Communication aids

Who qualifies

To qualify, you must:

• be an Ontario resident
• have a valid Ontario health card
• be unable to speak (or your speech is very hard to understand)
• be unable to use a pen and paper to write due to physical disability

We do not consider your income.

Who does not qualify

You do not qualify, if:

• you already qualify for or are receiving financial support from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board for the same communication aid(s)
• you are a Group “A” veteran and already qualify for or are receiving financial support from Veterans Affairs Canada for the same communication aid(s)

Types of communication aids covered

Through the Assistive Devices Program (ADP), we help cover the cost of:

• voice prostheses, voice amplifiers and electrolarynges
• communication display boards
  • hand-made collections of pictures and words created specifically for to communicate by pointing at picture or words
• speech-generating devices
• writing aids
  • for example portable or stationary computers to be used with assistive technology
• assistive-technology software and hardware for writing aids and speech generating devices
  • for example text-to-speech software, voice-dictation software, mouse alternatives, switches
• mounting for communication aids
  • used to attach communication aid to a wheelchair or table

Replacements

You can apply for a replacement if:

• your medical condition has changed and the equipment no longer meets your needs
• the equipment is worn out, no longer covered by warranty and cannot be repaired at a reasonable cost

We do not cover costs to replace a lost communication aid(s)or repairs an aid(s) damaged through misuse or neglect.

Amount covered

We set the price for each communication aid based on:

• manufacturer’s and/or distributor’s costs
• complexity of device

This is called the ADP price. A business can’t charge you more than the ADP price.

We pay 75% of the ADP price for communication aids. You pay the remaining 25% of the cost.

For some types of communication aids, we cover 75% of the cost up to a maximum amount:

• $3,993.75 over 3 years for voice-restoration and speaking valves
• $330 over 3 years for stomafilters (foam overlays used to limit the inhalation of dust, fumes, or vapors and to warm inhaled air) and supplies

Getting up to 100% coverage

The ADP covers 100% of the cost (or up to 100% of the maximum amount), if you receive financial support from one of these programs:

• Ontario Works
• Ontario Disability Support Program
• Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities

If you’re applying for first time

If this is your first application to the ADP for a communication aid, you must be examined by your family doctor or a nurse practitioner. They will determine whether or not you require a communication aid for everyday tasks and activities due to a long-term disability.

Based on the examination, your doctor or nurse practitioner will refer you to a speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist registered with the ADP.

Find a vendor and apply

Follow these 6 steps to apply for help covering the cost of a communication aid:

Step 1 – Get examined by a speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist

If you need help finding a speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist, email us and we can provide you with a list.

During the examination, the speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist will fill out their part of the form and advise you on the equipment best suited to your needs.

They may decide you need one of these types of communication aids:

• high-technology speech-generating device to generate synthetic speech if you cannot speak or your speech is very hard to understand
• specialized computer system with assistive technology to allow you to type or use voice dictation if you cannot write
• communication display board

In these cases, the speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist will refer you to a communications clinic registered with the ADP.

Step 2 – Find a business that sells communication aids

The business must be registered with the ADP. Use the table below to find one. Your speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist can help you.

You can lease the equipment from a communications clinic registered with the ADP if your communication needs are expected to change for at least 1 year from the time of your assessment. This may be due to a degenerative disorder.

Find out more about leasing communication aids from the Centralized Equipment Pool (CEP). Leases are arranged with the CEP by communication aids clinics registered with ADP.

You can also buy the communication aid from a non-registered vendor.

Step 3 – Visit the business to confirm the aid you need

Staff will help you pick the communication aid that’s right for you – and fill in the business’s part of the form.

Step 4 – Mail the completed form

Once your form has been filled out, mail it to the following address:

Assistive Devices Program
5700 Yonge Street, 7^th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M2M 4K5

What happens next

We aim to review your application within 8 weeks of receiving it.

If you order or buy the communication aid(s) before funding has been approved, and your application is denied, you are responsible for the full cost.

You will receive a letter explaining our reason for the denial and how you can follow up, including appealing our decision.

If your application is approved

If your application is approved, we will notify your vendor and occupational therapist/speech language pathologist by mail.

They will contact you by phone to let you know of our decision and to arrange a time for the communication aid(s) to be delivered to you (if not already provided).

When you get your communication aid(s), you must pay your 25% share. We pay our share to the business directly. You must also pay for any options you chose to purchase. Be sure to ask how much you will be responsible for.

Buying from a non-registered vendor

You can buy a communication aid from a non-registered vendor, and still get the 75% coverage through the ADP, when:

• you need high-technology equipment and there’s no registered vendor within 100km of where you live
• you need a computer (including monitor and printer)
• you need voice restoration or speaking valves

To buy from a non-registered vendor, follow these steps:

1. Pay the full cost of the communication aid up front. Remember: it can’t cost more than the ADP price.
2. Complete the application form. You have to do this within one year of the date you were assessed by the speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist. Applications received after 1 year will be declined.

3. Mail the completed form to:

   Assistive Devices Program
   5700 Yonge Street, 7^th Floor
   Toronto, Ontario M2M 4K5

4. We aim to review your application within 8 weeks. Within a week of completing our review you will receive a letter by mail giving the application status and your file number – which you need to invoice for reimbursement.

5. Print a copy of the approval letter, attach your receipts signed and marked paid in full and send to:

   Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
   Financial Management Branch,
   Program Payments Unit
   P.O. Box 48 49 Place d’Armes, 2^nd Floor
   Kingston, Ontario K7L 5J3

Getting reimbursed

We will reimburse you directly for the 75% of the device’s ADP price. We will mail you a cheque for this amount within 4 weeks of when we receive your invoice.