Our mission is to promote access to technology and economic opportunity for individuals with disabilities in Washington State.  Washington Access Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). 

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"Like" the Washington Access Fund to get news and information on assistive technology.  Show your support and share us with your friends. Find us on Facebook!
Stay Connected! Check out the latest Access Fund eNews. June 2013: Special Needs Trusts, Financing AT, Low-Cost Internet, and Events!

Through your support, the Access Fund can provide access to technology and economic opportunity for people with disabilities throughout Washington State.
 

1. Make a Donation




2. Shop Online
Support the Access Fund in a free and easy way!  Through iGive.com, you can shop at over 800 of some of your favorite sites and a percentage of your purchase will be donated by each store to the Access Fund, ranging up to 26%! It's free and easy to sign up for an iGive.com account by clicking on the iGive.com icon to the left; you can sign up to directly support the Washington Access Fund cause! 

3. Open a Checking Account
HomeStreet Bank will donate $50 to the Washington Access Fund every time you open up a new account and tell them that the Access Fund referred you. (And you win too because new checking customers receive up to $300 in rewards for taking advantage of the offer.) Read more about the HomeStreet Refer-a-Friend Program.
 

June 19th: "Special Needs Trusts"
Please join us in welcoming Denise Redinger from Redinger Law Offices for a free webinar on Special Needs Trusts on Wednesday, June 19th at 9:00am.

Ms. Redinger will be speaking on special needs trusts, and the use and need for them. She will also briefly touch on guardianships, and speak on an alternative to guardianships, which is durable powers of attorney. She will speak on the difference and on how to tell if someone needs one or both. Estate planning for people with disabilities and for families of people with disabilities will also be addressed.

This webinar will not be recorded so be sure to listen in! Register now for this free webinar that will be taking place on Wednesday, June 19th at 9:00am by emailing: leann@washingtonaccessfund.org, or by calling: (206) 328-5116. Once you have registered, we will provide you with a link to attend the webinar and call-in information.

June 26th: "Financing Assistive Technology" 
Please join us in welcoming Mike Smith, an Attorney from Disability Rights Washington for a free webinar on financing assistive technology on Wednesday, June 26th at 12:00pm-1:00pm.

Ask almost any person with a disability who uses assistive technology, and they are likely to tell you that these are their most important assets. They also are likely to tell you that there are times when they have been unable to pay for such assets – either because they are on limited incomes or the devices they need are just “too expensive” or both.

Although it is often assumed that assistive technologies for people with disabilities are paid for by public and private health insurance and/or various government programs, that is simply not the case. Join this webinar to learn about alternative financing options and ways to pay for assistive technology!

Register now for this free webinar that will be taking place on Wednesday, June 26th at 12:00pm by emailing: leann@washingtonaccessfund.org, or by calling: (206) 328-5116. Once you have registered, we will provide you with a link to attend the webinar and call-in information.
 

Are you an entrepreneur with a disability who needs a business loan for your small business? Need help writing your business plan? Then sign up for the Access Fund's free, accessible web-based meetings! Stay tuned for the next start date! 

To register: please email kathy@washingtonaccessfund.org or give our office a call at (206) 328-5116.  Space is limited, sign up in advance to reserve your spot!
 

For someone who wouldn't call herself "tech savvy," this Seattle native has been getting a lot of use out of her iPad2 and MacBook Pro - both purchased with an Access Fund loan. Meet Jerri Ingram!  Prior to getting her loan, Jerri scheduled an appointment with the Washington Assistive Technology Act Program (WATAP) to learn more about the accessibility options available in different devices. She says that it was a great experience working with WATAP; they really knew their stuff and were rigorous in their efforts to make sure she got the right equipment. It was helpful to be able to try out different devices in one place rather than having to make the rounds to various stores. ...Without the technology and Jerri's faith in SGI-USA Buddhism, she wouldn't be where she is today. "I'm just so grateful to you guys, the program is awesome. You saved me just in the nick of time!" 

Read Jerri Ingram's full profile here!  Jerri was featured in our October 2012 eNews.

Small Business Showcase
Check out "deafREVIEW," the newest addition to the Access Fund's Client Business Directory! The Access Fund is proud to showcase the small businesses of Access Fund clients. If you are an Access Fund client and would like to be featured, please send your information to: leann@washingtonaccessfund.org.

Meet the small business owner behind deafREVIEW, Melissa "echo" Greenlee!