Purpose
The inspiration for Ability Found came from our founders, Ernest and Anneke Robison, and their son Matthew. In 1988, because of a lack of oxygen at birth, Matthew was born with severe disabilities; he was blind, mostly paralyzed, and spoke only a few words. He lived ten years, and during that time the Robison's noticed that many individuals with disabilities languish because they cannot afford the assistive equipment they need.
This knowledge prompted the Robison's to create Ability Found, and since 1993, the nonprofit has been providing people with disabilities much-needed equipment, facilitating independence, productivity, safety, opportunity, and dignity.
Contact(s)
Ability Found
2324 S. Constitution Blvd.
West Valley City, UT 84119
(877) 231-4567
FAX: (801) 261-09237
Email: info@abilityfound.org
www.abilityfound.org
Eligibility
- Must be a person with a disability in need of vital medical/rehabilitation equipment who do not have the financial means or insurance coverage to obtain it elsewhere.
AT Services Provided/Covered
- No AT Services are provided
AT Devices Provided/Covered
- Aids for Daily Living
- Speech Communication
- Environmental Adaptations
- Mobility/Seating & Positioning
How to Get the AT
- Ability Found requires that applications for mobility and adaptive equipment come through a registered Professional Service Provider on the website, as opposed to coming from the client directly.
- A Professional Service Provider is typically a physical, occupational or speech therapist with a good working knowledge of the equipment needed. Professional Service Providers can also be medical vendors, case managers, social workers, and nurses and physicians who are interested in donating their expertise. They should also be familiar with the client’s specific diagnoses and the environment where the equipment will be used.
- Professional Service Providers who are applying on behalf of their clients must agree to the Terms & Conditions associated with placing equipment through Ability Found.
Pieces of the Puzzle
- Ability Found obtains mobility equipment through organizations and people who donate money to help purchase new equipment and parts. They also obtain equipment through both new and used in-kind donations. They then adapt the mobility equipment for the use of others. A great deal of time and effort is expended finding mobility equipment that meets the client’s needs. They charge a low-cost fee for this service. In addition they may also charge a “placement fee” for shipping/freight charges that may apply. Other placement fees could include materials/parts for adapting or customizing equipment.
- The program can provide manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, walking devices, gait trainers, standing frames, hospital beds, specialty mattresses, commode chairs, specialty shower chairs, adapted toilet seats, shower chairs, tub benches, grab bars and rails, transfer devices, sliding boards, adapted pediatric strollers, adapted pediatric daily and feeding chairs, pediatric toileting equipment, pediatric bathing equipment, augmentative communication devices, and hygiene aids.