There are so many things out there. What one person says may not be the right advice. Even if you find a piece of equipment in good condition at the right price, it'll be useless unless it suits your needs and abilities. For instance, some communications technology requires good use of hands and some doesn't. Anticipate how your abilities may change and whether you'll be able to use a secondhand item long enough to make the purchase worthwhile.
Insurance generally covers an initial evaluation by a speech, physical or occupational therapist.
With the therapist's more detailed advice, you can ask your doctor to include specifications in your prescription. Tapper warns that, if you buy a used wheelchair, you may have to pay for it, then get reimbursed by insurance. To avoid problems, you should have a dated prescription written before you make your purchase. When he found the used power chair he wanted, Tapper first obtained a bank loan to cover it. So with the dated prescription, down the road I was able to deal with the insurance company.