Living with a disability or having a loved one with a disability or special needs can be challenging. It can also prove to be very expensive, especially if you factor in costs, such as medical equipment, therapy tools, and medicine.
We understand that you want to provide your loved ones with nothing but the best. To help you out, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of discounts, grants, and free stuff for people with disabilities. Our list covers offers for adults and kids. We’ve included deals for persons with intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, permanent disabilities, and cognitive disabilities.
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Tip: If you have a deal that would be a good fit for this article, please submit your deal here.
1-800-Charity Cars:1-800-Charity Cars provides struggling families with donated vehicles. The donated vehicles benefit military veterans, struggling families, survivors of domestic violence, and persons with medical needs.
Free Charity Cars:Free Charity Cars provides families and individuals in need with free vehicles. Beneficiaries include families with low income and people who have a medical disability and are in need of transportation.
Disability Travel Discounts
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Tip: Various airlines, such as American Airlines & Delta Air Lines, and cruise lines, such as Carnival & Royal Caribbean, offer special services (accessible seats, support, and assistive devices) for individuals with special needs or disabilities.
Check with your airline or cruise line of choice to view their guidelines and eligibility requirements, as these can vary across providers.
accessibleGO:accessibleGO is a unique travel platform that offers discounts for people with disabilities. Through clubGO, its exclusive travel club, members can enjoy up to 60% off on participating hotels, resorts, and more.
Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Alex’s Lemonade Stand funds pediatric cancer research, but it also has a Travel for Care Program that provides financial support, enabling families who need to travel to receive treatment for their child to offset their travel costs.
Angel Flight:Angel Flight features pilots who volunteer their services to families who have members with special needs. They provide free air transport to eligible individuals or groups, enabling them access to medical care, which would otherwise be difficult to access under normal circumstances.
Believe in Tomorrow: The Believe in Tomorrow Children’s Foundation provides housing and accommodation services to families with critically ill children. It has a hospital housing program and a respite housing program with six facilities that provide beach getaways and mountain escapes for children and their families.
Oracle Health Foundation: The Oracle Health Foundation provides financial assistance to families who have children with medical or special needs. Expenses covered by the grants include treatment, equipment, displacement, and vehicle modifications.
Epilepsy Foundation: The Epilepsy Foundation, through its J. Kiffin Penry Patient Travel Assistance Fund, provides individuals with medical or special needs with financial assistance that covers the cost of travel, so they can receive specialized care.
National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS): The National Children’s Cancer Society provides a broad range of support to children with cancer and their families. The organization provides a Transportation Assistance Fund to families to help offset travel and lodging costs for their child’s treatment.
Disability Transportation Discounts
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Tip: Different states offer varying public transportation discounts for people with disabilities. Check your local transit agency or transport system to learn more about their offers and eligibility requirements.
Amtrak:Amtrak provides discounts for both adults and children with disabilities. For adults, you can get a 10% discount, while kids can claim a 50% discount on top of the 10% discount on the children’s fare. Furthermore, passengers with disabilities who are traveling on Downeaster trains may receive a 50% discount. A 10% discount will also be given to individuals who are traveling with a person with a disability as their companion. See more Amtrak deals.
Free Car & Truck Rental Services for Disabled People
Avis: Avis has the Avis Cares Program, which provides special products and services, such as a transfer board and swivel seat, to customers with disabilities or special needs. See more Avis deals.
Budget: Similar to Avis, Budget also offers services for people with disabilities. These include providing assistive and adaptive devices and hand controls at no additional cost. Restrictions apply. See more Budget deals.
Other Rental Services: Other rental services that provide special services, such as providing accessible parking services, wheelchair-accessible rentals, and adaptive driving devices, to individuals with special needs or disabilities include Dollar Rent-A-Car, Enterprise, Hertz, and Mobility Works.
Mobility Rebates
It’s worth noting that several car companies offer rebates to people with disabilities on mobility or accessibility equipment, such as lifts, ramps, lumbar support, running boards, and hearing devices.
Audi:Audi offers a mobility subsidy of up to $1,500 for hand controls and other eligible equipment.
Ford:Ford has its own accessibility program that offers a reimbursement of up to $1,000 on eligible adaptive equipment or a rebate of up to $200 for the following: alert hearing devices, lumbar support, or running boards.Â
General Motors: General Motors has an Accessibility Adaptive Equipment Program in which you can receive up to $1,500 when you add eligible equipment to your new Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac or GMC vehicle. Plus, you can receive two years of OnStar coverage and services, which come with access to in-vehicle Wi-Fi Hotspot.
Lexus: Lexus has Lexus Mobility, a program that offers reimbursement assistance of up to $1,000 for eligible equipment. Moreover, they provide flexible, extended-term financing of up to 84 months for both the vehicle and the adaptive equipment.
Other Car Companies: Other car companies that offer rebates of up to $1,000 on the cost of eligible adaptive equipment or conversion include Nissan, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Subaru, and Volvo.
Car Insurance for People with Special Needs
It can be difficult to find auto insurance discounts for persons with disabilities, as most car insurance providers don’t offer such services. Modifying vehicles to accommodate your disability may even inflate your insurance rates, given that you need to purchase additional coverage for your custom equipment.
Given the difficulty of looking for insurance providers that offer unique discounts, you may be hard-pressed to find the right provider. Note that any physical or mental disability can’t be used by car insurance companies as a basis for calculating your premiums. You won’t be subjected to higher rates, but you also won’t likely be given preferential treatment or discounts.
But the good news is, you can still enjoy auto insurance discounts that are available to persons with disabilities. These include similar discounts on auto insurance that people without disabilities can receive, such as bundling, safe driver discounts, discounts for good students, and veteran or first responder discounts.
To help you with your search for car insurance for drivers with disabilities, you can use The Zebra, which is an insurance search engine that lets you compare and look for car insurance quotes from some of the country’s top insurance providers.
Bookshare:Bookshare provides people with print disabilities access to its online library. Its reading materials come in various formats, including audio, braille, and large font.
Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation (BRPF): Students with neurological disorders or individuals who have parents suffering from neurological disorders (spinal cord injury-related disorders) can apply for scholarships or research grants from the Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation.
Microsoft: The Microsoft Disability Scholarship awards high school seniors with disabilities who are planning to attend a vocational or academic college with up to $5,000 annually for up to four consecutive years. The scholarship will be available starting January 22, 2024, and applications must be submitted by March 15, 2024. See more Microsoft deals.
National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD): The National Center for Learning Disabilities offers annual scholarships and awards, one of which is the Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship, which awards students with a learning disability and/or ADHD with a $2,500 grant for four years. Apply by April 13, 2024.
National Federation of the Blind (NFB): Students who are diagnosed to be legally blind in both eyes can apply for a scholarship under the National Federation of the Blind. Apply by March 31, 2024.
Health Discounts
Government Health Insurance for Disabled People
Medicaid: Medicaid provides people with disabilities with free or low-cost medical benefits. If you qualify for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI), then you may be eligible to qualify for Medicaid. Aside from SSI, other optional pathways for eligibility include poverty level, working people with disabilities, and special income levels, among others.
Medicare: If you’re under 65 years of age and have certain disabilities, or if you have end-stage renal disease or Lou Gehrig’s disease, then you may be eligible to qualify for Medicare. To check for eligibility, application requirements, and coverage, visit the US government’s official website.
Affordable Care Act: The Affordable Care Act is an option for individuals who don’t qualify for Medicaid or other disability benefits but still need health coverage. It provides people in need with greater access to a host of affordable health insurance options. Learn more about when and how to enroll and how you can use your coverage by visiting the USA.gov website.
Therapy Tools & Mobility Aids for Disabled People
1800Wheelchair: 1800Wheelchair provides free shipping on all orders over $59 and exclusive offers on wheelchairs, powerchairs, scooters, and medical supplies. See more 1800Wheelchair deals.
Adaptive Sports Foundation: The Adaptive Sports Foundation offers sponsorship opportunities for children and adults with cognitive and physical disabilities. The sponsorship includes virtual adaptive fitness programs and winter snow sports programs.
Challenged Athletes Foundation: The Challenged Athletes Foundation is offering several grants for people with disabilities. These programs include sport expense grant requests, equipment requests, and athletic prosthetics requests, among other benefits.
Chanda Center for Health: The Chanda Center for Health offers regular wheelchair repair clinics, as well as a broad range of free virtual classes that tackle topics, such as nutrition, wound care, and more.
Especial Needs: Especial Needs is offering special discounts such as: Up to 20% off select ball pits Up to 20% off tricycles Up to 15% off strollers and pushchairs Up to 10% off sensory room elements Up to 15% off standers Up to 10% off wall activity panels Up to 10% off spark sensory solutions Uo to 15% off seating Up to 15% off select gait trainers See more Especial Needs deals.
Getting Back Up:Getting Back Up is a program that provides financial assistance for people with disabilities, giving them access to adaptable devices and exercise-based recovery programs.
Kelly Brush Foundation: The Kelly Brush Foundation has an Active Fund grant that provides individuals who have been paralyzed due to spinal cord injury with adaptive sports equipment. The Fall Active Fund opens on July 1, 2024.
Med Mart: Med Mart has special promotions and deals all year round that let you save money on mobility products. For instance, now you can get 10% off sitewide with code april10off plus free shipping on orders 49.99 or more. See more Med Mart deals.
PAN Foundation: The PAN Foundation provides individuals in need, particularly underinsured persons, with the necessary medical or critical treatment.
Silverts: Silverts is offering special discounts on all adaptive clothing, footwear, and accessories, plus free regular shipping on orders over $50. See more Silverts deals.
Vitality Medical: Vitality Medical offers affordable prices for their medical supplies and medical equipment. For a limited time, you can save 10% on qualified orders with code VITALITY10. See more Vitality Medical deals and coupons.
CBD Discounts for Disabled People
C4 Healthlabs: Low-income, unemployed, or individuals with special needs can claim a 10% discount on CBD oil products from C4 Healthlabs. See more C4 Healthlabs deals.
cbdMD: cbdMD offers a 40% discount on all premium CBD products to all customers with disabilities. See more cbdMD deals.
Extract Labs: People with disabilities get 60% off on all CBD items at Extract Labs. See more Extract Labs deals.
Lazarus Naturals: Lazarus Naturals is offering 60% off CBD products to veterans, people with long-term disabilities, and persons with low income. Free shipping is also available on orders over $50. See more Lazarus Naturals deals.
NuLeaf Naturals: NuLeaf Naturals offers discounted prices on CBD oil through their Long-Term Disability Assistance Program. You can also get 10% off using our exclusive code DPF10. See more NuLeaf Naturals deals and coupons.
Entertainment Discounts
Disney Parks: Disney Parks have a new Disability Access Service (DAS), which is designed to accommodate guests who have disabilities and are unable to wait in conventional lines. Aside from DAS, Disney Parks also have other special services for persons with disabilities. These include Disney’s Handheld Device, which offers assistive listening and audio descriptions. They’ve also developed a guide for guests with cognitive disabilities. See more Disney Parks deals.
Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides individuals with disabilities accessibility services in the form of audio guides, booklets, and wheelchairs. Carers can enjoy free admission. See more Metropolitan Museum of Art deals.
Regal Movies: People with disabilities can enjoy their favorite films without having to worry about accessibility at Regal Cinemas. All Regal Entertainment Group theaters are accessible for persons who use a wheelchair or for persons with mobility or physical disability. Plus, companions of people with disabilities may be given free admission. See more Regal Movies deals.
San Diego Zoo: While guests with disabilities would still have to pay admission fees, the San Diego Zoo provides free admission to their companions (personal attendant or caregiver). See more San Diego Zoo deals.
Seattle Aquarium: The Seattle Aquarium offers a $2 discount on admission for people with disabilities. The aides or companions of people with disabilities are eligible for free admission.
Free Recreation Pass from USGS: The United States Geological Survey (USGS) offers an Access Pass to US citizens or permanent residents who have been medically determined to have a permanent disability. The Access Pass is a free, lifetime pass that provides access to over 2,000 recreation sites managed by US federal agencies, such as national parks and federal recreational areas. It has a $10 fee for document processing and comes with a hangtag and brochure.
ConnectHome: SSI and SSDI recipients living in HUD-assisted housing may be eligible for free broadband internet service under the ConnectHome Program. Currently, the service is limited to selected areas.
Danny’s Wish: Danny’s Wish awards iPads to children with autism. They accept applications from September 1 to December 31 every year. To be eligible, the individual you’re applying for must have a diagnosis that falls on the autism spectrum.
Other Disability Discounts & Grants
Amazon: Disabled people get 50% off on Amazon Prime with Medicaid or other qualifying government programs. See more Amazon deals.
Housing Aid for People with Disabilities
US Department of Health and Human Services: The US Department of Health & Human Services has the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that aims to assist families with their energy costs.
US Department of Energy: The US Department of Energy runs a Weatherization Assistance Program that aims to reduce energy costs and increase the energy efficiency of low-income households. The program prioritizes individuals who are over 60 years old or families that have one or more members with a disability.
Other US federal agencies: Department of Agriculture and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, provide low-income families, senior citizens, and people with disabilities financial assistance that allows them to secure housing or homeownership opportunities. Plus, the Benefits.gov website is a great resource for information on housing and public utilities. It has well-organized information that’s divided per state, so it’s easy for you to find the information you need according to your location.
Free Tax Return Preparation for People with Disabilities
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs, seeks to assist eligible individuals by offering them basic tax return preparation assistance free of charge. Qualified individuals include people with disabilities, low-income individuals, and taxpayers with limited English.
Service Animals & Pets Grants for People with Disabilities
Organizations and initiatives like the Assistance Dog United Campaign and BestFriends.org aim to bring people with disabilities and service animals together. The former provides financial assistance to individuals with disabilities, allowing them to afford a service animal. The latter provides resources and guides on pet assistance to people with disabilities.
Free Legal Help for People with Disabilities
Organizations, such as the National Disability Rights Network and Special Needs Alliance, provide individuals with special needs and people with disabilities legal representation and assist them in finding specialized attorneys in your area.
The US Department of Justice provides people with disabilities access to various disability rights laws.
Employment for People with Disabilities
BroadFutures: Young adults with disabilities can look for gainful opportunities for training, paid internships, and employment through BroadFutures.
Job Accommodation Network: The Job Accommodation Network provides free, expert, and confidential guidance with regard to job accommodation solutions to individuals with medical conditions or disabilities.
US Department of Labor (DOL): The US Department of Labor is an invaluable resource for persons with disabilities who are seeking assistance for training and employment. They also have an Employment and Training Administration (ETA) that offers grant programs for people with disabilities looking to find employment. The ETA provides access to training services, vocational rehabilitation services, and more to persons with disabilities through its Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program.
Social Security Disability Discounts
About: The government runs two Federal programs that have disability benefits. They’re administered by the Social Security Administration, and only individuals who have a disability and meet their requirements can qualify for either program. These are the Supplemental Security Income and the Social Security Disability Insurance, also known as SSI and SSDI, respectively. The former pays benefits based on your financial need, while the latter pays benefits to you and certain family members only if you are considered “insured.” This means that you’ve worked for a certain period and have been able to pay your Social Security taxes.
What each program covers: SSI benefits are funded by general tax revenues and cover the elderly, those with blindness, and people with disabilities who have no or low income. It’s financial assistance that enables them to meet their basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. SSDI covers people with disabilities who have a qualifying work history. The maximum benefit derived from the SSDI will be based on the applicant’s work history.
How to qualify: To qualify for disability benefits, you would need to apply for either program. Regardless of what you’re applying for, medical and other information will be collected. Moreover, you or your family member with a disability will be assessed to check whether or not you meet the SSA’s definition of disability. Note that, unlike other programs, Social Security will only pay for total disability and doesn’t include partial or short-term disability.
Disability Discounts FAQs
How to Qualify for Disability Discounts?
Many retail establishments offer discounts and freebies for people with disabilities. To qualify for disability discounts, bring your valid ID and proof of disability when you’re shopping. Veterans with disabilities may also be eligible to qualify for a whole host of benefits. These include VA medical benefits, VA home loans, VA education benefits, and access to exclusive discounts through the Military Discount Center. Requirements for the benefits and discounts for veterans with disabilities can vary.
How to Get Disability Discounts?
One of the best ways to learn more about how you can get freebies and discounts is by checking the websites of the country’s various federal departments and agencies. Other ways to find discounts for people with disabilities include:
Connecting with communities and social groups with apps.
Conducting a local search for organizations in your area that assist people with disabilities.
Signing up for newsletters on websites that specialize in helping people with special needs or disabilities.
Using specialty websites or search engines that cater specifically to the needs of people with disabilities, such as BenefitsCheckUp.org.
Staying up-to-date with the latest news thanks to websites, such as the Disability Scoop and Disabled World. The former specializes in developmental disability news, while the latter provides disability-related news.
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