About Washington Access Fund

What is the Washington Access Fund?
The Washington Access Fund is a nonprofit, Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) established by and for people with disabilities in Washington state.  The Fund provides low-interest loans and other financing services to help individuals with disabilities obtain the technologies and business equipment needed to live independently and to succeed at school, at work, at play and in the community.  Click here to learn about Borrower Survey results and CCTV Renter Survey results.

Our Mission
Washington Access Fund's mission is to promote access to technology and economic opportunity for individuals with disabilities in Washington state.  

What does Washington Access Fund do?
Washington Access Fund provides:

• Low interest loans for assistive technology needed for any purpose -- including home and vehicle accessibility modifications ("Assistive Technology Loans"); 
• Low interest loans for business equipment needed for employment or self-employment ("Business Equipment Loans");
• Individual Development or Matched Savings Accounts for assistive technology and business equipment; and
• Long term, low cost rentals of Closed Circuit TV Magnifiers to individuals with significant vision loss to support independent living, education and employment.   

History
Washington Access Fund is a non-profit organized under the laws of the state of Washington and section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code meaning that donations to it are tax deductible. Our tax ID Number is: 91-2094889.  Washington Access Fund is also a recognized by the U.S. Department of Treasury as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). CDFI's focus on providing access to capital (loans and other financing services) to low income individuals and communities.  As of April 2012, the Access Fund had made 410 loans -- lending out nearly $1,430,000.   Most of our clients are low income with nearly 70% living in households with incomes below 80% of the statewide median and about 51% below 50% of the statewide median.  The Fund nevertheless boasts a low 2.2% default rate (based on loans repaid as a percentage of all loans disbursed) - testimony to the role of these technologies in the lives of our borrowers.