Author: eanderson

Today is the day set aside to raise awareness about assistive technology (AT). Help us spread the word! REquipment welcomes donations of gently used AT and provides refurbished AT for free in our online inventory.

We began including AT last fall and ever since, we have been sharing available devices and successes on our Facebook page, blog, and newsletter.

What we haven’t done is explain how we fit into the bigger picture of Massachusetts AT services …

MassMATCH — The Massachusetts AT Program

Thanks to the federal AT Act of 2004, every state and territory has an AT program. REquipment is part of MassMATCH, a network of AT services within Massachusetts that make up the Massachusetts AT Program. MassMATCH helps Massachusetts residents learn about, try out, and acquire AT devices.

Trying out equipment is important because, with assistive technology, there is no one-size-fits-all. A weighted eating utensil might be terrific for eating with your essential tremor but a total failure for your father with Parkinson’s. You might mount soap dispensers in your parents’ shower to reduce tripping hazards, only to find your parents can’t operate the buttons. And there’s no question that a communication device must be carefully customized for the user’s abilities, environments, wants, and needs. AT is about finding what works and is satisfying to the user.

Here’s how to get hands-on and find what works for you.

See and Try Devices at Your AT Regional Center

Your AT Regional Center is a great place to try out a range of assistive technology and borrow devices for up to four weeks at a time. In Massachusetts, AT Regional Centers are operated by Easterseals and UCP of Western Massachusetts. They share an online inventory of loaner equipment that is separate from REquipment’s inventory of free donated equipment.

Visit your AT Regional Center to check out the latest AT for use at home, work, school, and in the community. Anyone with an interest may borrow a device at no charge. Find your closest AT Regional Center and call them to discuss what you are interested in exploring. You can also just show up, but they prefer knowing when you’re coming so they can get equipment ready to show you when you come.

Search AT Inventories Available to Massachusetts Residents

Do you already know what you need? Look for it in REquipment’s online inventory. Our program expanded this fall to include devices in categories such as Aids for Daily Living, Hearing, Vision, Communication Devices, Speech Amplification, and Adaptive Computer Devices.

If you think you know what you want but haven’t tried the device before, search the MassMATCH short-term loan program inventory. Borrow a device to determine if it works for you or to fill a short-term need.

Want it for the long haul? The Long Term Device Loan Program may be able to help. Administered by Easterseals, this program provides devices valued under $500 to individuals with disabilities who meet income guidelines. Devices may be kept for as long as the user needs them. The program prioritizes devices necessary to meet physical health and safety needs, improve independence, or serve as a primary means of communication. The AT must be reusable and may not be customized. Learn about the Long Term Device Loan Program.

Get Help With Purchasing AT

Need help buying a device?  Check out the AT Mini Loan administered by Easterseals. The Mini Loan provides zero-percent interest loans of $500 to $2,000 for the purchase of assistive technology products and services. This can be a way to afford computers, hearing aids, dentures, communication tools, vehicle modifications, etc. You may qualify even if you have no credit history or a lower-than-average credit score. This program can help young adults with disabilities build a credit history as they buy what they need. Learn more about the AT Mini Loan.

Does the AT you want cost over $2,000? An AT Financial Loan can provide low-interest loans for the purchase of assistive technology products and services with a cost of over $2,000. The AT Financial Loan program is commonly used for vehicle modifications, but it is not restricted to this purpose. Is there adapted recreation equipment you want? A more expensive hearing aid? Easterseals has an easy-to-use loan calculator on its website, so you can consider what you can afford. Find it and learn more about the AT Financial Loan.

Help REquipment Keep its Funding

MassMATCH programs are partially funded by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) and the Administration of Community Living of the US Department of Health and Human Services (through the AT Act).

However, most REquipment’s funding comes from the Massachusetts legislature, funneled through MRC.

Do you love our mission to provide free, gently used, durable home medical equipment and assistive technology statewide? Let your state representative know. The Governor’s budget for FY25 is missing $500K in funding. Follow us on Facebook for budget season updates

Contact your state representatives. Raise awareness about how important REquipment is to you!

At REquipment Durable Medical Equipment (DME) & Assistive Technology (AT) Reuse Program, Inc., our mission is to improve the quality of life and independence of Massachusetts residents through access to free, gently used durable home medical equipment and assistive technology. Today, we are excited to announce a significant milestone in our journey: on April 8th, we welcome Adriana Mallozzi as our new CEO. Adriana’s record of dynamic leadership and unwavering dedication to the disability community makes us confident she will lead our nonprofit into a new era of expanded community impact.

Embracing Change

As we welcome Adriana, Karen Langley’s legacy is foremost in our minds. The REquipment program has provided more than $16.6 million in no-cost DME to people of all ages statewide since 2014. Today, the program fills a hole in the Commonwealth’s safety net and has come to be relied on by families, children, older adults, veterans, individuals with disabilities, service providers, medical professionals, and major medical centers. As we bid farewell to our esteemed founder, we express our deepest gratitude for her life-long vision and dedication. Karen will remain as the REquipment, Inc. Board President through October.

Meet Adriana Mallozzi

Adriana Mallozzi brings a wealth of personal and professional experience with AT and DME and a dedication to the disability community in Massachusetts. An alumna of Boston College and the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston, Adriana has spent 20 years working with disability-related programs and projects, including eight years as the founder and CEO of Puffin Innovations, Inc., an assistive technology startup. Her innovative thinking, private sector relationships, and commitment to Independent Living values make her an ideal fit for leading REquipment going forward. She also understands she has big shoes to fill. “This is an essential service that keeps people independent and improves quality of life,” says Adriana. “As someone who has relied on REquipment, I’m honored and committed to continue to build on Karen Langley’s legacy as REquipment, Inc.’s next CEO.”

A Vision for the Future

The REquipment program recently expanded to accept and refurbish donated assistive technology in addition to durable medical equipment. The task ahead is to expand the capacity and reach of these core activities.  “Adriana has a track record of collaborating across differences,” observes Karen Langley. “She’s also a fierce advocate. These are qualities attractive to any nonprofit. Combine them with her experience as a user and innovator of assistive technology and durable medical equipment, and we see an opportunity to deepen our commitment and reach into more communities. The Board is very excited to welcome Adriana.”

REquipment, Inc. assists individuals to live with dignity and maximum independence. With Adriana Mallozzi at the helm, we are excited to learn new ways to meet the challenges facing the program and take advantage of new opportunities.

As always, this program relies on you, our generous community of equipment users and donors. Your trust in REquipment, Inc. has and will continue to make all our accomplishments possible. Thank you for all that you do caring for your community.

This post is different.

Often, we post stories about individuals or families who have benefited from REquipment’s services. We also share data from our annual reports.

On March 13, 2024, we took a snapshot of the day’s requests.

Below is that random Wednesday in March at the REquipment Durable Medical Equipment and Assistive Technology Reuse Program.

The results say more than any set of website pictures or annual reports might convey.

• A 68-year-old white woman with arthritis in Brookline requested a dressing stick and mobility aid to assist her recovery from surgery.
• A 26-year-old Asian woman in Cambridge with muscular dystrophy and a spinal cord injury requested a complex power wheelchair for use at work.
• A 28-year-old biracial woman in Holbrook with multiple disabilities requested a complex power wheelchair that insurance had denied her.
• An 18-year-old man from Andover with autism and a seizure disorder requested a tilt-in-space manual wheelchair for use at school.
• An 85-year-old white woman in Pittsfield with Parkinson’s requested an over-the-bed table.
• A 20-year-old white nonbinary person in Amherst with Autism and POTS requested a manual wheelchair.
• A 30-year-old Black transgender man requested a manual wheelchair for recovering from surgery.
• A 39-year-old white woman with cancer in North Adams requested a rollator.
• A 30-year-old Latina or Hispanic woman with muscular dystrophy in Worcester requested a power wheelchair that insurance denied her.
• A 42-year-old Latina or Hispanic woman with arthritis and obesity requested a shower chair in Dorchester.
• A 66-year-old white woman with nerve damage requested a power wheelchair in Cummington.
• A 73-year-old Black man with cancer requested a scooter to reduce his risk of falls in Pittsfield.
• An 85-year-old white woman with arthritis in Pittsfield requested a basic power wheelchair.
• A 65-year-old white woman with Down Syndrome in Norwood requested a manual wheelchair.
• A 72-year-old white woman with arthritis in Worcester requested a seat cushion.
• A 78-year-old white woman with dementia in Salem requested a transport wheelchair.
• An 80-year-old white woman in Millbury with dementia and arthritis requested a Hoyer lift to remain living at home.

Know someone who could use free, durable medical equipment and assistive technology? Search our inventory. Tell them about our program. We are statewide and serve everyone who needs us.

Perhaps you’ve seen our memes on Facebook? REquipment is spreading the word about last year’s accomplishments in time for this year’s budget-making season. Here, we bring together some of these highlights and explain our sense of urgency.

The governor’s FY25 budget proposal is missing $500,000 for REquipment.

These are essential “annualization” funds for our program. We need the House and Senate proposals to fully fund the 4120-4000 account (at $14,395,864) and restore our $500,000 earmark so we can provide the same level of services. Already, we are lean and mean, as Program Director Dan Perkins puts it, “without the mean.”

REquipment’s online inventory makes it possible for anyone in Massachusetts to browse and acquire what they need free of charge.  This makes us look like a centralized operation. In reality, we coordinate regional partnerships, and our administrative staff works from home. What we accomplish is extraordinary.

Free equipment is delivered statewide to whoever needs it.

We can’t afford a $500K cut.

Last fiscal year, we provided an astounding 112 power wheelchairs to Massachusetts residents. Did you know REquipment is the only reuse program in Massachusetts to refurbish power wheelchairs? Each is free and delivered with new batteries.

Because we provide this service, people who need a power chair but cannot get one or people who are waiting months for a repair can stay mobile. No insurance or doctor’s orders are necessary. Last fiscal year, we diverted 45 tons of equipment from solid waste facilities. Power wheelchairs are a big part of that story. And some are worth tens of thousands of dollars.

REquipment also provided 509 manual wheelchairs. This is our most requested device. Manual wheelchairs range from complex tilt-in-space pediatric models to adult transport chairs and everything in between. They keep people out of bed when their primary chair is broken and out for repair. They help people leave the hospital or rehab. They keep kids safe on the bus. They are a temporary need or a permanent solution.

REquipment also provided 208 shower chairs and 120 bath benches. Did you know Medicare does not provide safety equipment for the bathroom? If you need a shower chair, check out our site! Bathroom safety saves lives and healthcare dollars.

REquipment also provided 195 rollator walkers and 112 sling lifts.  All told, 1,590 pieces of home medical equipment valued at $2.47M were distributed statewide in FY23. 50% went to persons under age 65.

REquipment provided $2.47M worth of durable medical equipment statewide in FY23.

Our devices are not loaners. They are yours to keep. We ask for $20 if we deliver, and we can waive that fee if it’s a hardship.

We are lean without the mean.

Contact your state representative and tell them why REquipment is a budget priority.

Donate $25 to help buy new power wheelchair batteries.

Read our FY23 Annual Report

If you follow REquipment on Facebook, you know that as of 2/12/2024, we have closed for durable medical equipment (DME) donations. Due to the overwhelming generosity of this community, we cannot take any more durable medical equipment until we free up storage space. 

Assistive technology (AT), however, is welcome and appreciated.

This is both great and difficult news. Great, because we have plenty of DME to give away, and we continue to receive calls about equipment donations. Great because it means we are well known and relied on; we get calls from individuals, health organizations, and recently, a durable medical equipment supplier that is closing up shop and donating EVERYTHING to us. This will mean the opportunity to provide new DME at zero cost to people who can’t otherwise get what they need. 

The downside is that until further notice, we have to tell people we can’t take their DME. And taking donations is an essential part of our service.

This week, we spoke to a woman grieving the death of her child. She has eight valuable pieces of equipment she is donating, pediatric equipment she cannot bear to see go into the landfill, but she also needs them out of her house.  “It doesn’t get easier with time,” she said.

Luckily, her donation was already slated for pickup. She’d made it through before we’d put a pause on the service. She nearly broke down with relief when she learned this.

“We will find this equipment a second life with someone who really needs it,” we told her.

Now, for a few weeks, we will have to say… not yet.

Because that’s how it is with REquipment. We don’t say “No” very often. We say, “Keep checking back.” Eventually, the equipment shows up that someone needs (if it’s part of our accepted device list). Eventually, we will have space for donations again because we see tremendous turnover.

The numbers tell the story. In FY23, 1,294 devices were donated, and we gave away 1,590. All told, REquipment has reassigned more than $16.6 million worth of durable medical equipment since 2014.

In the meantime, if you have AT to donate, we’re taking it. And it you have DME, you can wait for us to reopen sometime this spring or visit our reuse resources list. All of the smaller reuse programs in Massachusetts are listed. 

As always, thank you for paying it forward.

Donate assistive technology

Make a financial gift to REquipment, Inc.

With pride for the program and a bit of sadness, I’m writing to announce my plan to retire from serving as REquipment Inc.’s executive director. As many of you know, I retired from state government in 2015 to focus exclusively on developing our statewide reuse program. Now, it’s time to truly move on to new adventures. Rest assured, this transition will be slow and methodical, but my position is posted, and I want to share my thoughts about how this year will unfold.

First, l have to say how proud I am of what we’ve built together. Prior to 2017, Massachusetts had no comprehensive way to find free, durable medical equipment online and accessible to anyone in Massachusetts. Today, the REquipment program is a unique public-private partnership, teaming five nonprofits with three state entities to provide this essential service. Most important, however, is our collaboration with the public at large. With the commitment and generosity of our neighbors, each year, we divert 25-30 tons of valuable equipment from solid waste and refurbish it for a second life. The dedication of our partners and staff is also what keeps the program running smoothly and focused on our mission. From our director and service coordinators to our technicians and drivers, you have seen us through some rocky times and kept going what has become a vital state safety net.

I have to say how proud I am of what we’ve built together.

This year, we achieved another important milestone: the addition of assistive technology to our inventory. From the very beginning, this has been our objective. In 2015, after a successful pilot serving Greater Boston, I incorporated the nonprofit REquipment Inc. with the full name “REquipment Durable Medical Equipment & Assistive Technology Reuse Program.” We needed a nonprofit to have a way to raise private dollars as well as manage an anticipated state contract. The name reflected our goal to expand to assistive technology. With support from the legislature, REquipment became a statewide service in 2017. In October of 2023, we began providing assistive technology in addition to DME.

Now, it’s time for me to move on. Our Board of Directors has engaged Christine Griffin of Joyce Bender Consulting, and she began an executive director search last week. The Board is committed to finding the “right” person for the position and will leave the position open until we find that person. I have committed to working with the new ED for as long as needed to ensure a smooth transition. This program is too important to me and the community to do it any other way.

The Board is committed to finding the ‘right’ person for the position and will leave the position open until we find that person.

Highlights of the last eight years include statewide expansion and badly needed funding increases. The worst moment was the sudden passing of our beloved Program Director Jennifer Baker. Along the way, we survived the pandemic and rallied supporters during funding delays and budget season surprises. For me, every minute has been challenging, from juggling mundane administrative tasks to financial/fundraising and board development. But I loved it. I had the opportunity to forge relationships with local or regional reuse programs to become trusted partners, not competitors.

Thank you for your support over the last eight years. Your testimonials always lift me up. Also, our “top fans” on Facebook, always with a “heart,” sharing our message, or contacting legislators when we need to remind them how vital this program is that we’ve built together. Rest assured, I will stay involved, but in a different way. New leadership will bring the program to the next level.

Please share our job posting with interested candidates.

I’m here for months to come, and we will keep you updated as this transition unfolds.

Sincerely,

Karen Langley
Executive Director, REquipment, Inc.