State Assistive Technology Programs: Try, Borrow, Reuse and Finance Equipment

Updated October 18, 2026 · By the Aging in Place Grants research desk · How we research

Your state's Assistive Technology program lets you test and borrow equipment, get used items cheaply, and in some states take out low-cost loans.

A free place to try before you buy

Before you spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a lift chair, shower bench or ramp, there is a better first step. Every state has a State Assistive Technology program. It helps people find, try and get the right equipment.

There are 56 of these programs: one in each state, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and four U.S. territories ¹. They are funded through the federal Administration for Community Living under the Assistive Technology Act.

What "assistive technology" means

Assistive technology, or AT, is any item or system that helps a person do things more easily or safely. It can be low-tech, like a spoon with a built-up handle. It can also be high-tech, like a home automation system ¹.

For aging in place, AT often includes:

• Shower chairs, transfer benches and hand-held showers
• Grab bars and portable rails
• Walkers, rollators and wheelchairs
• Portable ramps
• Lift chairs and stair lifts
• Large-button phones, amplified phones and video doorbells
• Medication reminders and smart-home controls

AT also includes services like assessment, set-up, repair and training ¹.

What State AT programs offer

Most programs offer four main services ¹:

1. Device demonstrations

Staff show you different devices side by side and explain the features. This helps you compare before you choose.

2. Short-term device loans

You can borrow a device for a while to see if it works in your home. This is one of the most useful services for older adults. A bath bench that looks good in a catalog may not fit your tub.

3. Reuse programs

Programs collect used equipment that someone no longer needs and pass it on, often at big savings ¹. This can be a good source for walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs and more.

4. State financing

Some programs offer loans or other ways to buy AT for less, or even at no cost ¹. Federal guidance lists options such as low-interest loans, interest buy-downs, revolving loan funds and loan guarantees ³. These financing programs are meant to serve people regardless of disability type, age or income ³.

Programs also offer training, information and referrals ¹.

Examples of home help

Some State AT programs do more than lend devices. At a 2023 federal webinar on housing and home changes, presenters shared real examples ²:

• Nebraska's AT program manages home modifications across the state, including entrance ramps, vertical platform lifts, stair lifts, roll-in showers and grab bars. It uses approved contractors, seeks at least two quotes, and warranties work for one year. The average project cost about $8,500 ².
• A California disability organization runs a lending library that loans portable ramps while permanent changes are planned. It also offers no-cost minor changes like grab bars, transfer poles, portable aluminum ramps and railings ².

These examples show what is possible. Your state may offer more or less, so ask.

How to find your state program

The AT3 Center keeps a directory of every State AT program at at3center.net/stateprogram ¹. The CATADA website also has state profiles ¹.

What to say when you call

Describe the problem, not just the product. For example:

• "My father is unsteady getting off the toilet."
• "My mother can't get up our two front steps with her walker."
• "My husband has low vision and keeps missing the bottom stair."

Then ask:

• Can we see options at a demonstration center?
• Can we borrow something to try at home?
• Do you have any used equipment that might work?
• Do you offer loans for bigger purchases?
• Do you know of local programs that pay for home modifications?

Matching common problems to equipment

It can help to think in terms of the daily task that has become hard. Here are common examples to bring up with your state program:

• Getting in and out of the tub. Transfer benches, shower chairs, hand-held showers and grab bars.
• Getting up from the toilet. Raised seats, toilet safety frames and grab bars.
• Climbing front steps. Portable or modular ramps, sturdy rails, or, for bigger budgets, a platform lift.
• Moving between floors. Stair lifts, or setting up a first-floor bedroom.
• Hearing the phone or doorbell. Amplified phones and flashing-light alerts.
• Low vision. Brighter task lighting, high-contrast tape on stair edges and talking devices.
• Memory changes. Medication reminders and simple smart-home controls.

Staff can show you several options for each problem and explain the trade-offs, which is hard to get from a store or a website.

Tips for families

Try it in the real space. Measure doorways, tubs and stairs before borrowing. Bring photos if you visit a demo center.

Think short term too. A borrowed portable ramp or shower chair can bridge the gap while you wait for funding for permanent changes.

Ask about returns. If a borrowed item works, ask where to buy one and whether the reuse program has a similar model.

Combine with other help. State AT programs work well alongside Area Agencies on Aging, Centers for Independent Living and state Medicaid waivers.

Common questions

What is a State Assistive Technology program?

It is a program in each state, funded through ACL under the Assistive Technology Act, that helps people find, try and get assistive devices through demonstrations, short-term loans, reuse and financing.

Can I borrow a device before buying it?

Yes. Short-term device loans are a core service. You can borrow an item for a limited time to see if it works for you.

Do they help with home modifications?

Some do. For example, Nebraska's AT program has managed ramps, stair lifts, roll-in showers and grab bars. Other states focus only on devices. Ask your state program.

Is there an age limit?

No. State AT programs serve people with disabilities of all ages, including older adults.

How do AT loans work?

Many states run alternative financing programs, such as low-interest loans or loan guarantees, to help people buy equipment. Terms vary by state.

Sources

1. Assistive Technology (State AT Programs) — Administration for Community Living. Checked October 18, 2026.
2. Partnerships to Increase Housing Stability Through Assistive Technology, Home Modifications, & Repairs (webinar slides, Aug. 7, 2023) — Housing and Services Resource Center / ACL. Checked October 18, 2026.
3. Funding Opportunity: AT Alternative Financing Program — Administration for Community Living. Checked October 18, 2026.