Northwest Access Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and Certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) run by and for people with disabilities. Assistive technology such as hearing aids, mobility devices, and home modifications make a huge difference in an individual’s quality of life and independence.

Assistive technology is often not covered by health insurance, nor through government or other social service programs, and the grant programs that do exist are not sufficient to cover the community’s needs. This means that individuals and their families often need to find a way to self-fund assistive technology.  Northwest Access Fund was founded in order to provide an affordable option for people with disabilities and seniors, particularly those with financial barriers, to have a low-cost way of acquiring the technology they need.

You can read more about our history and why we exist here.

A world where all people with disabilities have access to the resources they need to fully participate and thrive in our communities.

Our Mission

We offer people with disabilities customized loans, financial coaching, and other resources to promote access to assistive technology, independence, financial resilience, and life opportunities.

Who We Serve

Northwest Access Fund serves people in Washington and Oregon:

• • • All ages
    • All incomes
    • All disabilities, health conditions, and functional limitations

Our Programs

• • • We provide low-interest loans for people with disabilities and seniors to purchase assistive technology.
    • We offer financial coaching services, including one-on-one financial coaching and group workshops, designed to meet the needs of people with disabilities with low-incomes or accessing social security benefits.
    • We maintain up-to-date resources relevant to people with disabilities in Washington and Oregon.

Our People

• • We are run by a dedicated Board of Directors.
  • We have five full-time and two part-time staff members.
  • We reach hundreds of people with disabilities throughout Washington and Oregon every year—meet some of our clients.

Our Core Operating Values

Impact: We are focused and driven to deliver effective services.

Respect: We respond with compassion, creativity, and kindness to reduce barriers while upholding the dignity of those we serve.

Community-driven: We are led by people with disabilities for people with disabilities, and design solutions for diverse communities, perspectives, experiences, and circumstances.

Person-centered: We recognize that everyone has unique circumstances and collaborate with individuals, families, and other organizations to support access to community resources.

Our Guiding Beliefs

We believe:

• • In the life-changing impact of assistive technology and financial stability.
  • Everyone should have affordable access to assistive technology.
  • People with disabilities face institutional, attitudinal, and financial barriers that limit life opportunities.
  • People with disabilities are not a uniform population and many face intersectional barriers, particularly in relation to race, ethnicity, and gender.