• Programs for children with disabilities can be very costly for low-income families.children image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
  
  Children with disabilities endure obstacles that most people will never experience in their lifetime. According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), there are 14 categories of disabilities for children. These conditions include, blindness, autism, deafness, mental retardation and behavioral impairment. Many children with disabilities have to attend special education and recreational programs in order to participate in society. Some programs for children with disabilities may be very costly for low-income families. There are government and private grants that support education, mobility, behavioral and recreational concerns of children living with disabilities.
  
  

Special Education Preschool Grants

• Special Education Preschool Grants were formed to help preschool children with disabilities from the ages of 3 to 5 attend preschool. These grants are given to states to fund programs that will incorporate disabled preschool children in learning environments. The grants provide funding for occupational therapy, salaries, any special equipment needed, speech-language pathology services, parent counseling and training, and other services. The grant award given to states must distribute much of the funds to local education agencies who operate in low-income regions. These grants are only awarded to state agencies with preschool programs. To apply, applicants must download an application from the website. Applications are submitted to the U.S. Department of Education and will be contacted on the status of their application.
  
  U.S. Department of Education, OSERS
  
  Office of Special Education Programs
  
  400 Maryland Ave., S.W., Rm. 4176, PCP
  
  Washington, DC 20202-2600
  
  202- 245-7553
  
  www.ed.gov
  
  

Kaitlin Marie Bell Foundation Inc.

• wheelchairs image by Gina Smith from Fotolia.com
  
  The Kaitlin Marie Bell Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provide financial assistance to children living with disabilities. Many disabled families cannot afford special equipment for their children due to high costs and lack of coverage by most insurance companies. The Bell foundation has taken the initiative to help provide families with the equipment needed to better the lives of disabled children. Applicants must be under the age of 21, provide financial statements showing economic hardship and provide a denial letter from insurance company rejecting coverage. An application can be filled out and submitted online for consideration. Once your application has been submitted, the board will meet to vote on the outcome. You will receive notification of acceptance or denial of your application.
  
  The Kaitlin Marie Bell Foundation Inc.
  
  8966 Dolby Road
  
  Seaford, DE 19973
  
  302- 629-5493
  
  

Disabled Children's Relief Fund

• Disabled Children's Relief Fund is a nonprofit organization that awards small grants to children who live with disabilities. This grant help children obtain lifts, wheelchairs, walkers, orthopedic braces, eyeglasses, hearing aids, medical equipment and physical therapy. Grants are awarded to children who cannot afford to obtain this equipment due to low-income and rejection of coverage by their insurance companies. This grant is award on an individual basis, so parents can apply on the behalf of their child. Applications can be downloaded online through the website. Applicants are only allowed to apply once and year, and must submit a doctor's referral, parent signature and cost estimate of request with the application. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application.
  
  Disabled Children's Relief Fund
  
  P.O. Box 89
  
  Freeport, New York 11520
  
  516-377-1605
  
  www.dcrf.com