1. Autism Speaks iPad Grants
Autism Speaks is thrilled to announce that this year, 685 iPad Airs will be awarded to financially disadvantaged people with autism. The application is now open!
Eligible applicants are individuals who:
- Have been diagnosed with autism by a licensed professional
- Reside in the United States
- Have limited income and cannot afford to purchase an iPad
The timeline is below:
- November 7: Online application opens at 6:00 a.m. EST
- November 11: Application closes at 11:59 p.m. EST
- November 15 - December 9: Review committee selects recipients
- December 15: Recipients announced and iPads sent out!
Applications must be submitted by the person with autism, an immediate family member of the person with autism, or a licensed social worker or therapist. The Technology Grant Review Committee will review applications and select the iPad award recipients. All applicants selected to receive an iPad Air will be contacted by December 15. If selected, the iPad will be shipped via UPS directly to the address provided with the application. Others will receive an email informing them of their status. Please keep in mind that if you are helping clients apply, you need to fill out an application for each child, with their individual addresses listed. The iPads can only be awarded to individuals, not organizations or classrooms unfortunately.
You must create a login and further instructions will be provided.
Questions? Contact us at ipads@autismspeaks.org. Please note that emails will take up to 12 hours to receive a response, but every email will be answered! Also, we cannot accept applications from outside the United States.
2. Weber School Foundation Grants
Weber School Foundation has grants available for children who attend Weber School District or Ogden School District. You can request that your child's therapist or teacher apply on his or her behalf.Instructions: Weber School Foundation Grants.
3. Insurance Companies and iPads
Some insurance companies will approve an iPad as an augmentitive communication device for an individual who has limited language or who is non-verbal. There is no guarantee that any insurance company will approve an iPad. Try anyway. It is worth trying!
- Visit an approved provider speech therapist
- Request an AAC evaluation to make a plan for the best augmentative communication device
- Depending on insurance, it might be approved
- Some insurance companies give a trial period to see if the device is working for its intended use and reevaluate approval if the device is helping
