FODAC is a statewide provider of Durable medical

equipment and has issued over 19,000

wheelchairs since 1986. 45 states and 65 countries

have received some equipment over those years.

FODAC is bridging the gap for people with

disabilities of all types and ages through:

• • • Durable medical equipment - wheelchairs and mobility aids

    • Ramps for Champs – home access ramps and modifications

    • ReMount – wheelchair and scooter lifts for vehicles          

FODAC: www.fodac.org

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FODAC began in a residential home and used basic repair methods for mostly manual wheelchairs; recreational outings were a part of their outreach. The first support came from the founders local church. The only capital asset was an adapted cargo van.

Other services were soon offered:

• • • Transportation

    • Computer program

    • Vocational training

    • More advanced repair capacity for power chairs.

    • Disposable items

    • National and International supplies

FODAC: www.fodac.org

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Capacity for more types of services and programs became available as the operation grew into larger and larger spaces.

Each move leveraged a different leader in the process.

1. 1. 1. A new storage building (church)

      2. A small business building (corporations)

      3. A larger business building (foundation)

      4. 65,000 sq. ft. today (mortgage)

FODAC: www.fodac.org

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FODAC is a 501c3 and does not have direct funding from Medicare/Medicaid for the services offered. Most issued equipment is for a suggested donation but some services have mandatory fees.

The operating support is as follows:

Government: 27%

Thrift Store 19%

Corporations: 18%

Individuals: 16%

Foundations: 11%

Other: 4%

Churches: 3%

FODAC: www.fodac.org

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Durable Medical Equipment

• • • FODAC provides wheelchairs, scooters, bathroom

aids, hospital beds, walkers, quad canes, and a host

of other items such as standers, corner chairs and

numerous other therapeutic aids.

• • • FODAC has collection sites around Atlanta and

nearby cities that collect used DME. FODAC picks

up these donations from local rehab hospitals, DME

companies, and homes. Equipment is checked out,

cleaned by staff and volunteers, and issued to

clients who have no benefits or who have to wait for

benefits from Medicare/Medicaid.

• • • FODAC averages over 3000 clients served each year, some with multiple items.

FODAC: www.fodac.org

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Client Relations protocol

Matching of equipment

Limitations (seating issues)

Waiting lists

Benefits research

Driver protocol

Drop off sites

Scheduling routes

Storage and Facility Layout

FODAC: www.fodac.org

Volunteers

Grants

Space

Community Partnerships

Data Collection (forms)

Remount

Ramps

Power shop

Manual shop

Repairs

Tools

Sustainability

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STAR Network

FODAC has benefited from having a good working relationship with the higher tech AT partner, TTF.

Our original goal was to assist other communities with the knowledge of how to create partnerships and find resources to get an ongoing Reuse program started.

The Depot Directors work together on planning new outreach centers.

FODAC: www.fodac.org

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Things we’ve learned:

Long distance partnerships involve unique training.

Make sure outreach centers want to grow into a stand alone ReUse center.

Don’t skimp on training outreach centers in person and with hand outs (modules).

Plan for growth and sustainability in the program.

FODAC: www.fodac.org

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Things we’ve learned:

Ask the outreach center to split donations 50/50 when refurbished equipment is coming from the Depots.

Provide a canned program for replication including marketing materials.

Respect the organizational differences and philosophy.

FODAC: www.fodac.org

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Things we’ve learned:

Work with partners that have capacity to or plan to incorporate DME and computer distribution.

Have clearly defined roles for your team.

FODAC: www.fodac.org