Who qualifies

To qualify, you must:

  • be an Ontario resident
  • have a valid Ontario health card
  • be unable to speak (or your speech is very hard to understand)
  • be unable to use a pen and paper to write due to physical disability

We do not consider your income.

Who does not qualify

You do not qualify, if:

  • you already qualify for or are receiving financial support from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board for the same communication aid(s)
  • you are a Group “A” veteran and already qualify for or are receiving financial support from Veterans Affairs Canada for the same communication aid(s)

Types of communication aids covered

Through the Assistive Devices Program (ADP), we help cover the cost of:

  • voice prosthetics, voice amplifiers, and electrolarynges
  • communication display boards
  • writing aids
  • quick messaging devices
  • speech generating devices
  • assistive technology software and hardware for writing aids and speech generating devices
  • mounting systems for communication aids

We do not cover the costs of:

  • anti-stuttering devices
  • call bells
  • environmental control units
  • telephones (regular and adaptive)

Replacements

You can apply for a replacement if:

  • your medical condition has changed and the equipment no longer meets your needs
  • the equipment is worn out, no longer covered by warranty and cannot be repaired at a reasonable cost

We do not cover costs to replace lost communication aid(s) or repairs to communication aid(s) damaged through misuse or neglect.

How much is covered

The ADP sets the prices that registered businesses can charge for communication aids. When setting these prices, the ADP considers:

  • manufacturer’s and/or distributor’s costs
  • complexity of the device

A registered business can’t charge you more than the ADP price for the approved device. 

The ADP-registered business will bill the ADP directly for 75% of the cost of your communication aid. You must pay the remaining 25%. 

For some types of communication aids, we cover 75% of the cost up to a maximum amount:

  • up to $3,993.75 over 3 years for voice restoration and speaking valves
  • up to $990 over 3 years for stoma filters (foam overlays used to limit the inhalation of dust, fumes, or vapours and to warm inhaled air) and supplies

Getting 100% coverage

The ADP covers 100% of the cost (or up to 100% of the maximum amount), if you receive financial support from one of these programs:

If you’re applying for the first time

If this is your first application to the ADP for a communication aid, you must be examined by your family doctor or a nurse practitioner. They will determine whether or not you require a communication aid for everyday tasks and activities due to a long-term disability.

Based on the examination, your doctor or nurse practitioner will refer you to a speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist registered with the ADP.

Apply for communication aids

Follow these 4 steps to apply for help covering the cost of a communication aid:

Step 1 – Get examined by a speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist

If you need help finding a speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist, email us at adp@ontario.ca. 

During the examination, the speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist will fill out their part of the ADP application form and advise you on the equipment best suited to your needs.

If the speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist decides that you need an advanced type of communication aid (for example, a high-tech speech generating device, a specialized computer system, or a communication display board), they will refer you to a communications clinic registered with the ADP.

Step 2 – Find a business that sells communication aids

The business must be registered with the ADP. Use the table below to find one. Your speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist can help you.

 

You can also lease your equipment from a communications clinic registered with the ADP if your communication needs are expected to change during the 1 year after your assessment. This may be due to a degenerative disorder.

Find out more about leasing communication aids from the Centralized Equipment Pool (CEP). Leases are arranged with the CEP by communication aids clinics registered with ADP.

In some cases, you can also buy the communication aid from a non-registered business.

Step 3 – Visit the business to confirm the aid you need

Staff will help you pick the communication aid that’s right for you – and fill in the business’s part of the form.

Step 4 – Submit the completed form

The registered business will help you complete the application form and will electronically submit the completed form to the ADP.

What happens next

We aim to review your application within 8 weeks of receiving it.

If your application has been denied, you will receive a letter from us telling you the reason for the denial and how you can follow up, including appealing our decision.

It is important to follow steps 1 to 4 above before purchasing your communication aid(s). If you order or buy your communication aid(s) before these steps have been completed, you will be responsible for paying the full cost.

If your application is approved

If your application is approved, we will notify the business and your occupational therapist/speech-language pathologist.

They will contact you to let you know of our decision, and to arrange a time for the communication aid(s) to be delivered to you (if not already provided).

When you get your communication aid(s), you must pay your 25% share. We pay our share to the business directly. You must also pay for any options you chose to purchase. Be sure to ask how much you will be responsible for.

Buying from a non-registered business

You can buy a communication aid from a non-registered business, and still get the 75% coverage through the ADP, when either:

  • you need high-technology equipment and there’s no registered business within 100km of where you live
  • you are only purchasing a computer (including monitor and printer)
  • you are only purchasing voice restoration or speaking valves

To buy from a non-registered business, follow these steps:

  1. Pay the full cost of the communication aid up front. Remember: it can’t cost more than the ADP price.
  2. Complete the application form. You have to do this within 1 year of the date you were assessed by the speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist. Applications received after 1 year will be declined.

  3. Send the completed form to the ADP by:

    Email: adp@ontario.ca

    Fax: 416-327-8192

    Mail: Assistive Devices Program
    5700 Yonge Street, 7th Floor   
    Toronto, Ontario M2M 4K5

  4. We aim to review your application within 8 weeks. Within a week of completing our review you will receive a letter by mail giving the application status and your file number – which you need to invoice for reimbursement.

  5. Print a copy of the approval letter, attach your receipts signed and marked paid in full and send to:

    Ministry of Healt
    Financial Management Branch
    Program Payments Unit
    P.O. Box 48, 49 Place d’Armes, 2nd Floor   
    Kingston, Ontario K7L 5J3

Getting reimbursed

We will reimburse you directly for 75% of the device’s ADP price, within 4 weeks of when we receive your invoice.

You can have payments directly deposited into your bank account. Fill out and submit this form to us to set up direct deposit.

Otherwise, payments will be made by cheque mailed to you. Payment by direct deposit is faster, more secure, and less likely to be delayed by factors outside of ADP’s control.