North Dakota Association for the Disabled (NDAD)

Description

People with disabilities and health challenges may have trouble accessing the services and equipment they need. Rural people face additional challenges of living in communities without these services and may not have the finances or vehicle to travel to access care.

NDAD is a statewide organization, with 6 office locations serving 6 regions. The rural office locations are Dickinson, Minot, and Williston. NDAD serves North Dakotans and residents of neighboring border communities. If clients don't live in a community with an NDAD office, they can access direct financial assistance or be referred to another agency over the phone, email, or videoconferencing. Clients must come to an office to check out healthcare equipment or a van (available in the Grand Forks, Fargo, and Minot regions).

Services offered

• Accessible van loans
• Adaptive recreation resources (such as bowling, swimming, and sled hockey) and grants
• Information and referrals
• Autism Spectrum Assistance Program, which helps children and adults with autism with medical travel expenses, respite services, and equipment when no other payment option is available through local, state, or federal programs
• Community Fundraisers, which help provide funds generated by community members on behalf of a person with a health challenge
• Escape to the Lake, an annual event where people with disabilities can participate in adaptive water skiing and pontoon rides, eat a picnic lunch, and watch a water skiing performance
• Financial assistance programs for prescription assistance, medical equipment and supplies, accessibility, medical travel assistance, personal attendant care, paratransit, and recreational activities
• Healthcare Equipment Loan Program (HELP), in which participants, including those recovering from an injury, can borrow healthcare equipment for up to 90 days
• North Dakota Organ Transplant Fund, which provides help for individuals with transplant operation costs that insurance typically does not cover

Results

In 2025, NDAD accomplished the following:

• 6,005 pieces of healthcare equipment loaned to 3,141 people for a savings of $576,634
• Wheelchair-accessible van loaned to 148 individuals for 325 trips
• 4,380 prescriptions filled
• 2,093 medical trips funded and 95 hotel rooms provided for trips
• 470 pieces of medical equipment and 531 medical supplies purchased
• Funds totaling $250,742 awarded to 30 organizations to assist individuals with disabilities or those otherwise at risk
• 9,885 accessible rides funded for employment, shopping, and community events
• 5,164 hours personal attendant care provided

Challenges

NDAD continues to improve community and referral agency outreach efforts in order to increase awareness of services and programs offered through the organization.

Replication

NDAD takes input from community members and partner agencies to improve programs and services. It's also important to understand the financial challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and health concerns.

Contact Information