KIMMEL: Montana Assistive Technology Loan (MATL) Program 2020
Project Description:
The use of assistive technology (AT) to increase or enhance individual independence is an emerging concept for Montanans with disabilities and their families. Since 2012, the Montana Assistive Technology Loan program (MATL) has offered 55 AT alternative financing program (AFP) loans; 31 are closed and 24 are active (19 opened in the last 24 months). MATL will continue its growth as the program partners, the State AT Grant program (MonTECH) and the community lending partner, Rural Dynamics, Incorporated (RDI) expand their collaborative community outreach efforts. To support this growth, we propose the following: Goal One: Improve consumer-focused MATL services to foster fiscal stability of Montanans with disabilities; and, Goal Two: Stabilize and increase MATL program loan volume statewide. We propose several project objectives to improve the MATL client experience, including wrap-around consumer credit supports, improved outreach and dissemination, and a bolstering of the MATL grant fund so that it can continue to offer low-interest (0% to 3.5%) AT loans. Activities such as developing an online loan application, providing consumer credit counseling and financial coaching, and improving customer services based on client input will address goal one. Goal two activities will include targeted outreach using an improved public-facing website and developing a variety of innovative social and popular media, and direct advertising initiatives. Funds will also be used to increase the base loan fund from which program-supporting interest will be generated in future years. Our partnership will continue to collaborate with program partners in disability, employment, education and consumer finance, and family organizations to meet the needs of rural, frontier, and tribal community Montanans.
Keyword(s):
Assistive Technology, Loan Program
Core Function(s):
Developing & Disseminating Information, Other Direct/Model Services
Area of Emphasis
Health-Related Activities, Other - Assistive Technology
Target Audience:
Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, General Public
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Disadvantaged Circumstances, Geographic Areas, Reservation, Rural/Remote
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
