Official State of Rhode Island website

Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals State of Rhode Island

Technology Fund

The Division can help people getting services buy technology. This technology must help the person in their daily life. The money to buy the technology comes from a one-time Technology Fund. This fund is separate from a person's service funding. 

This webpage shares details about the Technology Fund, including how to apply for it.  

Technology

Technology includes devices and software. Technology can help people become more independent in their life. It can help people communicate, remember, get from one place to another, and much more. Some examples of technology people can buy with this fund are: 

  • A tablet or cell phone 
  • A “smart home” appliance with automatic features 
  • An electronic watch
  • An app with reminders to stay on track at work
  • An alarm reminder to take medication 
  • A screen reader that turns words into sound

To learn more about technology and the technology fund, review: 

Technology Request Form

About the Technology Request Form

People must apply for the Technology Fund in order to get it. People can apply for this fund by submitting the Technology Request Form (online form). This form is available in English and Spanish.

The person can submit their form alone or choose someone to help them. They can also ask someone to submit the form for them, like a support coordinator or family member.

If for some reason the person can't submit the form, they can call their Social Caseworker for help.

Details about this form are available in American Sign Language (ASL). The ASL details are available online:

Due Dates to Submit the Technology Request Form

People can submit their form any time before four deadlines in the year:

  • August 31, 2024
  • November 30, 2024
  • February 28, 2025
  • May 31, 2025

The Division will tell the person if they got the funds one month after the deadline they submitted the form by. For example, if they submit the form by August 31, 2024, then they will get an update in September 2024.

Each application period is open for 3 months. If the person misses the deadline, their request will be included in the next round.

Contact for Help

Please email BHDDH.DDTechRequest@bhddh.ri.gov for help or more details about the fund. 

This part lists frequently asked questions (FAQs) people have about the technology fund. The word frequently means often. FAQs are the top questions people ask most often. 

  1. Who can apply for this fund?
    • You must be getting services from the Division and have an Individual Support Plan (ISP).
  2. Where can I learn more about this fund including the Technology Request Form?
    • On the BHDDH Technology Fund website.
    • The Request Form is available in English, Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL).
    • Contact your Social Case Worker if you need more support.
  3. How much can I spend?
    • There is no set amount of funding you can ask for to buy technology. But the fund has a limited amount of money in it. This money is not for a single person. Instead, it must be open and shared with every person getting services from the Division.
  4. Do I need a technology goal in my ISP to access the Technology Fund? 
    • You do not need a technology goal in your ISP.
    • You do need to be able to use the technology you ask for to meet a goal in your ISP.
    • If you already have a goal where the technology supports your progress, then you do not need to write a new goal. 
    • If you do not have a goal where technology supports your progress, then you need to update your ISP. The update must explain why and/or how the technology will help you. Contact your plan writer or support coordinator to update your ISP.
  5. When do I have to submit my Technology Request Form?
    • You can submit your form any time before four deadlines in the year:
      • August 31, 2024
      • November 30, 2024
      • February 28, 2025
      • May 31, 2025
    • The Division will let you know if you will get the funds one month after the deadline you submitted your form by. For example, if you submit your form by August 31, 2024, then you will get an update in September 2024.
  6. What happens if I miss the deadline to submit a Technology Request Form?
    • Each application period is open for 3 months. If you miss the deadline, your request will be included in the next round.
  7. Who can submit the Technology Request Form?
    • You can submit your form by yourself. If you need help, you can choose the person to help you. Someone can also submit the form for you, like your support coordinator or family member.
  8. I self-direct my services. Is there anything I need to know about accessing the Fund?
    • You can access the fund by submitting the request form.
  9. What if I don’t know who my Social Caseworker is?
    • You can call the Division at (401) 462-3421 and someone will help you.
  10. How will I know if my request has been approved? Will you send me the technology?
    • The Division will contact you by email or mail about your request. If approved, then your request will go to the next step. The Division will send your request to your service provider or Fiscal Intermediary (FI). Your service provider or FI will buy your technology for you.
  11. What happens if my request is not approved?
    • The Division will contact you by email or mail about your request. The Division will let you know why your request was not approved. You can make changes to your request and resubmit it.
  12. I’m not sure what technology to get. Where do I start?
    • There are many technology options you can choose from. First think about your ISP goals and what might help you reach them. Then, try searching for different technology people with disabilities use. You can search online, in stores, and ask the people around you. Some examples of technology are smart devices and tablets. The request form has other examples you can explore.
  13. Does the Technology Fund pay for assessments or training? 
    • No, it is only for technology tools or software.
  14. I will need help to learn the technology I purchase. My staff needs to learn how to support me using it. How do I do this?
    • Your Support Coordinator or Plan Writer can work with you on a training plan. The Division is working with two community agencies to make a training tool library. The two community agencies are the Sherlock Center and Advocates in Action. 
  15. When will the next Technology Fund Forum be?
    • You can find out about technology fund events on the Division website and in the newsletter. Visit the website to learn more.
  16. What’s the difference between assistive technology and off the shelf technology?
    • Assistive Technology (AT) is any item, software, or system that helps a person with a disability. For a long time, AT focused on specialized tools and devices. Now it includes devices made for anyone. The devices made for anyone are off the shelf technology. These include touch screen devices and home systems.
  17.  How can I avoid delay of approval of my request?
    • One of the best ways to avoid a delay in your request is to put as much detail in your request form as you can. Some problems to avoid with the request form are: 
      • Not enough detail about the items you are asking for, like missing device model or cost.
      • Not listing the ISP goal(s) the technology will help you meet.
      • Not giving detail about how you will use the technology to support your life.
      • Not enough detail about why you need more than the base model of a device. A base model is the least expensive model. For example, you might need a larger screen because of your vision needs.
      • You ask for a device with cellular, but you don’t explain why you need it. The Technology Fund can buy a device that has cellular. But the fund can't pay for monthly fees.
      • You asked for gaming equipment. The Technology Fund will not pay for gaming and entertainment equipment. The only time the fund may pay for this is if the technology goes with an ISP goal. The ISP goal must not keep you away from the community or people.
      • Your request is approved, but there may be other ways to get the technology. For example, you may be able to get the technology from other places like Medicaid. Or you may want technology for work, which you can get from employment funds.

For a version of the FAQs to print, review the Tech Fund FAQs 2024 (PDF) document.

Technology Fund Forums

In the past, the Division hosted technology fund forums. The forums were meetings that gave people details about the fund. There were three forums held in 2022. The forums were online and there are video recordings available. 

  1. April 6, 2022 forum:
  2. August 10, 2022 forum:
  3. October 13, 2022 forum: 

Technology Training 

A good place to start searching for technology training is to go online. One website that may help is Able Opportunities, Inc. This a company that offers free technology training tools.