Virginia Reuse Network (VRN)

Do you have a piece of assistive technology that is not being used, such as a manual or power wheelchair, bath tub bench, shower chair, hospital bed, walker, or any other devices that might be of use to an individual with a disability or someone who is aging? Or, do you need assistive technology, but cannot afford to buy what you need? If so, “Reuse” is a solution.

Reusing assistive technology (AT) is a way to make AT more available, especially for those who have no public or private health insurance and who don’t have the resources necessary to purchase the equipment they need. Members of the community donate equipment, no longer in use, to a reuse program where items are sanitized, repaired, refurbished, matched and redistributed, at no cost, to eligible individuals who can use it.

History (VATNet): In 2006, Virginia Assistive Technology System (VATS) received one of twelve 3-year grants from the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) to develop a Model AT reuse program across Virginia for persons who do not have the means to purchase AT through their healthcare insurance or private funds. Seed monies were used to develop and expand durable medical equipment (DME) reuse programs statewide.

Current (VRN): In late 2009, VATS awarded the Foundation For Rehabilitation Equipment and Endowment (F.R.E.E.) a grant award to provide community-based assistive technology reutilization services for persons with disabilities throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. The FREE Foundation, based out of Roanoke, Virginia, is a non-profit agency that has been assisting persons with disabilities acquire gently used rehabilitation equipment for more than ten years. The FREE Foundation’s recycling program accepts donations of gently used rehabilitation equipment and distributes this equipment to qualifying individuals with disabilities, primarily those who are uninsured or underinsured. The FREE Foundation will use the grant funds to expand its community-based assistive technology (AT) / durable medical equipment (DME) recycling programs to more effectively serve persons with spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, Veterans with disabilities and vocational rehabilitation participants. Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center will play a vital role in Year 2 of the grant bringing their significant expertise in service delivery to people with spinal cord injury (SCI) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The following Virginia Reuse Network (VRN) programs and affiliates are operating in Virginia:

Foundation for Rehabilitation Equipment & Endowment
(F.R.E.E.) Corporate Office
Contact: Sonja Schaible
PO Box 8873
Roanoke, VA 24014
Phone: (540) 777-4929
E-Mail: sonja@free-foundation.org

F.R.E.E. at Goodwill of the Valleys
1493 E. Main Street
Salem, VA   24153
Phone: 540-777-4929
E-Mail: sonja@free-foundation.org

F.R.E.E. of Northern Shenandoah Valley/Winchester
Winchester Rehabilitation Center
333 W. Cork Street
Winchester, VA 22601
Phone: 540-664-7552

F.R.E.E. of Northern Virginia
540-777-4929
E-Mail: tracy@free-foundation.org

F.R.E.E. Lynchburg
2511 Memorial Ave., Ste 106
Lynchburg, VA 24501
Phone: 434-846-3733

F.R.E.E. Martinsville/Henry County
51 Lester Street
Martinsville, VA 24112
Phone: (540) 777-4929
E-Mail: tracy@free-foundation.org

F.R.E.E. New River Valley
Giles Memorial Hospital
1 Heather Avenue
Pearisburg, VA  23143
Phone: 540-921-6887
E-Mail: cwestbrook@carilion.com

PD 6 Equipment Recycling Network
Department of Rehabilitative Services
292 Woodrow Wilson Avenue
Fishersville, VA 22939-1500
540-332-7706
Email:George.Drummond@drs.virginia.gov
Contact: George Drummond

Recycled Equipment and Devices Donated for Independence (REDDI)
Clinch Independent Living Services
1139C Plaza Dr.
Grundy, VA 24614
276-935-6088
http://www.cils-online.org
Email: cils@vzavenue.net
Contact: Deborah Rose or William Hess

For additional information, please contact Barclay Shepard, Virginia Assistive Technology System, at (757) 309-1079.

* The Virginia Reuse Network (VRN) grant is supported by several funding sources, including the Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative (CNI), American Recovery and Reinvest Act (ARRA), and the Assistive Technology Act.