SOFTWARE DREAMS
ACCESSING DONATED EQUIPMENT

Text By Superadaptoid

WHEN YOU KNOW SOMEONE DISABLED NEEDS SOMETHING SPECIAL.

Know a disabled person in need, who can not afford to purchase the new adaptive equipment solutions. Here is a strategy to secure donated and second- hand adaptive equipment from your local community sources and resources.

Every day, someone, somewhere, has something useful to give away. Beyond yard sales, classifieds, and trips to the dump, these items are destined for "donation".

Nationally, in almost every small town or major city, there are community service organizations supported through donations to Thrift Stores and second- hand shops. Remember donated goods that are "less than perfect", un- identified, or not sold" generate "no income" and will cost more money to pay the dump fee. Look for the following organizations in your community, or nearest major etro- area:

Goodwill Industries
St Vincent De Paul
Salvation Army
Union Gospel Missions
Deseret Industries,
Volunteers Of America
Am-Vets
Check Local Thrift Stores

On any given week day, in any metropolitan area, tons of donations are received and processed.

STEP BY STEP

Instructions to secure special equipment donations:

Computer Equipment,
Walkers,
Wheelchairs,
Electric Carts,
Adjustable Beds,
Bath Equipment,
You Name It.

1. MAKE AN OUTLINE:
Know who, and what is needed.

A. Know about the item(s) you are looki\ng to find. Who makes the item(s). Current costs and present value.

B. Describe who needs the item(s). A physical description of the person in need. A personal resource assessment. A general income to living- costs statement.

C. Describe what is needed. Detail what the minimum requirements for each item. Of possible specify and Identify by make as well as model numbers.

2. MAKE CONTACTS:
Knowing who, and where to ask.

First Contact Option:
Most community service organization Thrift Shops and second- hand stores have Client Social Service Departments. Go directly and make contact in person or by telephone. Use your outline, [see above], to describe the "who" and "what" is needed. Request the assistance of their organization.

Second Contact Follow-Up:
Time may be required to find the special equipment requested. Be sure to take names and make follow- up contacts on a regular schedule. The objective is to keep your name "familiar" and your equipment request "active".

Alternative Approaches:
Some community service organization Thrift Stores [such as St Vincent De Paul], do not resell medical and physical assistive equipment donations. These are items that are "loaned" at no cost. Contact Client Social Services and/or Donations Processing Department Superviser to identify who is the person responsible for the daily sorting of special equipment .

Some community service organization Thrift Stores located in small towns, outside Metro areas, can be contacted through the Store Manager. Follow the same first contact proceedures [listed above].

3. OTHER RESOURCES
Who can help, and what to ask.

A. Volunteer "Technical Assistance" for computers. Here are local people who are knowledgible to do installations and "trouble shoot". Contact local P.C. and Mac Clubs. Attend their meetings, suggest a project, and make a request.

B. "Free Is Only A Good Price". Batteries for electric carts and wheelchairs by the time they reach the Trift Store have been stored in someone's garage for months and/or years. Batteries un- used are dead and should be replaced.

The least expensive option is "Rebuilt" lead/acid batteries cost about $ 50.00 each. Be sure to get "deep drain" golf cart type replacements.

Electric carts and wheelchairs come with battery chargers; which may have been lost. A 12 volt replacement chargers cost under $ 50.00. A 24 volt replacement chargers cost over $100.00.

C. "Even Free Has Costs". Maintenance and repair for wheelchairs and carts can be hard to find as well as costly when serviced by Medical Equipment Suppliers. Look for locat Bike Shops, as well as Volunteer Coomunity Bike Clubs and Bike Chinic(s).

For "chain driven" electric cart maintence go to your local gas station garage. They can lub- joints, fix flats, change tires, and repair battery motors.

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