Financial Help

Classroom Services

Public agencies that provide assistance to children with diabetes and other disabilities and to their families are listed on the State Resource Sheets published by the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY). These free resource sheets, which list the names and addresses of agencies in your state, are available by contacting:

NICHCY
P.O. Box 1492
Washington, DC 20013
Phone: 800.695.0285
Fax: 202.884.8441
Internet: www.nichcy.org

College-age students who have diabetes-related disabilities may be faced not only with the costs of tuition, but also with additional expenses generally not incurred by other students. These costs may include special equipment and disability-related medical expenses not covered by insurance. Some special equipment and support services may be available at the institution, through community organizations, through the state vocational rehabilitation agency, or through specific disability organizations. The names and addresses of these and other agencies are also listed in the State Resource Sheets.

You can apply for financial aid at the financial aid office of the institution you plan to attend. A free copy of the booklet Funding Your Education is available from the U.S. Department of Education by writing to:

Federal Student Aid Programs
P.O. Box 84
Washington, DC 20044-0084
Phone: 800.433.3243
Internet: http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/FYE/index.html

The HEATH Resource Center (National Clearinghouse on Postsecondary Education for Individuals with Disabilities) offers information on sources of financial aid and the education of students with a disability. Contact:

The George Washington University
HEATH Resource Center
2121 K Street NW., Suite 220
Washington, DC 20037
Phone:800.544.3284
Fax: 202.973.0908
Email: askheath@gwu.edu
Internet: www.heath.gwu.edu

Information on grants that are available to individuals for financing higher education is available at the following nonprofit organization's library:

The Foundation Center
79 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212.620.4230
Fax: 212.691.1828
Internet: www.fdncenter.org

Technological Assistance

Assistive technology, which can help people with disabilities function more effectively at home, at work, and in the community, can include computers, adaptive equipment, wheelchairs, bathroom modifications, and medical or corrective services. The following organizations provide information, awareness, and training in the use of technology to aid people with disabilities:

Alliance for Technology Access (ATA)
1304 Southpoint Boulevard, Suite 240
Petaluma, CA 94954
Phone: 707.778.3011
Email: ATAinfo@ATAccess.org
Internet: www.ataccess.org

UCP (a.k.a. United Cerebral Palsy)
1660 L Street NW., Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 800.872.5827
or 202.776.0406
Fax: 202.776.0414
Email:webmaster@ucp.org
Internet: www.ucp.org/ucp_channelsub.cfm/1/14/86

Food and Nutrition

Food, nutrition education, and access to health care services are also available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program. Pregnant women who meet residential, financial need, and nutrition risk criteria are eligible for assistance. Gestational diabetes is considered a medically based nutrition risk and would qualify a woman for assistance through the WIC program if she meets the financial need requirements and has lived in a particular state the required amount of time. The WIC website provides a page of contact information for each state and Indian tribe, or you can contact the national headquarters at the following address:

WIC at FNS Headquarters:
Supplemental Food Programs Division
Food and Nutrition Service--USDA
3101 Park Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22302
Phone: 703.305.2746
Internet: www.fns.usda.gov/wic

Local Resources

Finally, for help in financing some of the many expenses related to diabetes, you may also want to seek out available local resources, such as the following charitable groups: