Deadline: 16-May-25
Submissions are now open for the BC Rehab Foundation’s Individual Grant Program intended for individual funding requests from persons with physical disabilities.
Funding Information
- As a way of fulfilling as many requests as possible, the organization imposes maximum amounts on certain types of equipment. All equipment and corresponding funding limits are listed below.
- Back-up wheelchair – $2500
- Scooters – $1000
- Lift chairs – $1000
- BC Rehab has received a significant increase in orthotics requests from Ministry funded clients. They are aware that the Ministry will fund medically necessary orthotics, in full, for those applicants who qualify, and many vendors work within the Ministry contract to meet the needs of the clients. As a result, BC Rehab’s policy is to not cover the difference in orthotics for Ministry funded clients. They will continue to review and consider those applicants who do not qualify under the Ministry with proper justification from a Physiotherapist.
Types of Physical Disabilities supported
- The mandate is inclusive to these physical disabilities:
- Spinal cord injury
- Acquired brain injury
- Stroke
- Cerebral Palsy
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Spina Bifida
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Polio
- Amputation
- ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
- Guillian-Barre
What do they fund?
- The organization funds a range of new and used equipment and will consider even the most obscure devices if they will assist an individual in their quality of life and personal mobility. Examples of the most frequently funded equipment include:
- Power wheelchairs
- Manual Wheelchairs
- Driver’s rehab lessons
- Custom orthotics
- Specialized wheelchair seating systems
- Ramps
- Portable lift system
- Scooters
- Recreation therapy opportunities
- Walkers
- Assistive technology devices (e.g. Dragon speaking software)
Eligibility Criteria
- Awards are considered by a combination of factors. Approved applications typically demonstrate a severe need, an inability to acquire the needed equipment through other means and applications address each of the following areas:
- financial need of the applicant
- type of disability
- how the equipment request will improve the applicants quality of life and increase personal independence
- if the applicant has explored other avenues of funding
- two or more quotes for the equipment being applied for
- how long the equipment will meet the client’s need
- They do not fund additional equipment you already have acquired, unless it’s a back-up wheelchair
- letter of support and/or assessment from a health care practitioner such as a occupational therapist or physiotherapist MUST be completed on application.
For more information, visit BC Rehab Foundation.