AAT Program (Adaptive Equipment / Assistive Technology / Therapy Treatment)

AAT Program

Adaptive Equipment
Assistive Technology
Therapy Treatment

What Is the AAT Program & What Do We Fund?

The Robbie Foundation’s Adaptive Equipment, Assistive Technology & Therapy (AAT) Program provides financial assistance for children and young adults with developmental disabilities who need equipment, technology, or therapy services that are not covered by insurance or MaineCare.

Funding is intended to support items and services that:

Maximize growth, independence, and development
Support learning, mobility, communication, and daily living
Create a safer, more comfortable, and more enjoyable home or learning environment

We fund adaptive equipment, assistive technology, and therapy treatments based on medical necessity, urgency, and available funds.

View a list of items and services typically funded by the Robbie Foundation:

Equipment: (safety needs)

Safety Beds
Hoyer lifts/ceiling track
Safety Gaits/Bars
Conversion van lifts/chair lift
Bathing/Toileting Seats
Secondary Mobility Wheelchairs
Neck Supports
Portable Ramps
Wheelchair Ramps
Rolling Mattresses/Wedges/Adaptive Pillows
Changing Tables
Adaptive Car Seats
Yard Fences
Security Systems/Monitors
Safety Harnesses

Equipment: (quality of life)

Adaptive Tricycles (Trikes)
Adaptive Swings
Sensory Equipment/Weighted Blankets & Vests
Therapy Equipment
Mobility Devices
Adaptive Strollers
Sound blocking Headphones

Technology:

Communication Systems & Accessories
iPads
GPS Tracking Devices
Adaptive Software Applications
Security Monitors

Therapy:

Therapeutic Massage
Hippo-treatment (horseback riding therapy)
Aqua-therapy (swim)
Music Therapy
Dance Therapy
Art Therapy
Alternative Therapies

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for funding, the applicant must meet all of the following criteria:

Have a documented developmental disability or diagnosis
Be birth to 20 years of age at the time of application
Be a resident of the state of Maine

Applications that do not meet these eligibility requirements will not be reviewed.

Deadlines & Decisions

The Robbie Foundation is a volunteer-run organization. Applications are reviewed quarterly, with funding availability varying each cycle.

Quarterly Application Deadlines:

January 5
April 5*
July 5
October 5

*Any requests related to summer activities or programs must be submitted by April 5.

Decision Timeline:

Applications are reviewed following each deadline
Funding decisions are typically made 2–3 weeks after the submission deadline

How You Will Hear From Us:

You will be contacted only if your application is approved
Notifications are sent by the end of the month following the deadline
Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to respond to status inquiries

If you do not hear from us within one month of the decision period, your application was not approved. You may reapply during the next submission cycle.

Prep Work & What to Gather Before Starting the Application

Please review these requirements carefully before beginning. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Before you start, gather the following:

General and contact information for the child and family
Relevant medical and diagnostic information
A quote or estimate for the item or service being requested
An insurance or MaineCare denial letter, if applicable
Three (3) letters of recommendation

Letters of Recommendation Requirements

Each application must include three separate letters of recommendation, each from one of the following professionals:

Medical professional
Case worker
Social worker
Therapist
Teacher

Each letter must:

Be written by a different professional
Address the child’s diagnosis from the writer’s area of expertise
Be dated within the last 12 months
Be signed and on professional letterhead when possible

Letters must include:

Child’s full name and identifying information
Child’s diagnosis
Writer’s relationship to the child
Whether the item or service has been trialed and the results (if applicable)
How the requested item or service will benefit the child
Any additional information that supports the funding request

Please note:

Office visit notes do not qualify as letters of recommendation
If you are reapplying, all letters must be signed and dated within 6–12 months of your most recent application

Helpful Tips Before You Apply

Applications are online only; paper applications are not accepted

You may save your application and return later — be sure to save each page before moving forward
Keep a record of your username and password; Robbie Foundation cannot retrieve this information for you
Accepted document formats include PDF, JPG, and Word files
Applications that do not reach the final confirmation page are not considered submitted
Please save or print a copy of your completed application for your records

Important Funding Notes

We do not reimburse for items or therapies already purchased or completed
Funds are not distributed directly to individuals
Requests for items typically covered by insurance or MaineCare require a denial letter to be considered

Please read all instructions carefully before beginning the application process to ensure your submission can be fully reviewed.