ADP : Communication Aids

• voice amplifiers
• electrolarynges
• writing aids
• communication boards
• voice output devices
• adaptive devices to help people access writing and speech aids

• regular or adaptive telephones
• environmental control units/devices
• used equipment
• items purchased outside of Ontario
• communication devices which are used for only one purpose such as school, work, sports, recreation or social activities.

Anyone with a long-term physical disability who requires the use of a communication aid for six months or longer.

You must be eligible for Ontario Health Insurance and have a valid Health Card in your name.

ADP does not pay for equipment available under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board or to Group 'A' veterans for their pensioned conditions.

You may apply for speech aids if you cannot speak, or your speech is very hard to understand and you require a :

• communication display
• voice output device
• voice amplifier
• electrolarynx

You may apply for one writing aid, such as a computer or a portable electronic note taker if you cannot write.

ADP will only fund used equipment if the equipment is from an ADP authorized equipment pool.

You start by contacting an ADP registered authorizer. You can get information about authorizers registered with ADP by calling :

First time applicants must be seen by a medical doctor.

The doctor will confirm your need for a communication aid and write your medical diagnosis in Section 2 of the ADP form. The doctor may refer you to an authorizer registered with ADP if you haven't already been referred to one.

If you have received ADP funding for a communication aid in the past, you may go directly to an authorizer registered with ADP.

If you cannot speak or your speech is very hard to understand, you need to see a speech-language pathologist registered with ADP. This authorizer will determine if you are eligible to apply for ADP funding. This authorizer will also determine what type of communication aid you need, then write it in Section 3 of your ADP form.

If you require a high-technology voice output device, a specialized computer system or a communication board, you need to go to an ADP-designated communication centre for an assessment.

From any vendor registered with ADP. You can get information about vendors registered with ADP by calling one of the telephone numbers on page one. You may also buy certain aids through communication centres designated by ADP.

If there is no ADP registered vendor in your community within 100 km, you may buy the communication aid from an Ontario vendor who is not registered with ADP. You will need to get two quotations from two separate vendors.

When you buy your communication aid, you will have to pay the vendor for the full cost of the purchase. You are then responsible to provide the completed Equipment/Supply Authorization form, two quotations and the necessary invoices to ADP within one year of the time that your aid is authorized. ADP will then reimburse you directly for the funding amounts once your application form and invoice(s) are approved. Ask your authorizer for more details.

You can also lease some communication aids from an ADP designated communication centre if your medical condition is changing and you are eligible for high technology aids. You pay an annual lease fee.

In some instances, the vendor will bill ADP for 75 per cent of the ADP price for the device. You will be charged for the remaining 25 per cent.

In other instances, the vendor will bill ADP for 75 per cent up to a maximum contribution for the device. You will be responsible for the difference, which may be more than 25 per cent of the cost.

If you are receiving social assistance benefits from Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, or Assistance to Children with Severe Disabilities at the time the device is authorized, you may be eligible to receive more funding assistance.

Ask your registered authorizer for more details.

ADP is in the process of changing its funding from a maximum contribution to a fixed contribution over the next year. During this transition, some communication aids will continue to be funded in the old way of a maximum contribution. You pay the difference between the ADP contribution and the vendor's price for the device.

Some private insurance plans may. If you have private medical coverage, check to see if it will pay you for the amount not covered by ADP.

If you experience a significant change in your medical condition or growth, then you should see your authorizer. He or she can contact ADP about early replacement funding. ADP may pay part of the cost.

If your original communication aid is no longer working and cannot be repaired at a reasonable cost, then ADP will contribute towards the cost of a new one when the replacement period has passed. Each type of communication aid has its own replacement period. Your ADP authorizer or ADP vendor can provide you with information about the replacement period.

ADP will not pay for the early replacement of a communication aid if it is lost, stolen or damaged through misuse. You are encouraged to buy private insurance to cover these possibilities.

For further information, please write :

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Assistive Devices Program
7th Floor, 5700 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M2M 4K5

Or call ADP :

Toronto  416-327-8804
Toll-free  1-800-268-6021
TDD/TTY  416-327-4282
TDD/TTY  1-800-387-5559
Fax  416-327-8192

June 2004 / Cat. No. 2104206