Diane DeAngelis, AAPD's Director of Marketing and Member Services <dianedeangelis@earthlink.net>, shares the following information:

Members of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) can join the Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) to take advantage of this new loan product. Access Loans are now available for any product, device, or building modification designed to assist someone with a disability. Borrow from $1,500 to $25,000 or more for up to 72 months with no downpayment required. The borrower need not be the beneficiary of the purchase. Qualified purchases include, but are not limited to:

• Powered-non-vehicle transportation such as scooters, power wheelchairs, stair-climbing power chairs, all-terrain wheelchairs.
• Manual transportation such as standard manual wheelchairs, custom sport wheelchairs, and specialized hand cycles.
• Adaptive computer and communications equipment such as air tube systems for spinal cord injuries, voice systems for the blind, educational and rehabilitation systems for children and adults.
• Durable medical equipment such as slings for lifting paraplegics and quadriplegics, breathing systems, specialized beds.
• Rehabilitative equipment such as motorized equipment that exercises muscles and limbs
• Accessible building modifications such as bathroom and kitchen accessibility, ramp installation and widening doorways.

Mobility Vehickle Loans Also Available From DCU

If you have a disability, there are several types of modified vehicles on the market to help you get around.

Unfortunately, lift-equipped vans, vehicles with hand controls, and other modifications can be very expensive. DCU can help make them more affordable by spreading the cost over time. The borrower need not be the beneficiary of the purchase.

You may open a Mobility Vehicle Loan from $5,000 to $100,000 and take up to 120 months to repay.

DCU offers convenient repayment methods, including electronically, at a DCU ATM, at any DCU branch, or by mail with a loan payment coupon. If you direct deposit your net pay, Social Security, or pension into your DCU Checking Account and make electronic payments for the full term of your loan, your interest rate will be 1/2% below that for other payment methods. Rates are also based on your personal credit history.

Join AAPD so you can take advantage of DCU's financial benefits. There is no fee to join the credit union; all you have to do is open a savings or checking account for as little as $5.00. If you are already an AAPD member, or if you would like to join AAPD and DCU at the same time, you can call DCU directly for further information and an application at 800-328-8797 (800-395-5146 TTY). Or visit DCU's website at www.dcu.org for further information and applications.