ADP : Visual Aids

OPTICAL AIDS like magnifiers, telescopes and specialized glasses are covered through ADP.

READING AND WRITING SYSTEMS like audio book playback machines, closed-circuit televisions and braillers are covered through ADP.  So are ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY DEVICES like white canes.

• Visual aids which are used for only one purpose such as school, work, sports, recreation or social activities
• Used equipment
• Items purchased before they are authorized by an authorizer registered with ADP
• Items purchased outside of Ontario

You may be eligible for up to three optical aids, one reading aid, one writing aid, and one orientation and mobility aid.

Anyone with long-term low vision or blindness that can not be corrected medically, surgically or with ordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses (e.g. corrected vision in the better eye is in the range of 20/70 or less).

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 & Insurance Board or to Group “A” veterans for their pensioned conditions.

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

The authorizer registered with ADP will perform an assessment to determine your eligibility for the program and write the type of equipment suited to your needs in Section 3 of the Equipment/Supply Authorization form.

For optical aids like specialized prescription glasses or contact lenses, field enhancement and spectacle mounted low vision aids, you must see an ophthalmologist or optometrist who is an ADP registered authorizer.  For optical aids such as non-spectacle mounted magnifiers, telescopes, binoculars and non-prescriptive absorptive filters you must see an ophthalmologist, optometrist or vision rehabilitation worker who is an ADP registered authorizer.

For reading aids like audio book playback machines, you must see a specialist teacher of the blind or rehabilitation teacher or vision rehabilitation worker who is an ADP registered authorizer.  For writing aids like Perkins braillers, you must see a specialist teacher of the blind or a rehabilitation teacher who is an ADP registered authorizer.

For reading and writing systems such as Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTVs) and computer equipment, you must see a CCTV or high technology authorizer registered with ADP and located at ADP designated centres.

For orientation and mobility aids like white canes, you must see an orientation and mobility instructor who is an ADP registered authorizer.

The equipment must be authorized by an ADP registered authorizer before ADP will approve funding.

CCTVs are leased to own through an ADP equipment pool.  All other visual aids must be purchased through a vendor registered with ADP.  Registered vendors bill ADP for the amount it will pay toward your visual aid.  They then charge you the remaining amount.

If you require high technology computer equipment, and there is no registered vendor in your community within 100 km, then you may buy the equipment 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 high technology equipment, you will have to pay the vendor for the full cost of the purchase.  You are then responsible to provide the completed Equipment/Supply Authoriza-tion form, two quotations and the necessary invoices to ADP within one year of the time that your equipment is authorized. 

ADP will then reimburse you directly for the funding amounts once your application form and invoices are approved.  Ask your authorizer for more details.

The vendor will bill ADP for 75 per cent of the ADP price of the device except for optical aids.  You will be charged the remaining 25 per cent.

If you are purchasing an optical aid, the vendor will bill ADP for 75 per cent of the cost up to a maximum contribution.  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 that the visual aid is authorized, you may be eligible to receive more funding assistance.  Ask your registered authorizer for more details.

You usually have 30 days to try out your visual aid.  If you are not satisfied with it, return the visual aid to the vendor before the trial period ends.  The vendor may charge you a handling fee.  Ask your vendor for more details.

If you experience a significant change in your medical condition, you should see your ADP authorizer. He or she can write to ADP explaining why your visual aid has to be replaced and request funding assistance. ADP may pay part of the cost.

Each type of visual aid has its own replacement period. If, after the placement period has passed, your original visual aid is no longer working and cannot be repaired at a reasonable cost, ADP may contribute towards the cost of a new visual aid.  You must see an ADP authorizer and have a new assessment. 

Your ADP authorizer or ADP vendor can provide you with information about the replacement period. 

ADP will not contribute towards the early replacement of equipment that is lost, stolen or damaged due to 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
5700 Yonge Street, 7th Floor
Toronto, ON  M2M 4K5

OR call one of the telephone numbers listed below :

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

December 2008 / Cat. No. 2104222