Bank; State Employees Credit Union of Maryland; 1st Mariner Bank State: Massachusetts Partners - State Agency: Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Partners - CBO: Easter Seals Massachusetts Partners - Lender: Sovereign Bank State: Michigan Partners - State Agency: Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth, Rehabilitation Services Partners - CBO: Michigan Disability Rights Coalition Partners - Lender: Financial Health Credit Union State: Minnesota Partners - State Agency: Minnesota Department of Administration, STAR Program Partners - CBO: Assistive Technology of Minnesota Partners - Lender: Bremer Banks, N.A. State: Missouri Partners - State Agency: Missouri Assistive Technology Council Partners - CBO: Loan Application Review Committee Partners - Lender: Missouri State Treasurer State: Nebraska Partners - State Agency: Nebraska Assistive Technology Partnership Partners - CBO: Easter Seals Nebraska Partners - Lender: First National Bank of Omaha State: Nevada Partners - State Agency: Nevada Office of Community Based Services Partners - CBO: CARE Chest of Sierra Nevada Partners - Lender: Nevada State Bank State: New Mexico Partners - State Agency: New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Partners - CBO: San Juan Center for Independence Partners - Lender: Four Corners Community Bank State: North Dakota Partners - State Agency: North Dakota Protection and Advocacy Partners - CBO: North Dakota Association for the Disabled Partners - Lender: Alerus Financial Institution State Northern Marianas Partners - State Agency: CNMI Council on Developmental Disabilities Partners - CBO: CNMI Association of Families with Disabilities Partners - Lender: Bank of Saipan State: Oklahoma Partners - State Agency: Oklahoma ABLE Tech Partners - CBO: Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation Partners - Lender: BancFirst of Stillwater State: Pennsylvania Partners - State Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Partners - CBO: Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation Partners - Lender: Sovereign Bank State: South Carolina Partners - State Agency: South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Partners - CBO: Foundation for Independence Through Empowerment Partners - Lender: South Carolina State Credit Union State: Vermont Partners - State Agency: Vermont Department of Aging and Independent Living Partners - CBO: Opportunities Ventures Partners - Lender: Opportunities Credit Union State: U.S. Virgin Islands Partners - State Agency: University of Virgin Islands Partners - CBO: Virgin Islands Assistive Technology Foundation Partners - Lender: Banco Popular de Puerto Rico State: Utah Partners - State Agency: Utah State University Center for Persons with Disabilities Partners - CBO: Utah Assistive Technology Foundation Partners - Lender: Zions Bank State: Virginia Partners - State Agency: Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services Partners - CBO: Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority Partners - Lender: SunTrust Bank State: Washington Partners - State Agency: Washington Department of Community Trade & Economic Development Partners - CBO: Washington Assistive Technology Foundation Partners - Lender: Cascadia Revolving Loan Fund State: Wisconsin Partners - State Agency: Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services Partners - CBO: IndependenceFirst Partners - Lender: Marshall and Ilsley Bank State: Wyoming Partners - State Agency: Wyoming Institute for Disabilities, University of Wyoming Partners - CBO: Wyoming Independent Living Rehabilitation, Inc. Partners - Lender: First Interstate Bank of Laramie Source: FYs 2004 and 2005 Annual Program Data. Features of Loan Programs As shown in Table 3, state AFPs offered several types of loans to consumers with disabilities. These were: guaranteed loans, interest rate buy-down loans, principal buy-down loans, direct or revolving loans and non-guaranteed loans. Each state offered at least one, and up to five types of loans to loan recipients. Guaranteed loans were offered by a majority of state AFPs. A guaranteed loan helped individuals qualify for loans because they were backed by a promise, or guarantee, that even if the loan went into default, the loan would be repaid to the financial institution by the AFP. Interest rate buy-down loans made financing more affordable for borrowers by having the AFP use its funds to "buy-down" the loan interest rate charged by the lending institution. For example, by buying down the interest rate by 3 percent on a typical $12,400 loan that was paid back by the borrower over a 5-year-period, the AFP saved the borrower slightly more than $200 a year on the loan. Principal buy-down loans also made financing more affordable for borrowers through the AFP "buying down" the principal on an AT loan to allow the borrower to more easily qualify for the lower loan amount. With direct or revolving loans, an AFP had the most flexibility in determining who should receive loans and at what cost because the AFP was its own lender. A revolving or direct loan is one that is provided by the AFP itself, instead of the lending institution, and gives the AFP more discretion to finance loans for small amounts. A direct loan allowed an AFP to offer smaller loans, generally under $3,000. These loans often were ones that the AFP's lending partners did not want to process because of high administrative costs connected with small loans. Through direct loans, the money lent to loan recipients will be repaid directly to the AFP, allowing these funds to be used for more loans for other individuals with disabilities. Several AFPs helped obtain non-guaranteed low interest loans to assist people with disabilities who had sufficient incomes and high enough credit scores to possibly obtain affordable AT loans directly from a conventional lender. In general, the AFPs referred these loan applicants to their lending partners, which agreed to provide financing at or below the market rate for standard consumer loans. A bank typically agreed to offer the lower rate in exchange for the AFP depositing money with the institution. As illustrated in Table 3, the state AFPs varied widely in other types of loan features offered to consumers. The table provides information on loan features including the minimum and maximum loan amounts available, the range of interest rates charged borrowers, the repayment terms for loans, and the loan guarantee requirements of lending institutions. Loan guarantee requirements are the percentages (such as 50 percent) of AT loan amounts that a specific lender requires the AFP to provide to cover possible loan defaults by consumers. Table 3. AFP Program Features in 2004 and 2005 State: Ariz. Loan Models: Guaranteed Loan Range of Loan Amounts: $500 - $10,000 Interest Charged to Borrower: 9% - 10.75% Repayment Terms: Up to 3 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: 100% State: Ark. Loan Models: Revolving Loan Range of Loan Amounts: $500 - $50,000 Interest Charged to Borrower: Prime Repayment Terms: Up to 20 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: n/a State: Del. Loan Models: Guaranteed Loan, Interest Rate Buy-Down Loan, Non Guaranteed Low Interest Loan Range of Loan Amounts: $500 - $30,000 Interest Charged to Borrower: 3.5% - 5.5% Repayment Terms: Up to 10 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: TBD - (To Be Determined) State: Fla. Loan Models: Guaranteed Loan Range of Loan Amounts: $500 - $20,000 Interest Charged to Borrower: 5.75% - 12.75% Repayment Terms: 2 - 6 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: 100% State: Ga. Loan Models: Guaranteed Loan Range of Loan Amounts: Case by case Interest Charged to Borrower: Depends on lender Repayment Terms: 1/2 - 10 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: 15% secured, 40% unsecured State: Guam Loan Models: Guaranteed Loan Range of Loan Amounts: $100 - $5,000 Interest Charged to Borrower: Prevailing bank reference rate up to 10% Repayment Terms: 1 - 5 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: 75% State: Ill. Loan Models: Guaranteed Loan, Interest Rate Buy-Down Loan, Principal Buy-Down Loan Range of Loan Amounts: $500 - $40,000 Interest Charged to Borrower: Up to 3.5% Repayment Terms: Up to 20 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: 100% State: Iowa Loan Models: Revolving Loan, Guaranteed Loan, Interest Rate Buy Down Loan Range of Loan Amounts: $500-$25,000 Interest Charged to Borrower: Prime plus 1% Repayment Terms: 1 - 5 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: Variable - up to 100% State: Kan. Loan Models: Guaranteed Loan Range of Loan Amounts: $500-$50,000 Interest Charged to Borrower: 5% Repayment Terms: 1/2 year to 10 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: 100% State: Ky. Loan Models: Guaranteed Loan, Interest Rate Buy-Down Loan Range of Loan Amounts: $500 - $25,000 Interest Charged to Borrower: 4.5% -6% Repayment Terms: 2 - 8 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: 50% - 100% State: La. Loan Models: Guaranteed Loan, ow Interest Non Guaranteed Loan Range of Loan Amounts: $500 - $50,000 Interest Charged to Borrower: Prime plus 1% - Prime plus 2% Repayment Terms: 2 - 7 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: 50% State: Md. Loan Models: Guaranteed/Interest Rate Buy-Down Loan, Preferred Rate Non Guaranteed Loan Range of Loan Amounts: $500 - $30,000 Interest Charged to Borrower: 3% - 1% under Prime Repayment Terms: 1 - 7 years, up to 20 years for home equity loan Loan Guarantee Requirements: 50% State: Mass. Loan Models: Guaranteed Loan, Interest Rate Buy Down Loan Range of Loan Amounts: $500- No maximum Interest Charged to Borrower: 4% Repayment Terms: Up to 10 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: 100% State: Mich. Loan Models: Guaranteed Loan, Interest Rate Buy-Down Range of Loan Amounts: Up to $30,000 Interest Charged to Borrower: 3.5% - 6.75% Repayment Terms: 1 - 7 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: 100% State: Minn. Loan Models: Guaranteed Loan, Interest Rate Buy Down, Guaranteed/Interest Rate Buy Down, Low Interest Non Guaranteed Loan Range of Loan Amounts: $1,000 - $50,000 Interest Charged to Borrower: Prime - Prime plus 1% Repayment Terms: Varies - based on amount of loan Loan Guarantee Requirements: 50% - 100% State: Mo. Loan Models: Revolving Loan Range of Loan Amounts: $500 - $10,000 Interest Charged to Borrower: 2% - 4% Repayment Terms: Up to 5 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: n/a State: Neb. Loan Models: Guaranteed/Interest Rate Buy-Down Loan Range of Loan Amounts: $1,500 - $50,000 Interest Charged to Borrower: 2.75% - 4.5% Repayment Terms: 2 - 10 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: 100% State: Nev. Loan Models: Guaranteed Loan Range of Loan Amounts: $700 - $34,000 Interest Charged to Borrower: 4.25% - 6.25% Repayment Terms: 2 - 10 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: 200% State: N.M. Loan Models: Guaranteed Loan, Interest Rate Buy-Down Loan, Non Guaranteed Low Interest Loan Range of Loan Amounts: Up to $20,000 Interest Charged to Borrower: Up to Prime plus 2% Repayment Terms: 1/2 - 15 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: 100% State: N.D. Loan Models: Guaranteed/Interest Rate Buy Down Loan Range of Loan Amounts: $500 - $50,000 Interest Charged to Borrower: 2% under Prime - Prime Repayment Terms: 1-7 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: 100% State: C.N.M.I. Loan Models: Revolving Loan, Guaranteed Loan Range of Loan Amounts: $500 - $20,000 Interest Charged to Borrower: 4% - 8% Repayment Terms: 1 - 5 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: 100% State: Okla. Loan Models: Guaranteed Loan, Interest Rate Buy-Down Loan, Guaranteed/Interest Rate Buy-Down Loan, Non Guaranteed Low Interest Loan Range of Loan Amounts: No minimum - No maximum Interest Charged to Borrower: 5% - Prime plus 3% Repayment Terms: 3 - 5 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: 100% State: Pa. Loan Models: Guaranteed Loan, Interest Rate Buy-Down Loan, Guaranteed/Interest Rate Buy-Down Loan Range of Loan Amounts: $100 - $25,000 Interest Charged to Borrower: 0% - 4% Repayment Terms: Up to 10 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: 50% State: S.C. Loan Models: Guaranteed Loan, Non-Guaranteed Low Interest Loan Range of Loan Amounts: No minimum - $30,000 Interest Charged to Borrower: 5.9% - 9.9% Repayment Terms: 1 - 6 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: 25% - 100% State: V.I. Loan Models: Interest Rate Buy-Down Loan, Guaranteed/Interest Rate Buy-Down Loan Range of Loan Amounts: $300 - $15,000 Interest Charged to Borrower: 4% Repayment Terms: 1 - 5 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: 100% State: Utah Loan Models: Interest Rate Buy-Down Loan, Guaranteed/Interest Rate Buy Down Loan, Non Guaranteed Low Interest Loan Range of Loan Amounts: $750 - $50,000 Interest Charged to Borrower: 2.75% - 4.35% Repayment Terms: 2 - 5 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: 100% for hearing aids; 0% other AT State: Vt. Loan Models: Revolving Loan Range of Loan Amounts: No minimum - No maximum Interest Charged to Borrower: 3% - 8% Repayment Terms: 1 - 10 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: n/a State: Va. Loan Models: Revolving Loan, Guaranteed Loan, Interest Rate Buy-Down Loan, Guaranteed/Interest Rate Buy Down, Non Guaranteed Low Interest Loan Range of Loan Amounts: No min - no max Interest Charged to Borrower: 3% - 5% Repayment Terms: 3 - 10 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: 50% State: Wash. Loan Models: Revolving Loan Range of Loan Amounts: $250 - $10,000 Interest Charged to Borrower: Prime - Prime plus 2% Repayment Terms: 1/2 - 5 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: n/a State: Wis. Loan Models: Guaranteed Loan Range of Loan Amounts: $1,000 - $50,000 Interest Charged to Borrower: 5.5% - 8.75% Repayment Terms: 1 - 10 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: 20% State: Wyo. Loan Models: Interest Rate Buy-Down Loan Range of Loan Amounts: $500 - $5,000 Interest Charged to Borrower: 0% Repayment Terms: Up to 5 years Loan Guarantee Requirements: n/a Source: FYs 2004 and 2005 Annual Program Data. Analysis of Loan Activity in Fiscal Years 2004 and 2005 In FY 2004, AFPs in 21 states provided 1,171 loans with a total dollar amount of $11.47 million for the purchase of AT by individuals with disabilities (see Table 4). In FY 2005, $12.04 million was provided for 1,116 loans through AFPs in 27 states. FY 2004 ran from October 1, 2004, to September 30, 2005, and FY 2005 ran from October 1, 2005, to September 30, 2006. Cumulatively, during five years of AFP operations, from October 1, 2000, to September 30, 2005, $38.9 million has been provided in AT loans to 3,801 borrowers with disabilities. Table 4. Loan Activity for AFPs in 2004 and 2005 State: Arkansas FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): 4 FY 2004 Loans Made (count): 4 FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): $40,378 FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): 8 FY 2005 Loans Made (count): 5 FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): $26,379 State: Arizona FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): 23 FY 2004 Loans Made (count): 10 FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): 21,159 FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): 19 FY 2005 Loans Made (count): 5 FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): 10,629 State: Florida FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): 80 FY 2004 Loans Made (count): 59 FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): 649,262 FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): 104 FY 2005 Loans Made (count): 40 FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): 460,400 State: Georgia FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): a FY 2004 Loans Made (count): a FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): a FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): 9 FY 2005 Loans Made (count): 3 FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): 35,843 State: Guam FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): a FY 2004 Loans Made (count): a FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): a FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): 1 FY 2005 Loans Made (count): 1 FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): 1,444 State: Illinois FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): 107 FY 2004 Loans Made (count): 87 FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): 1,674,821 FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): 112 FY 2005 Loans Made (count): 71 FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): 1,016,040 State: Iowa FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): 19 FY 2004 Loans Made (count): 8 FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): 66,679 FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): 35 FY 2005 Loans Made (count): 9 FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): 44,732 State: Kansas FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): 152 FY 2004 Loans Made (count): 104 FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): 1,106,526 FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): 183 FY 2005 Loans Made (count): 129 FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): 1,064,473 State: Kentucky FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): 106 FY 2004 Loans Made (count): 57 FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): 365,253 FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): 103 FY 2005 Loans Made (count): 56 FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): 429,583 State: Louisiana FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): 35 FY 2004 Loans Made (count): 25 FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): 427,796 FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): 50 FY 2005 Loans Made (count): 19 FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): 451,655 State: Maryland FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): 170 FY 2004 Loans Made (count): 95 FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): 1,416,247 FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): 172 FY 2005 Loans Made (count): 86 FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): 1,034,449 State: Massachusetts FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): a FY 2004 Loans Made (count): a FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): a FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): 51 FY 2005 Loans Made (count): 35 FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): 418,540 State: Michigan FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): 96 FY 2004 Loans Made (count): 39 FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): 248,896 FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): 164 FY 2005 Loans Made (count): 64 FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): 421,970 State: Minnesota FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): 1 FY 2004 Loans Made (count): 1 FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): 7,500 FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): 6 FY 2005 Loans Made (count): 4 FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): 49,785 State: Missouri FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): b FY 2004 Loans Made (count): b FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): b FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): b FY 2005 Loans Made (count): b FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): b State: Nebraska FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): a FY 2004 Loans Made (count): a FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): a FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): 56 FY 2005 Loans Made (count): 27 FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): 510,723 State: Nevada FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): 20 FY 2004 Loans Made (count): 15 FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): 413,467 FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): 12 FY 2005 Loans Made (count): 8 FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): 188,619 State: North Dakota FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): a FY 2004 Loans Made (count): a FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): a FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): b FY 2005 Loans Made (count): b FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): b State: Oklahoma FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): 69 FY 2004 Loans Made (count): 61 FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): 277,331 FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): 74 FY 2005 Loans Made (count): 67 FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): 403,084 State: Pennsylvania FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): 184 FY 2004 Loans Made (count): 124 FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): 2,044,692 FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): 135 FY 2005 Loans Made (count): 105 FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): 1,913,417 State: South Carolina FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): 1 FY 2004 Loans Made (count): 1 FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): 19,128 FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): 33 FY 2005 Loans Made (count): 22 FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): 194,503 State: U.S. Virgin Islands FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): a FY 2004 Loans Made (count): a FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): a FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): b FY 2005 Loans Made (count): b FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): b State: Utah FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): 466 FY 2004 Loans Made (count): 366 FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): 1,570,425 FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): 220 FY 2005 Loans Made (count): 131 FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): 734,409 State: Virginia FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): 42 FY 2004 Loans Made (count): 28 FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): 444,705 FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): 188 FY 2005 Loans Made (count): 136 FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): 2,008,451 State: Washington FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): 7 FY 2004 Loans Made (count): 5 FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): 23,950 FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): 27 FY 2005 Loans Made (count): 20 FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): 59,393 State: Wisconsin FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): 146 FY 2004 Loans Made (count): 79 FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): 636,489 FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): 121 FY 2005 Loans Made (count): 64 FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): 530,689 State: Wyoming FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): 7 FY 2004 Loans Made (count): 3 FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): 14,600 FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): 12 FY 2005 Loans Made (count): 9 FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): 36,177 Totals FY 2004 Applications Processed (count): 1,735 FY 2004 Loans Made (count): 1,171 FY 2004 Amount of Loans Made ($): $11,469,304 FY 2005 Applications Processed (count): 1,895 FY 2005 Loans Made (count): 1,116 FY 2005 Dollar Amt. Loans Made ($): $12,045,387 Source: AFP Outcomes Database and Management System, downloaded October 2, 2005. Note: Applications processed are those applications for which a decision is made in that particular fiscal year. Delaware, New Mexico, Northern Marianas and Vermont were in the process of establishing their loan programs and had not begun to accept applications by September 30, 2005. Alabama and Maine, both FY 2005 grant recipients, will not begin to operate their AFPs until FY 2006. a Georgia, Guam, Massachusetts, Nebraska, North Dakota and U.S. Virgin Islands were in the process of establishing their loan programs and did not accept applications in FY 2004. b Data were not submitted to the Web-based system. As shown in Table 5, guaranteed loans accounted for about 50 percent of all AT loans financed through AFPs in all states in FYs 2004 and 2005. Interest rate buy-down loans were the second most common type of alternative financing from state AFPs in FYs 2004 and 2005. Interestingly, the type of loan whose numbers increased the most dramatically during the past two years was the revolving or direct loan. The number of revolving loans more than tripled from 18 revolving loans in FY 2004 to 64 loans in FY 2005. Guaranteed loans have been the type of loan most commonly provided to some 50 percent or more of consumers each year since the state AFP loan programs began in FY 2001. Interest rate buy-down loans have continued to be the second most common type of loans provided to consumers during the past five years. Table 5. Types of Loans Provided for AFPs in 2004 and 2005 Type of Alternative Financing: Loan guarantee FY 2004 - #: 583 FY 2004 - $: $6,679,481.75 FY 2005 - #: 637 FY 2005 - $: $6,601,539.58 Type of Alternative Financing: Interest rate buy-down FY 2004 - #: 375 FY 2004 - $: $1,827,827.07 FY 2005 - #: 258 FY 2005 - $: $2,751,492.89 Type of Alternative Financing: Non-guaranteed low interest loan FY 2004 - #: 147 FY 2004 - $: $2,075,675.26 FY 2005 - #: 130 FY 2005 - $: $2,101,959.96 Type of Alternative Financing: Revolving loan program FY 2004 - #: 18 FY 2004 - $: $81,520.98 FY 2005 - #: 64 FY 2005 - $: $201,328.68 Type of Alternative Financing: Other Loans FY 2004 - #: 45 FY 2004 - $: $784,659.15 FY 2005 - #: 24 FY 2005 - $: $383,565.89 Type of Alternative Financing: No response FY 2004 - #: 3 FY 2004 - $: $20,140.00 FY 2005 - #: 3 FY 2005 - $: $5,500.00 Totals FY 2004 - #: 1171 FY 2004 - $: $11,469,304.21 FY 2005 - #: 1116 FY 2005 - $: $12,045,387.00 Source: AFP Outcomes Database and Management System, downloaded October 2, 2005. Note: This table reflects approved loans only. State AFPs continued to deliver good loan portfolio performances (see Table 6) in FY 2004 and FY 2005, as evidenced by the low number of loan defaults, which are defined as loans that are 90 days past due. The portfolio performance of all states in FY 2004 showed a total of 1,919 outstanding loans worth $16.23 million in FY 2004, with 80 loans that went into default, with a value of $229,754. The corresponding net loss rate for all AFP supported loans for all states was a low 1.22 percent in FY 2004 (see Table 6). Looking at data from FY 2005, state AFPs had a low number of loan defaults. The overall portfolio performance of all states in FY 2005 showed a total of 1,764 outstanding loans worth $13.42 million in FY 2005, with 51 loans that went into default, with a value of $249,595. The corresponding net loss rate for all AFP supported loans for all states was a low 1.89 percent in FY 2005 (see Table 6). Table 6. Loan Portfolio Performance for 2004 and 2005--All States Number of Outstanding Loans - FY 2004: 1919 Number of Outstanding Loans - FY 2005: 1764 Total Dollar Amount of Outstanding Loans - FY 2004: $16,232,616 Total Dollar Amount of Outstanding Loans - FY 2005: $13,422,952 Number of Defaulted Loans - FY 2004: 80 Number of Defaulted Loans - FY 2005: 51 Dollar Amount of Defaulted Loans - FY 2004: $229,754 Dollar Amount of Defaulted Loans - FY 2005: $249,595 Default Rate - FY 2004: 1.42% Default Rate - FY 2005: 1.86% Dollar Amount of Net Losses - FY 2004: $197,481 Dollar Amount of Net Losses - FY 2005: $254,279 Net Loss Rate - FY 2004: 1.22% Net Loss Rate - FY 2005: 1.89% Source: FYs 2004 and 2005 Annual Program Data. Total Dollar Amount Of Outstanding Loans is the total amount of loans still outstanding (principal not paid in full), as of September 30 of the fiscal year. This total includes loans that were provided or supported by the AFP (direct and guaranteed) but does not include interest rate buy-down loans and non-guaranteed loans provided solely by the lending institutions. Number of Defaulted Loans is the total number of loans defaulted (90 days past due) as of September 30 of the fiscal year. Dollar Amount of Defaulted Loans is the total dollar of the loans defaulted (90 days past due), as of September 30 of the fiscal year. Default Rate is the Dollar Amount of Defaulted Loans divided by the Total Dollar Amount of Outstanding Loans and expressed as a percentage. Dollar Amount of Net Losses is equal to the total dollar amount lost on direct loans and guaranteed loan payouts minus recoveries from collateral as of September 30 of the fiscal year. Net Loss Rate is the dollar amount of net losses divided by the total dollar amount of outstanding loans, expressed as a percentage. Demographic Characteristics of Loan Recipients The demographic characteristics of loan recipients were collected through voluntary surveys completed by borrowers. Demographic information collected for loan recipients is shown in Table 7. In FYs 2004 and 2005, the largest percentages of loans each year were received by males. Regarding ages of loan recipients in FYs 2004 and 2005, the majority of loan recipients were between 40 and 79 years of age. Specifically, in FY 2004, 61.8 percent of loan recipients were 40 to 79 years of age, with 50.5 percent of loan recipients in this age range in FY 2005. The demographic data on race showed that 73.3 percent of loan recipients in FY 2004 were white; 8.7 percent were African American; 1.7 percent were Hispanic; 0.9 percent were American Indian, Alaskan Native or Pacific Islander; 0.3 percent were Asian; and 15.0 percent of loan recipients did not respond to the question. In FY 2005, data showed that 58.5 percent of loan recipients were white; 7.0 percent were African American; 2.1 percent were Hispanic; 1.2 percent were American Indian, Alaskan Native or Pacific Islander; 0.1 percent were Asian; and 30.6 percent of loan recipients did not respond to the question. Examining the communities where loan recipients resided in FY 2004, 24.3 percent lived in urban areas, 26.5 percent lived in rural areas, and 33.1 percent lived in suburban areas. In FY 2005, 26.3 percent of loan recipients lived in urban areas, 24.6 percent lived in rural areas and 24 percent lived in suburban areas. Table 7. Demographic Characteristics of Borrowers in 2004 and 2005 Sex of AT User Male - FY 2004 - Count: 638 Male - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 54.5 Male - FY 2005 - Count: 519 Male - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 46.5 Female - FY 2004 - Count: 482 Female - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 41.2 Female - FY 2005 - Count: 451 Female - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 40.4 No response - FY 2004 - Count: 51 No response - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 4.4 No response - FY 2005 - Count: 146 No response - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 13.1 Total - FY 2004 - Count: 1,171 Total - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 100.1 Total - FY 2005 - Count: 1,116 Male - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 100.0 Age of AT User 0-9 years - FY 2004 - Count: 68 0-9 years - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 5.8 0-9 years - FY 2005 - Count: 43 0-9 years - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 3.9 10-19 years - FY 2004 - Count: 52 10-19 years - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 4.4 10-19 years - FY 2005 - Count: 66 10-19 years - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 5.9 20-29 years - FY 2004 - Count: 73 20-29 years - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 6.2 20-29 years - FY 2005 - Count: 85 20-29 years - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 7.6 30-39 years - FY 2004 - Count: 91 30-39 years - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 7.8 30-39 years - FY 2005 - Count: 94 30-39 years - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 8.4 40-49 years - FY 2004 - Count: 175 40-49 years - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 14.9 40-49 years - FY 2005 - Count: 140 40-49 years - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 12.5 50-59 years - FY 2004 - Count: 185 50-59 years - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 15.8 50-59 years - FY 2005 - Count: 183 50-59 years - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 16.4 60-69 years - FY 2004 - Count: 189 60-69 years - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 16.1 60-69 years - FY 2005 - Count: 128 60-69 years - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 11.5 70-79 years - FY 2004 - Count: 176 70-79 years - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 15.0 70-79 years - FY 2005 - Count: 113 70-79 years - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 10.1 80-89 years - FY 2004 - Count: 99 80-89 years - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 8.5 80-89 years - FY 2005 - Count: 63 80-89 years - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 5.6 90-99 years - FY 2004 - Count: 5 90-99 years - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 0.5 90-99 years - FY 2005 - Count: 7 90-99 years - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 0.6 No response - FY 2004 - Count: 58 No response - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 5.0 No response - FY 2005 - Count: 194 No response - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 17.4 Total - FY 2004 - Count: 1,171 Total - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 99.9 Total - FY 2005 - Count: 1,116 Total - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 99.9 Race of AT User White - FY 2004 - Count: 858 White - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 73.3 White - FY 2005 - Count: 653 White - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 58.5 Black or African American - FY 2004 - Count: 102 Black or African American - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 8.7 Black or African American - FY 2005 - Count: 78 Black or African American - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 7.0 Hispanic or Latino - FY 2004 - Count: 20 Hispanic or Latino - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 1.7 Hispanic or Latino - FY 2005 - Count: 23 Hispanic or Latino - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 2.1 American Indian, Alaskan Native - FY 2004 - Count: 10 American Indian, Alaskan Native - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 0.9 American Indian, Alaskan Native - FY 2005 - Count: 12 American Indian, Alaskan Native - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 1.1 Pacific Islander - FY 2004 - Count: 0 Pacific Islander - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 0 Pacific Islander - FY 2005 - Count: 1 Pacific Islander - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 0.1 Asian - FY 2004 - Count: 3 Asian - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 0.3 Asian - FY 2005 - Count: 1 Asian - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 0.1 Other - FY 2004 - Count: 2 Other - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 0.2 Other - FY 2005 - Count: 7 Other - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 0.6 No response - FY 2004 - Count: 176 No response - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 15.0 No response - FY 2005 - Count: 341 No response - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 30.6 Total - FY 2004 - Count: 1,171 Total - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 100.1 Total - FY 2005 - Count: 1,116 Total - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 100.1 Community of User Primarily urban - FY 2004 - Count: 284 Primarily urban - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 24.3 Primarily urban - FY 2005 - Count: 294 Primarily urban - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 26.3 Primarily rural - FY 2004 - Count: 310 Primarily rural - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 16.5 Primarily rural - FY 2005 - Count: 275 Primarily rural - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 24.6 Primarily suburban - FY 2004 - Count: 388 Primarily suburban - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 33.1 Primarily suburban - FY 2005 - Count: 268 Primarily suburban - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 24.0 Other - FY 2004 - Count: 114 Other - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 9.7 Other - FY 2005 - Count: 244 Other - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 21.9 No response - FY 2004 - Count: 75 No response - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 6.4 No response - FY 2005 - Count: 35 No response - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 3.1 Total - FY 2004 - Count: 1,171 Total - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 100.0 Total - FY 2005 - Count: 1,116 Total - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 99.9 Source: AFP Outcomes Database and Management System, downloaded October 2, 2005. Note: Columns may not sum to exactly 100% due to rounding. Types of AT Purchased AFP loan recipients purchased many different types of assistive technology to meet their specific needs, as shown in Table 8. In FY 2004, the four most frequently purchased types of AT were hearing aids (41.1 percent), adapted transportation (37.3 percent), mobility equipment (9.3 percent) and building modifications (6.8 percent). In FY 2005, the four most frequently purchased types of AT were adapted transportation (46.6 percent), hearing aids (24.2 percent), mobility equipment (9.9 percent) and building modifications (9.2 percent). Other types of AT purchased by AFP loan recipients in 2004 and 2005 included equipment for daily living; computer equipment and computer access; seating and positioning AT; visual aids; communication devices; and medical equipment. Table 8. Types of AT Purchased by Borrowers in 2004 and 2005 Assistive Technology Adapted transportation - FY 2004 - Count: 437 Adapted transportation - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 37.3 Adapted transportation - FY 2005 - Count: 520 Adapted transportation - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 46.6 Hearing aids - FY 2004 - Count: 481 Hearing aids - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 41.1 Hearing aids - FY 2005 - Count: 270 Hearing aids - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 24.2 Mobility equipment - FY 2004 - Count: 109 Mobility equipment - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 9.3 Mobility equipment - FY 2005 - Count: 111 Mobility equipment - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 9.9 Building modifications - FY 2004 - Count: 80 Building modifications - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 6.8 Building modifications - FY 2005 - Count: 103 Building modifications - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 9.2 Daily living equipment - FY 2004 - Count: 42 Daily living equipment - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 3.6 Daily living equipment - FY 2005 - Count: 58 Daily living equipment - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 5.2 Computer equipment - FY 2004 - Count: 42 Computer equipment - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 3.6 Computer equipment - FY 2005 - Count: 66 Computer equipment - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 5.9 Seating and positioning - FY 2004 - Count: 27 Seating and positioning - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 2.3 Seating and positioning - FY 2005 - Count: 17 Seating and positioning - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 1.5 Visual aids - FY 2004 - Count: 26 Visual aids - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 2.2 Visual aids - FY 2005 - Count: 14 Visual aids - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 1.3 Computer access - FY 2004 - Count: 18 Computer access - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 1.5 Computer access - FY 2005 - Count: 33 Computer access - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 3.0 Medical equipment - FY 2004 - Count: 14 Medical equipment - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 1.2 Medical equipment - FY 2005 - Count: 20 Medical equipment - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 1.8 Social and recreational - FY 2004 - Count: 7 Social and recreational - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 0.6 Social and recreational - FY 2005 - Count: 9 Social and recreational - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 0.8 Communication - FY 2004 - Count: 5 Communication - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 0.4 Communication - FY 2005 - Count: 2 Communication - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 0.2 Environmental control - FY 2004 - Count: 5 Environmental control - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 0.4 Environmental control - FY 2005 - Count: 2 Environmental control - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 0.2 Work or school modifications - FY 2004 - Count: 5 Work or school modifications - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 0.4 Work or school modifications - FY 2005 - Count: 5 Work or school modifications - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 0.4 Farm equipment modifications - FY 2004 - Count: 2 Farm equipment modifications - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 0.2 Farm equipment modifications - FY 2005 - Count: 1 Farm equipment modifications - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 0.1 Other needs - FY 2004 - Count: 7 Other needs - FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 0.6 Other needs - FY 2005 - Count: 27 Other needs - FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 2.4 Source: AFP Outcomes Database and Management System, downloaded October 2, 2005. Note: Borrowers could purchase more than one piece of AT with a single loan, and therefore the count column exceeds 1,171 (FY 2004) and 1,116 (FY 2005) if summed. Therefore, the percentages reported were calculated as follows: count of loans for type of technology divided by total approved loans for that year. Types of Disabilities the AT is Expected to Affect Loan recipients provided information on the functions that the AT would affect. The data (see Table 9) showed that 54.6 percent of the AT purchased by AFP loan recipients in FY 2004 would affect social interactions, 50.5 percent of the AT would affect mobility, 43.0 percent would affect hearing and 41.4 percent would affect talking and communication. Data from FY 2005 showed that 64.1 percent of the loans would affect mobility, 34.6 would affect social interactions, 25.1 percent would affect hearing and 18.8 percent would affect talking and communication. Also in FYs 2002 and 2003, mobility, followed by social interactions, hearing, and talking and communication were the four functions most often cited by AT loan recipients. Table 9. Functions Affected by AT Purchased by Borrowers in 2004 and 2005 AT will affect mobility FY 2004 - Count: 591 FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 50.5 FY 2005 - Count: 715 FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 64.1 AT will affect social interactions FY 2004 - Count: 639 FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 54.6 FY 2005 - Count: 386 FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 34.6 AT will affect hearing FY 2004 - Count: 504 FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 43.0 FY 2005 - Count: 280 FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 25.1 AT will affect talking and communication FY 2004 - Count: 485 FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 41.4 FY 2005 - Count: 210 FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 18.8 AT will affect learning FY 2004 - Count: 110 FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 9.4 FY 2005 - Count: 110 FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 9.9 AT will affect memory FY 2004 - Count: 70 FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 6.0 FY 2005 - Count: 30 FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 2.7 AT will affect handling skills (dexterity) FY 2004 - Count: 36 FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 3.1 FY 2005 - Count: 37 FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 3.3 AT will affect seeing FY 2004 - Count: 36 FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 3.1 FY 2005 - Count: 26 FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 2.3 AT will affect other things FY 2004 - Count: 111 FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 9.5 FY 2005 - Count: 73 FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 6.5 Source: AFP Outcomes Database and Management System, downloaded October 2, 2005. Note: The AT purchased by the borrowers may have multiple functional impacts on the AT user, and therefore the count column exceeds 1,171 (in FY 2004) and 1,116 (in FY 2005) if summed. Therefore, the percentages reported were calculated as follows: count of types of functional impact expected divided by total approved loans for that year. Table 10 provides detailed information on approved loans for FYs 2004 and 2005. For AFP loans in both fiscal years, the median amounts for approved loans were of similar values: $5,000 in FY 2004 and $5,128 in FY 2005. The average loan amount was $9,811 in FY 2004 and $10,871 in FY 2005. Historically, the median approved loan amounts were $5,000 in FY 2003 and $4,769 in FY 2002. The average loan amounts were $10,277 in FY 2003 and $10,425 in FY 2002. Table 10. Dollar Amount of Approved Loans in 2004 and 2005 Median - FY 2004 (N=1,171): $5,000,000 Median - FY 2005 (N=1,116): $5,128.00 Mean - FY 2004 (N=1,171): $9,811.21 Mean - FY 2005 (N=1,116): $10,871.29 Minimum - FY 2004 (N=1,171): $204.00 Minimum - FY 2005 (N=1,116): $148.82 Maximum - FY 2004 (N=1,171): $74,925.00 Maximum - FY 2005 (N=1,116): $81,000.00 Standard Deviation - FY 2004 (N=1,171): $10,782.60 Standard Deviation - FY 2005 (N=1,116): $11,329.19 Source: AFP Outcomes Database and Management System, downloaded October 2, 2005 In general, AFPs offered favorable, low interest rate loans to borrowers in FYs 2004 and 2005, as shown in Table 11. The overwhelming majority of loans in both fiscal years (89.1 percent in FY 2004 and 88.6 percent in FY 2005) had interest rates between 0 percent and 6 percent. Repayment terms for most AFP loans ranged from less than 3 years to 6 to 10 years in FYs 2004 and 2005 (see Table 11). For both years, about 1 percent of all loans had a repayment period of more than 10 years. Loans with longer repayment periods had lower monthly loan payments, which often made the loans more affordable for borrowers. Table 11. Loan Interest Rates and Repayment Terms for 2004 and 2005 Interest Rate - 0% to 2.0% FY 2004 - Count: 374 FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 31.9 FY 2005 - Count: 105 FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 9.4 Interest Rate - 2.1% to 4.0% FY 2004 - Count: 335 FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 28.6 FY 2005 - Count: 459 FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 41.1 Interest Rate - 4.1% to 6.0% FY 2004 - Count: 335 FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 28.6 FY 2005 - Count: 425 FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 38.1 Interest Rate - 6.1% to 8.0% FY 2004 - Count: 114 FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 9.7 FY 2005 - Count: 102 FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 9.1 Interest Rate - 8.1% or greater FY 2004 - Count: 10 FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 0.9 FY 2005 - Count: 21 FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 1.9 Interest Rate - Not reported FY 2004 - Count: 3 FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 0.3 FY 2005 - Count: 4 FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 0.4 Interest Rate - Totals FY 2004 - Count: 1117 FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 100.0 FY 2005 - Count: 1116 FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 100.0 Loan Repayment Terms - Less than 3 years FY 2004 - Count: 224 FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 19.1 FY 2005 - Count: 180 FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 16.1 Loan Repayment Terms - 3 to 5 years FY 2004 - Count: 673 FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 57.5 FY 2005 - Count: 623 FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 55.8 Loan Repayment Terms - 6 to 10 years FY 2004 - Count: 258 FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 22.0 FY 2005 - Count: 290 FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 26.0 Loan Repayment Terms - 11 years or more FY 2004 - Count: 8 FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 0.7 FY 2005 - Count: 12 FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 1.1 Loan Repayment Terms - Repayment not recorded FY 2004 - Count: 8 FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 0.7 FY 2005 - Count: 11 FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 1.0 Loan Repayment Terms - Totals FY 2004 - Count: 1117 FY 2004 - Percentage of 1,171 Approved Loans: 100.0 FY 2005 - Count: 1116 FY 2005 - Percentage of 1,116 Approved Loans: 100.0 Source: AFP Outcomes Database and Management System, downloaded October 2, 2005. Survey of Borrowers' Perceptions of Impact of AT Acquisitions and AFP Services The AT purchased through AFP loans can be essential to individuals with disabilities as it helps maintain or improve their functioning in important areas of life. To assess the affect of the acquisition of AT through AFP loans, the AFPs asked borrowers to complete surveys on the AT they purchased and on the AFP loan process. About 18 percent of loan recipients completed the surveys. The overwhelming majority of loan recipients (93.6 percent) who completed AFP surveys in FYs 2004 and 2005 reported that their acquisition of AT through AFP loans had improved their quality of life. In addition, the majority of survey respondents (between 51.5 percent and 91.6 percent of respondents) reported that the impact of the loans resulted in their "getting better" in regard to another 11 of 16 important areas of life activities (see Table 12). Besides quality of life, a majority of recipients reported "getting better" in areas that included funding the AT that was wanted or needed; funding of AT that they could not obtain through other sources; participation in recreation, community, social or spiritual activities; ability to do home and community activities such as shopping and cooking; participation in important life roles such as parent, friend and advocate; management of health or personal safety; ability to move around in the community; participation in learning and educational activities; control of life and life decisions; control or management of the amount of daily physical assistance or attendant care; and the ability to work, or seek work, or participate in vocational or productive activities. Smaller percentages of AFP loan respondents (that ranged between 5.2 and 48.5 percent) said their lives "stayed the same" in the 12 areas listed above, after the purchase of AT compared with those who said their lives "got better." Very few to no respondents reported that their lives "got worse" in these areas (see Table 12). Table 12. Borrowers' Perceptions of the Impact of Approved Loans and Associated AT Acquisitions for FY 2005 Fund the AT I wanted or needed Got Better - Count (%): 163 (91.6%) Stayed Same - Count (%): 15 (8.4) Got Worse - Count (%): 0 (0.0) Total Responses - Count (%): 178 (100.0) Quality of life Got Better - Count (%): 162 (93.6) Stayed Same - Count (%): 9 (5.2) Got Worse - Count (%): 2 (1.2) Total Responses - Count (%): 173 (100.0) Fund the AT that I would not have been able to obtain through other sources Got Better - Count (%): 161 (90.4) Stayed Same - Count (%): 17 (9.6) Got Worse - Count (%): 0 (0.0) Total Responses - Count (%): 178 (100.0) Participate in recreation, leisure or community, social or spiritual activities Got Better - Count (%): 158 (91.3) Stayed Same - Count (%): 13 (7.5) Got Worse - Count (%): 2 (1.2) Total Responses - Count (%): 173 (100.0) Do home/community living management activities (e.g., shopping, cooking, laundry, cleaning) Got Better - Count (%): 139 (80.3) Stayed Same - Count (%): 33 (19.1) Got Worse - Count (%): 1 (0.6) Total Responses - Count (%): 173 (100.0) Participate in important life roles (e.g., parent, friend, advocate) Got Better - Count (%): 137 (79.2) Stayed Same - Count (%): 36 (20.8) Got Worse - Count (%): 0 (0.0) Total Responses - Count (%): 173 (100.0) Manage health or personal safety Got Better - Count (%): 129 (75.4) Stayed Same - Count (%): 41 (24.0) Got Worse - Count (%): 1 (0.6) Total Responses - Count (%): 171 (100.0) Move around in the community Got Better - Count (%): 114 (65.5) Stayed Same - Count (%): 58 (33.3) Got Worse - Count (%): 2 (1.1) Total Responses - Count (%): 174 (100.0) Participate in learning and educational activities Got Better - Count (%): 102 (59.6) Stayed Same - Count (%): 69 (40.4) Got Worse - Count (%): 0 (0.0) Total Responses - Count (%): 171 (100.0) Control life & life decisions Got Better - Count (%): 95 (55.2) Stayed Same - Count (%): 77 (44.8) Got Worse - Count (%): 0 (0.0) Total Responses - Count (%): 172 (100.0) Control or manage the amount of physical assistance or attendant care used during the day Got Better - Count (%): 93 (54.7) Stayed Same - Count (%): 75 (44.1) Got Worse - Count (%): 2 (1.2) Total Responses - Count (%): 170 (100.0) Work or seek work, or participate in vocational or productive activities Got Better - Count (%): 88 (51.5) Stayed Same - Count (%): 83 (48.5) Got Worse - Count (%): 0 (0.0) Total Responses - Count (%): 171 (100.0) Establish credit history Got Better - Count (%): 67 (37.9) Stayed Same - Count (%): 110 (62.1) Got Worse - Count (%): 0 (0.0) Total Responses - Count (%): 177 (100.0) Understand personal finances, credit and financial planning Got Better - Count (%): 65 (36.7) Stayed Same - Count (%): 112 (63.3) Got Worse - Count (%): 0 (0.0) Total Responses - Count (%): 177 (100.0) Manage individual finances-more control and power over finances Got Better - Count (%): 62 (35.2) Stayed Same - Count (%): 113 (64.2) Got Worse - Count (%): 1 (0.6) Total Responses - Count (%): 176 (100.0) Stay in the home or current living situation, or to have a choice in living situation changes Got Better - Count (%): 61 (36.1) Stayed Same - Count (%): 108 (63.9) Got Worse - Count (%): 0 (0.0) Total Responses - Count (%): 169 (100.0) Source: AFP Outcomes Database and Management System, downloaded October 2, 2005. Note: Years 4 and 5 are combined. Note: Totals vary because not all outcomes are relevant for all types of equipment. Some AFP loan recipients in FYs 2004 and 2005 also provided more information on satisfaction with the loan program through responses to additional survey questions (see Table 13). A majority of these respondents (84.7 percent in FY 2004 and 94.0 percent in FY 2005) said they would use the program again to purchase AT, and 88.3 percent of respondents in FY 2004 and 94.0 percent in FY 2005 said they would recommend the AFP to other individuals with disabilities. In FY 2004, 82.0 percent of respondents said they were very or somewhat satisfied with services and 92.8 percent gave this response in FY 2005. In FY 2004, 6.3 percent said they were somewhat or very dissatisfied with services and 11.7 percent gave no response to the question. In FY 2005, 1.2 percent said they were very dissatisfied with AFP loan services, and 6.0 percent gave no response. Table 13. Satisfaction Outcomes of Borrowers Completing Follow-up Surveys Use this program again? Yes FY 2004 - Count: 94 FY 2004 - Percentage of 111 Borrowers: 84.7 FY 2005 - Count: 79 FY 2005 - Percentage of 84 Borrowers: 94.0 Use this program again? No FY 2004 - Count: 1 FY 2004 - Percentage of 111 Borrowers: 0.9 FY 2005 - Count: 0 FY 2005 - Percentage of 84 Borrowers: 0.0 Use this program again? No response FY 2004 - Count: 16 FY 2004 - Percentage of 111 Borrowers: 14.4 FY 2005 - Count: 5 FY 2005 - Percentage of 84 Borrowers: 6.0 Use this program again? Total FY 2004 - Count: 111 FY 2004 - Percentage of 111 Borrowers: 100.0 FY 2005 - Count: 84 FY 2005 - Percentage of 84 Borrowers: 100.0 Recommend program? Yes FY 2004 - Count: 98 FY 2004 - Percentage of 111 Borrowers: 88.3 FY 2005 - Count: 79 FY 2005 - Percentage of 84 Borrowers: 94.0 Recommend program? No FY 2004 - Count: 0 FY 2004 - Percentage of 111 Borrowers: 0.0 FY 2005 - Count: 0 FY 2005 - Percentage of 84 Borrowers: 0.0 Recommend program? No response FY 2004 - Count: 13 FY 2004 - Percentage of 111 Borrowers: 11.7 FY 2005 - Count: 5 FY 2005 - Percentage of 84 Borrowers: 6.0 Recommend program? Total FY 2004 - Count: 111 FY 2004 - Percentage of 111 Borrowers: 100.0 FY 2005 - Count: 84 FY 2005 - Percentage of 84 Borrowers: 100.0 Satisfied with service? Very satisfied FY 2004 - Count: 87 FY 2004 - Percentage of 111 Borrowers: 78.4 FY 2005 - Count: 72 FY 2005 - Percentage of 84 Borrowers: 85.7 Somewhat satisfied FY 2004 - Count: 4 FY 2004 - Percentage of 111 Borrowers: 3.6 FY 2005 - Count: 6 FY 2005 - Percentage of 84 Borrowers: 7.1 Somewhat dissatisfied FY 2004 - Count: 1 FY 2004 - Percentage of 111 Borrowers: 0.9 FY 2005 - Count: 0 FY 2005 - Percentage of 84 Borrowers: 0.0 Very dissatisfied FY 2004 - Count: 6 FY 2004 - Percentage of 111 Borrowers: 5.4 FY 2005 - Count: 1 FY 2005 - Percentage of 84 Borrowers: 1.2 No response FY 2004 - Count: 13 FY 2004 - Percentage of 111 Borrowers: 11.7 FY 2005 - Count: 5 FY 2005 - Percentage of 84 Borrowers: 6.0 Total FY 2004 - Count: 111 FY 2004 - Percentage of 111 Borrowers: 100.0 FY 2005 - Count: 84 FY 2005 - Percentage of 84 Borrowers: 100.0 Source: AFP Outcomes Database and Management System, downloaded October 2, 2005. Summary AFP loans have provided a combined federal-state response to the nationwide need for AT funding. In FY 2000 Congress authorized the first federal AFP funds, which created six state AFPs that began offering low cost AT loans to individuals with disabilities. By FY 2005, federal and state/private contributions funding for AFPs had expanded the number of state loan programs to 33. Similarly, the number of people served by the AFPs has increased from 548 individuals who received $6 million in loans in FY 2001 to 1,116 individuals who received $12.04 million in loans in FY 2005. AFP loans have provided an essential resource for people with disabilities who need assistance in financing assistive technology. Survey data collected from state AFP loan recipients since FY 2001, and, most recently, in FYs 2004 and 2005, showed that the overwhelming majority of respondents reported that the AT improved their quality of life, and that the AFP loans allowed them to purchase AT that they were not able to obtain through other sources. Moreover, the majority of those surveyed reported that the AT improved or maintained their abilities in several key areas of their lives. These included increased participation at home and in the community, increased ability to work or to seek work, increased ability to manage health and personal safety, and increased ability to control or manage the amount of physical assistance or attendant care used during the day. In the future, more individuals with disabilities will be assisted by these loan programs as AFPs are expanded to serve increasing numbers of people with disabilities who need to purchase and use AT. Alternative Financing Programs for FYs 2004 and 2005 Administered by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), U.S. Department of Education Alabama Alabama Loan Program Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services 2125 East South Boulevard P.O. Box 20752 Montgomery, AL 36120-0752 Project Contact; Joe Helm Phone: 334/613-2217 TTY: 334/613-3519 E-mail: jhelm@rehab.state.ai.us Arizona Arizona Loans for Assistive Technology Program (AzLAT) Northern Arizona University Institute for Human Development 2400 North Central Avenue, Suite 300 Phoenix, AZ 85004 Director: Jill Pleasant Phone: 602/728-9532 Phone: 800/477-9921 TTY: 602/728-9536 Fax: 602/728-9535 E-mail: jill.pleasant@nau.edu Web: http://www.azlat.org Arkansas Arkansas Technology Alternative Financing Project Arkansas Rehabilitation Services 4601 West Markham Little Rock, AR 72205 Project Director: Jim Moreland Phone: 501/683-3008 Fax: 501/666-5319 E-mail: jdmoreland@ars.state.ar.us Delaware Delaware Loan Program Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative University of Delaware 1600 Rockland Road P.O. Box 269 Wilmington, DE 19899-0269 Director: Beth Mineo Mollica Phone: 302/651-6790 TTY: 302/651-6794 Fax: 302/651-6793 E-mail: mineo@asel.udel.edu Florida Florida Alternative Financing Program Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST, Inc.) 325 John Knox Road, Bldg 400, Suite 402 Tallahassee, FL 32303 Loan program Manager: Kristina Torrance Phone: 850/487-3278 Fax: 850/487-2805 E-mail: faast@faast.org Georgia Georgia Credit - Able Tech-Able Inc 1114 Brett Drive, Suite 100 Conyers, GA 30094 Program Coordinator: Jackie Wilks-Weathers Phone: 404/638-0385 E-mail: jackie@credit-able.org Guam Guam Options for Alternative Loans - Assistive Technology (GOAL-AT) University of Guam CEDDERS UOG Station 303 University Drive, House #19 Dean Circle Mangilao, Guam 96923 Project Coordinator: Michael Terlaje Phone: 671/735-2490 TTY: 671/735-2491 Fax: 671/734-8378 E-mail: mterlaje@ite.net Illinois TechConnect Low Interest Loan Program Illinois Assistive Technology Project 1 West Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 100 Springfield, IL 62701-1200 TechConnect Program Coordinator: Sue Castles Phone: 800/852-5110 Phone: 217/522-7985 TTY: 217/522-9966 Fax: 217/522-8067 E-mail: scastles@iltech.org Iowa Iowa Able Loan Program Abilities Fund 410 North 18th Street Centerville, IA 52544 Director: Patti Lind Phone: 888/222-8943 Phone: 641/856-2173 Fax: 641/856-3101 E-mail: prlind@abilitiesfund.org Web: http://www.abilitiesfund.org Iowa Able Foundation Contact: Sarah Dixon Phone: 515/243-2000 E-mail: sdixon@sppg.com Kansas Alternative Financing Program Kansas Assistive Technology Cooperative 625 Merchant, Suite 205 Emporia, KS 66801 Executive Director: Basil Kessler E-mail: katcodir@SBCglobal.net AFP Coordinator: Charles Linville E-mail: katcoafp@SBCglobal.net Phone/TTY: 866/465-2826 Phone/TTY: 620/341-9002 Fax: 620/342-6400 Kentucky Loan Initiative Networking Kentuckians for Assistive Technology (LINK AT) Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation 209 St Clair Street Frankfort, KY 40601 Program Director: Dave Matheis Phone: 877/675-0195 Phone: 502/564-4444 ext. 279 Fax: 502/564-1268 E-mail: DaveS.Matheis@ky.gov Web: http://www.katlc.ky.gov Louisiana Louisiana Assistive Technology Loan Program Louisiana Assistive Technology Access Network (LATAN) 3042 Old Forge Road, Suite D Baton Rouge, LA 70808 Loan Program Director: Kurt Hellmann Phone/TTY: 225/925-9500 Phone/TTY: 800/270-6185 (National) Fax: 225/925-9560 E-mail: khellmann@latan.org Web: http://www.latan.org Maine Maine Loan Program Maine Consumer Information and Technology Training Exchange (CITE) Maine CITE Coordinating Center 46 University Drive Augusta, ME 043330 Project Contact: Kathy Adams Phone: 207/621-3195 TTY: 207/621-3482 E-mail: kadamsot@maine.rr.com Maryland Assistive Technology Guaranteed Loan Program Maryland Technology Assistance Program 2301 Argonne Drive, Room T-17 Baltimore, MD 21218 Loan Program Director: Tony Rice Phone/TTY: 800/832-4827 Fax: 410/554-9237 E-mail: loans@mdtap.org Web: http://www.mdtap.org Massachusetts Massachusetts AT Loan Program Easter Seals Massachusetts 484 Main Street Worchester, MA 01608 AFP Director: Jason Luciano Phone: 508/751-6431 E-mail: jluciano@eastersealsma.org Michigan Michigan Assistive Technology Loan Fund C/O U.C.P. Michigan 3401 E. Saginaw, Suite 216 Lansing, MI 48912 Loan Fund Manager: Leah March Phone: 517/203-1200 ext. 19 Fax: 517/203-1203 E-mail: march@ucpmichigan.org Web: http://www.mi-atlf.org Minnesota ATMN Micro - Loan Program Assistive Technology of Minnesota 1800 Pioneer Creek Center, Box 310 Maple Plain, MN 55359-0310 Project Director: Carol Fury Phone: 763/479-8239 TTY: 800/627-3529 Fax: 763/479-8243 E-mail: info@atmn.org Web: http://www.atmn.org Missouri $how Me Loans Missouri Assistive Technology Council 4731 South Cochise #114 Independence, MO 64055-6975 Loan Program Coordinator: Marty Exline Phone: 816/350-5281 TTY: 816/373-9315 E-mail: mexline@swbell.net Nebraska Nebraska Alternative Financing Loan Program Easter Seals Nebraska 638 North 109th Plaza Omaha, NE 68154 AFP Director: Renee Fitzke Phone: 402/345-2200 X1116 E-mail: rfitzke@ne.easterseals.com Nevada Nevada Assistive Technology Loan Fund CareChest 7910 N. Virginia Street Reno, NV 89506 Loan Program Coordinator: Randi Decasa Phone: 775/829-2273 Fax: 775/829-8745 E-mail: loans@carechest.com New Mexico New Mexico Loan Program San Juan Center for Independence 3535 E. 30th, Suite 101 Farmington, NM 87402 Program Manager: Larry McCabe Phone: 505/566-5827 Fax: 505/566-5842 E-mail: lmccabe@sjci.org North Dakota North Dakota AT Loan Program North Dakota Association for the Disabled 2660 South Columbia Road Grand Forks, ND 58201 Loan Coordinator: Traci Ladouceur Phone 701/795-6609 TTY: 800/265-4728 Fax: 701/239-7229 E-mail: tladouceur@ndad.org Northern Marianas Trankilu Loan Program Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Council on Developmental Disabilities P.O. Box 502565 Saipan, MP 96950-2565 Loan Program Coordinator: Tony Chong Phone: 670/664-7000 TTY: 670/664-7000 Fax: 670/664-7030 E-mail: tchong@cnmiddcouncil.org Oklahoma Oklahoma Alternative Financing Program Oklahoma ABLE Tech 1514 West Hall of Fame Stillwater, OK 74078-2026 Loan Program Coordinator: Milissa Gofourth Phone: 405/744-9864 TTY: 800/257-1705 Fax: 405/744-2487 E-mail: gmiliss@okstate.edu Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation 1004 West Ninth Avenue, First Floor King of Prussia, PA 19406 Executive Director: Susan Tachau Phone: 888/744-1938 (National) Phone: 484/674-0506 TTY: 877/693-7271 (National) Fax: 484/674-0510 E-mail: stachau@patf.us Web: http://www.patf.us South Carolina South Carolina Assistive Technology Loan Program (SC AT) Vocational Rehabilitation Department 1410 Boston Avenue West Columbia, SC 29171 Project Coordinator: Denise Koon Phone: 803/896-6374 Fax: 803/896-6875 E-mail: dkoon@scvrd.state.sc.us U.S. Virgin Islands U.S. Virgin Islands Loan Program University of the Virgin Islands #2 John Brewer's Bay St. Thomas, U.S.VI 00802 Project Coordinator: Shirley White Phone: 340/776-9200 ext. 2333 Fax: 340/693-1325 E-mail: swhite@uvi.edu Utah Alternative Financing Program Utah Assistive Technology Foundation (UATF) Center for Persons with Disabilities 6835 Old Main Hill Logan, UT 84322 Director: Marilyn Hammond Phone: 800/524-5152 (National) Phone: 435/797-2025 TTY: 435/797-7089 Fax: 435/797-2355 E-mail: uatf@cpd2.usu.edu Web: http://www.uatf.org Vermont Vermont Assistive Technology Fund Opportunities Ventures 18 Pearl Street Burlington, VT 05401 Outreach Manager: Leandre Waldo-Johnson Phone: 802/865-2003 Ext. 140 Fax: 802/860-6123 E-mail: lwaldojohnson@oppsvt.org Virginia Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority (ATLFA) 1602 Rolling Hills Drive, Suite 107 Richmond, VA 23229 Director: Joey Wallace Phone: 866/835-5976 (Toll Free) Phone: 804/662-9000 Fax: 804/662-9533 E-mail: joey.wallace@atlfa.org Web: http://www.atlfa.org Washington Washington Loan Program Washington Assistive Technology Foundation 1823 East Madison, Suite 1000 Seattle, WA 98122 Program Director: Andrea Dimond Phone: 206/328-5116 TTY: 800/214-8731 Fax: 206/328-5126 E-mail: andrea@watf.org Wisconsin WisLoan Independence First 600 W. Virginia St., Suite 401 Milwaukee, WI 53204-1516 WisLoan Coordinator: Patti Kraemer Phone: 414/226-8306 TTY: 414/291-7520 Fax: 414/291-7525 E-mail: pkraemer@ independencefirst.org Web: http://www.dhfs.wisconsin.gov/disabilities/ wistech/wisloan.htm Wyoming Wyoming Technology Access Program (WYTAP) Wyoming Independent Living Rehabilitation, Inc. 305 West First Street Casper, WY 82601 Loan Program Coordinator: Kris Smith Phone: 800/735-8322 Phone: 307/226-6956 E-mail: krissmith@vcn.com October 2006 Produced by RESNA National Assistive Technology Technical Assistance Partnership 1700 North Moore Street, Suite 1540 Arlington, VA 22209-1903 703-524-6686 (V), 703-524-6639 (TTY) 703-524-6630 (FAX) This publication is available in alternative formats. The RESNA National Assistive Technology Technical Assistance Partnership is an activity funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), U.S. Department of Education (ED), under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended. The information contained herein does not necessarily reflect the position or policy of RSA/ED or the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA), and no official endorsement of the materials should be inferred. Photo Caption: The Massachusetts Assistive Technology Loan Program helped Terresita obtain a laptop computer for her college studies. For details see page 3.