About
the SDF

What the Southern Disability Foundation Does

An SDF Loan Makes Independence Affordable

The program is an Alternative Financing Program for individuals with disabilities and their families to borrow money at a low-interest or extended-terms for the purchase of assistive technology, adaptive equipment and related services. Alternative financing needs may include but will not be limited to a means of paying for devices not covered by public programs, as a means of providing a loan sooner than other public programs, and/or a means of having another funding source available.

The Program’s Mission is to allow individuals with disabilities and their family members, guardians, advocates, and authorized representatives to acquire and purchase assistive technology devices and services through the establishment and administration of Alabama’s Assistive Technology Alternative Financing Program.

Alabama’s Alternative Finance Program for individuals with disabilities and their families allows applicants to borrow money at low interest or extended terms for the purchase of assistive technology, adaptive equipment and related services. Alternative financing needs may include but will not be limited to a means of paying for devices not covered by public programs, of providing a loan sooner than other public programs, and/or of having another funding source available.

See Our Board of Directors
Services We Help Provide

Services covered by the program are:

Assessment or evaluation of individual’s needs

Purchasing, leasing, or providing for the acquisition of the AT devices

Training or technical assistance for individuals with disabilities and/or family when appropriate

Coordinating and using therapies, interventions, or services with AT devices such as those associated with education, rehab plans, etc.

Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing AT devices

Why Work with the Southern Disability Foundation?

Outlined are a few reasons why our partners choose to work with the SDF rather than attempt to garner a loan through traditional means. The Southern Disability Foundation is here to help.

SDF Loan

  • having low credit scores may not be a disqualifying factor

  • pre-existing conditions do not present a barrier to loan acceptance

  • lower interest rates make loan repayment significantly easier

  • extended term programs provide more time to repay the loan

  • loans assist with the purchase of all types of assistive devices, AT like vehicles, powerchairs, lifts, home modifications, hearing aids

Traditional Loan

  • must meet credit score and underwriting criterion

  • pre-existing conditions may disqualify you from loan acceptance

  • high interest rates for low credit loans

  • short term loans must be repaid quickly before entering default

  • certain devices and programs only available through public programs

A Helping Hand

Southern Disability Foundation, Inc. (SDF) was incorporated on August 6, 1996 to serve as the community-based organization to capitalize a low interest, extended-terms loan fund to enable Alabama’s citizens with disabilities to access and acquire assistive technology, adaptive equipment, and services. The SDF Board works to fully capitalize the loan fund, manage and invest the funds, solicit and approve loan applications, and enter into required agreements with a financial institution and the state’s Assistive Technology Resource (STAR). In May 2005 SDF entered into an agreement with AuburnBank to serve as the lending institution to implement the loan fund.