Vision nonprofit

assistive technology program

Program Overview

Thank you for your interest in Vision Nonprofit’s Assistive Technology Program. We’re committed to supporting children with visual impairments by providing tools that enhance access to learning and independence. We primarily support children in grades K-12. If you are outside this age range, you are still welcome to apply; however, assistance may be subject to available funding or special circumstances.

To ensure your application is complete and eligible for review, please carefully read the following requirements.

Required Documentation

To ensure assistive devices are provided to children who truly need them for vision-related support, we require documentation that gives a clear picture of both the child’s diagnosis and how the device will be used.

Your submission must include a report or letter from a qualified provider (see approved provider list) and must contain all three required content items listed in the next section.

To reflect your child’s current needs, documentation must be dated within the last 18 months from the time you submit your application. If your most recent evaluation is older than that, we kindly ask that you schedule an updated assessment before applying.

Required Content

All documentation must be uploaded with your application below. To be eligible for assistive device support, your submission must include all three of the following items, provided by an approved provider (see list below). Incomplete submissions may delay review and may not be prioritized.

  1. Diagnosis of a vision condition, with an explicit statement that the child is low vision or blind
    Note: Vision screenings from retail stores (e.g., LensCrafters) or basic eye exams do not meet this requirement

  2. Recommendation for the specific assistive device (e.g., if requesting an iPad, the report must state that an iPad is recommended due to the child’s vision impairment)

  3. Justification for how the device will support the child’s learning, communication, or daily functioning

Approved Providers

Documentation must come from one of the following qualified sources:

  • Ophthalmologist or optometrist

  • Certified clinic or rehabilitation center specializing in low vision or blindness

  • Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) with direct knowledge of the child’s needs
    Note: TVIs cannot diagnose vision conditions. Their reports must include documentation of diagnosis and designation of low vision or blindness from a medical provider.

  • Vision-focused medical practice including private practices and hospital-affiliated clinics
    Note: General retail vision centers (e.g., Costco Optical, LensCrafters) are not accepted

*If you have any questions on required documentation, please email eric.hintz@visionnonprofit.org or jillian.hintz@visionnonprofit.org.

Before You Begin Your Application

Please review the policies below before submitting your application. These help us ensure fairness, transparency, and timely support for all families.

Privacy Policy
Your information is kept confidential and used only to assess eligibility and communicate about your application. We never share personal details without your consent.

Pickup Policy
If your application is approved and you live within 25 miles of Vision HQ (West Chester, OH), we ask that you plan to pick up your device in person, unless a compelling circumstance prevents it. This helps us conserve shipping resources and serve more families efficiently. If pickup isn’t possible, please reply to your approval email with a brief explanation. We’ll review your situation and do our best to accommodate your needs.

Distribution Timeline
Assistive devices are distributed on a rolling basis to approved applicants, and availability may vary depending on current inventory and funding. We do our best to fulfill approved applications promptly and will notify families if there’s a temporary delay.