Kentucky supports five centers that provided 1,608 equipment loans and provided information and other resources to 10,906 individuals in 1996. The Montana Tech Act project encouraged the collaboration of several programs that loan equipment so they could form one Statewide short-term equipment loan program that now affects approximately 11,500 people with disabilities in the State. Loan Procedures Centers offer short-term loans to persons who have disabilities and who wish to try different types of devices. These loans are for periods ranging from 1 day to 6 months, but the loans generally are for 2 weeks to 1 month. In the case of a replacement loan made to a user whose own equipment is on order or is being repaired or modified, loans are made, if possible, for the period of time that the user is without his or her own equipment.
Many programs provide equipment to the borrower free of charge.
A few programs have nominal charges to cover maintenance of the equipment and overhead costs. These fees may be waived if the individual has a financial hardship and is not eligible for assistance from another source. Distribution of the loaned equipment varies from center to center. Often the borrower from the loan center will pick up the equipment personally. If the center serves a small geographic area, free delivery may be offered.